England v Republic of Ireland: confusion reigns before Roy Hodgson confirms Ashley Cole as England captain Yet there is displeasure in some quarters of the FA that Cole is also to be honoured with the captaincy, particularly because of his long list of misdemeanours. At a time when the FA seeks role models to present the right image to the grass-roots game, Cole is hardly a paragon of virtue. England have had controversial choices as captain before, and Tony Adams took the armband a number of times after a spell inside for drink-driving, but the focus has been sharpened because of the FA's new Code of Conduct which all players must now sign up to. When Hodgson asked Cole about the captaincy at St George's Park this week, the left-back agreed as long as he did not have to talk to the media. Cole has been engaged in a lengthy cold war with the media, particularly the press, because of front-page stories about his private life and back-page censure about his on-field behaviour. By merry coincidence, the FA had moved Tuesday's briefing to Sopwell House, in St Albans, returning to the scene of so many seismic moments in England history. There have been plots about strikes here, rampant dissent towards FA executives here, and England's last visit to the old home of the Mountbatten family was for the defenestration of Steve McClaren after that soggy night against Croatia. The FA's official itinerary indicated that "manager and captain" would be present. Hodgson, a genteel figure frequently bemused by the heat generated by England, wandered into the Sir Francis Bacon suite of Sopwell House and initially informed television reporters that Cole would lead the team out "but Frank is still remains (sic) captain of the team - I'm afraid that's a bit more complicated than you maybe would have liked it to be, but that's the way it is"." People were unsure then who was captain. It sounded like Lampard. Hodgson was then ushered into the Prince Louis suite to talk to radio before strolling back down the corridor to the Nicholas Breakspear suite to chat to the print media. "The England captain tomorrow night is Ashley Cole,"" were Hodgson's opening words. While he was in the Breakspear suite, TV requested to the FA that Hodgson return to them to clear up exactly who was captain. The FA first declined before realising some clarification was necessary. Announcing Cole as captain was always going to be a tricky public-relations exercise. Hodgson had to deal with a range of questions, particularly Cole's toxic tweet about the FA after his evidence was disputed when his club-mate, John Terry, was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. Ensconced in the Breakspear, Hodgson insisted that the FA bigwigs being presented to Cole this evening had no hard feelings about Cole's tweet. "That was something that was dealt with quite swiftly at the time, and personally between the chairman of the FA David Bernstein and Ashley Cole,"" said Hodgson. It was water under the bridge. It's not something we've taken into consideration at all. He's a player who's been a fantastic servant not only for two football clubs and England, playing his 102nd game. I find him a charming person, a fantastic footballer, delighted to work with him every day. Hodgson sounded surprised at the storm brewing over the armband. "It always amazes me that such an event can cause such consternation,"" said the England manager. It was pointed out to Hodgson that many supporters take the armband incredibly seriously. "We do too,"" emphasised Hodgson. I would be disappointed if you're suggesting that we, Frank, myself, the FA don't take the armband seriously but we have to accept that on occasion the armband does change around. The established pecking order is Steven Gerrard is captain, Lampard vice-captain and then Wayne Rooney. "The other players, like Frank, were happy to let Ashley have this honour,"" said Hodgson. Frank has graciously stood aside to let Ashley have this honour. Ashley wanted to be captain of the team on the night of the game, lead the team on the field, do his talking as he always does with his feet. Frank is here to fulfil the other functions. You all know Ashley's reticence to come out and speak publicly with you."" It is all rather sad with fault on both sides. For all his legitimate frustration with newspaper fascination with his private life, Cole has to consider certain realities. Other England footballers have endured painful headlines, over prolonged periods, yet emerged with reputation intact. David Beckham had effigies of him hung up after his St-Etienne dismissal but brilliantly rebuilt his image and is now a national icon. Rio Ferdinand had a spectacular falling-out with the media after his ban for missing a drugs test but now has many friends in the media. Cole is also letting down his England team-mates by heaping more media duties on them. Cole's fine England career deserves to be celebrated but he does make it so hard to like him.