Former Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock has revealed he once went out onto the pitch with the intention of breaking ex-Manchester United forward Andy Cole’s leg.
Cole didn’t get on well with Ruddock’s friend Teddy Sheringham. Cole took an exception to Sheringham ignoring him and not shaking his hand when making his debut in an England vs Uruguay match in 1995.
When Liverpool reserves met Manchester United reserves at Anfield in 1996, Ruddock purposely injured the striker, breaking both of his legs with a horror challenge.
For years, the defender always maintained that Cole’s awkward landing caused his double fractures, but has now revealed that he intentionally injured him.
Ruddock told TalkSport:
Basically, I loved kicking Andy Cole, I know it’s not big or clever but in one tackle I did break both of his legs. I didn’t mean to break both legs but if I’m honest, I went out with the intention to break one. It wasn’t even a free kick, it was play on. It was excellent because he let the ball run past him and I absolutely destroyed him. Again, I know it’s not big and it’s not clever, but it was great. I’m great friends with Teddy Sheringham and if Teddy Sheringham didn’t like him, then I don’t like him.
