Another full weekend of FA Cup action is upon us, a competition very close to the heart of Ashley Cole.
After all, the former Arsenal and Chelsea star won it on no fewer than seven occasions.
It all started in 2002 as Cole played his part in Arsenal winning a domestic double, and they would go on to lift the coveted trophy in two of the next three seasons.
Four more cup triumphs followed at Chelsea in six seasons between 2007 and 2012, making Cole the most successful player in the competition’s history.
He is two clear of ex-Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Petr Cech, while 21 players have won the FA Cup four times.
But does one stand out above the rest?
Ashley Cole (centre) won the FA Cup seven times, making him the competition’s most successful player
He won the trophy three times with Arsenal, and then on four occasions with Chelsea
Cole has revealed it was his fifth triumph against Everton in 2009 that was the most special
Cole revealed in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport that it was his fifth win – a 2-1 victory over Everton in 2009 – that means the most to him as that put him in the history books before he went on to extend his record.
Speaking ahead of the latest episode of his new FA Cup podcast, Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic, that he hosts with former team-mate Joe Cole, the former left back said: ‘I think it was the fifth one, that was the most special one.
‘To be a young child watching the FA Cup and seeing so many giant-killings. Growing up in that era where there was an English core and they loved and respected that trophy and understood the enormity of what it means to English football.
‘To then be in the record books for beating that record, it was a dream come true. I never, ever thought I would have made it to a first FA Cup and then five more down the line you’re the actual record holder. It means a lot being English and understanding the heritage of the competition.
‘Doing it with two clubs which is something else that’s special, and then being in the record books for being the holder. Will it ever be beat? I’m not too sure who’s close at the moment if they’re still playing or still about so hopefully it will stay in the record books for a few more years and I can take some more limelight.’
This season’s FA Cup has reached the last-32 stage, with many of the usual suspects in the hunt for the trophy.
But Cole thinks that could change this weekend as he believes Newcastle could be set for a shock exit.
The Magpies booked their place in the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday as they secured an emphatic 4-0 aggregate win over Arsenal.
Yet Cole feels the high-flying Premier League club could be quickly brought back down to earth when they face League One leaders Birmingham City on Saturday evening.
Cole worked as an assistant coach under Wayne Rooney at Birmingham last season, and believes his former club are capable of troubling Eddie Howe’s men.
Cole was speaking ahead of the latest episode of his FA Cup podcast which he hosts with Joe Cole, while Stuart Pearce made a guest appearance
Eddie Howe led Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday but Cole thinks they could be in for a rude awakening at Birmingham
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Asked whether he could see any upsets on the cards this weekend, Cole replied: ‘I think I’d have to go Birmingham-Newcastle. That’s the one that obviously I’ll be keeping my eye on being a former coach of Birmingham.
‘They’re still in my heart so I think that’s going to be a great tie, a great atmosphere and hopefully we can see a little bit of a giant-killing.
‘Newcastle, I really enjoy watching them play. They play with so much energy and fight and desire and speed. The way they attack. I would like to see how Birmingham stand up to that and do they play with that bravery to show what they’re about.
‘Yes they’ve spent money but the progress is there to be seen and hopefully we can see a giant-killing on Saturday.’
Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole, brought to you by Carling, the official sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup. You can watch the show on YouTube and Spotify or listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
