Tributes continue to flow following the death of legendary Jamaican footballer Allan ‘’Skill’’ Cole who died on September 9.

Cole, who was laid to rest on Saturday, was more than just a footballer, but also a good and caring human being, according to his friend Derrick ‘’Shastri’’ Denniser.

Both Cole and Denniser played football for Jamaica’s national team in the 1970s.

“Allan was a good human being, a caring person,” Denniser said. “He was popular and was a very good friend of Bob Marley. That was why he came to play for Boys’ Town. He was a protector for youngsters. I was talking to one of his close friends who went to Campion College. Allan went to Campion for a short while. One of his classmates said Allan used to protect him when big boys came around. Even in his private life, Allan never sought the headlines, rather, the headlines sought him. At his home, when you would visited him, he would always have a glass of juice ready.”

Denniser remembers Cole as a speaker of truth even if it meant being at odds with people in authority.

“Allan was someone who quietly but confidently spoke his truth,” he said. “He never got on well with authorities because he always stood up for what he thought was right. I don’t think Allan ever got a national award although it probably was offered to him. He said there were others who were more deserving. Allan was a defender of the defenceless.”

Denniser said that it was a surprise to him that Cole had health issues because up to two years ago, he exercised religiously and observed a relatively healthy diet.

“He was a healthy-living person who exercised regularly,” Denniser said. “Playing against him at the club level, I played midfield, so I was both an attacker and a defender. Playing against Allan, I had to be more concentrated on defending. Allan, even if he doesn’t score a goal, would set up goals. He was incomparable. They described him as a midfielder but in those days Allan was more a forward. He was a skilful attacker. He read the game well. He was two to three passes ahead of everybody else. I played with him on the national team and then at Boys’ Town.

“Allan was a Rastafarian who had certain beliefs. At that time they used to tease Rastas because they said they didn’t eat salt. Allan told them no and said you have to have nutrients. When he came to Boys’ Town, he trained well. A game lasts for 90 minutes and Allan would sprint the whole game. Even up to two years ago, Allan still went to Wickie Wackie Beach in Bull Bay to exercise and would go to the market himself and buy his vegetables,” Denniser said as he made the point that sickness is a respector of no man, even if they eat healthily.

The late Jamaican legendary footballer Allan “Skill” Cole.

Late former national footballer Allan “Skill” Cole