Grays Athletic held a minute 's silence ahead of their game against Ware on the same day , while Oxford United players wore black armbands during their 3 – 3 draw with Accrington Stanley . Without a first-team match on the day of Cole 's death , Stevenage fans paid tribute to Cole by applauding on the 21st minute , the number he wore during his time at the club , during the club 's 2 – 1 FA Youth Cup win over Wigan Athletic . The following day , AFC Wimbledon players wore armbands with ' Mitch ' written on them , during their televised FA Cup tie against Milton Keynes Dons . Wimbledon striker Jack Midson dedicated his goal to Cole — " The goal meant a lot to me because my friend Mitchell Cole died " . Ahead of Oxford United 's first home match since Cole 's death , against Aldershot Town on 8 December 2012 , Oxford United players warmed up in commemorative T-shirts reading " Team Mates Forever – Cole 17 " . There was also a minute 's applause in tribute to Cole before the match . Norwich City striker Steve Morison paid tribute to Cole after scoring in the club 's League Cup quarter-final tie against Aston Villa on 11 December , lifting up his shirt in celebration to reveal a T-shirt — " RIP Mitchell Cole " . The pair had played together , and formed a successful partnership , during their time at Stevenage . Stevenage paid a host of tributes to Cole during their first home match since his death , a game against Crawley Town on 15 December , with all Stevenage players and staff wearing white T-shirts with " Cole – 21 " on the back prior to the match . A minute 's silence was held before kick-off , and both sets of supporters clapped during the 21st minute of the match . The following day , Cole was remembered , along with a number of sportspeople who died in 2012 , during the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony
2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award
Mitchell Cole