Jamaican football legend Allan “Skill” Cole is in desperate need of blood, according to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) where Cole is hospitalised with an undisclosed medical issue.

He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.

The 73-year-old is considered one of Jamaica’s greatest footballers, as he is the youngest player ever to represent the national senior team, having made his debut as a 15-year-old.

Cole represented Kingston College at the Under-16 schoolboy football level. He later moved to Vere Technical High in 1965 and made his mark as an outstanding midfielder, as he led the daCosta Cup with 38 goals. He would however lose the Olivier Shield to his old KC teammates Neville Oxford, Lloyd McLean and Franklyn Morant 3-0 on aggregate.

In 1971, when Brazil were exporting footballers all over the world, Cole was signed by Brazilian club Nautica, but left when he was asked to cut his dreadlocks.

Outside of football, Cole had a passion for horse racing and music, and was a very close friend of the legendary Bob Marley, who was also an avid lover of football.