 |
| Fulham debut full-back Liam Rosenior |
Andrew Cole must be feeling like Old King Cole after being joined in the Fulham team by the SON of his former strike partner.
Full-back Liam Rosenior, whose dad Leroy is an ex-Fulham forward, made an impressive Premiership debut in Monday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester United
And Liam, who won the Sky TV man-of-the-match bubbly for cancelling out the threat of Ryan Giggs, confessed he had made his captain feel like a senior citizen. Cole, 33, formed a potent partnership with Rosenior Snr for Bristol City between 1992 and 1993.
But he never believed he would go on to play professionally with his pal’s son.
Liam, 20, said: “Andy Cole is a soccer legend, the second highest scorer in Premiership history. You can’t help but look up to him.
“I remember him playing alongside my dad when I was about five years old.
“I think it makes him feel old! When he first came to the club we spoke about him playing with dad and had a good laugh about it.”
Leroy, now boss of League One side Torquay, made the 450-mile round trip from Devon to see Liam’s Premiership bow.
And Liam, who replaced the banned Moritz Volz on Monday, said: “It’s a big club for my whole family. My grandfather was a fan.
“Making my debut against Manchester United with my dad watching from the Cottage balcony was really amazing.
“I was too young to see him play for Fulham but I’ve seen him on video. I know Fulham fans remember him well and, hopefully, in years to come they will remember me.
“Luckily, I’m not a nervous person but my first touch was over-hit. After that I settled down well.
“In a way I coudn’t lose against Giggs and Ronaldo because nothing was really expected of me but I put pressure on myself.
“My dad has never given me advice. He has let me be my own man and that’s probably why I’m such a relaxed person.
“It would be different if I had a dad who was always on my case.”
Liam’s Premiership debut was certainly more successful than his first Fulham start when he was sent off in the Carling Cup victory at Boston in September.
Proud dad Leroy, 40, said: “I drove up from Torquay in the afternoon and got back at 3.30am. I had matchsticks in my eyes at training but it was worth it.
“Liam is a very confident lad and I didn’t have any fears about him. He did brilliantly but I’m not surprised.”