Cole Palmer’s father is Jermaine Palmer, a dental equipment repairer from Manchester who played a central role in his son’s development into a Premier League and England star. Without his father’s daily dedication, Cole has said he “probably wouldn’t be a footballer.”
Who Is Jermaine Palmer?
Jermaine Palmer was born in 1974 in Manchester to parents who had emigrated from St Kitts and Nevis as part of the Windrush generation. He works as a dental equipment repairer, a profession far removed from professional football.
Jermaine played Sunday league football for Blackboy FC in Manchester, describing himself as a “pub football legend.” He stopped playing after a knee injury, but his love for the game left a lasting impression on his young son.
A Footballing Influence from the Start
Jermaine spotted Cole’s talent when his son was around four years old and quickly began instilling a love for the game. His approach was not about formal coaching but about daily practice and shared passion.
Cole would accompany his father to Sunday league matches, sitting on a bag of balls on the sidelines wrapped in one of Jermaine’s rain jackets. Later, the pair would train together at Hollyhedge Park in Wythenshawe every single day, regardless of weather.
Jermaine’s commitment was remarkable given his dislike of cold weather. Cole recalled that his father’s family is from the Caribbean and “he hates going out in the cold. But he’d do it for me anyway.”
Caribbean Heritage and Family Roots
The Palmer family’s roots trace back to St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Cole’s grandfather, Sterry Cole, was born on the island and was initially left behind when his parents moved to England in 1960 as part of the Windrush generation.
Sterry eventually joined his parents in the UK, where he met and married Cole’s grandmother. Jermaine was born in Manchester in 1974, but the family’s Caribbean connection remains strong.
Cole honors this heritage by wearing the St Kitts and Nevis flag on his football boots alongside the England flag. Jermaine visited the island for the first time in January 2024 and reported that locals were “going crazy” about Cole’s success.Jermaine Palmer Quick Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jermaine Palmer |
| Born | 1974 in Manchester, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Heritage | Afro-Kittitian (parents from St Kitts and Nevis) |
| Profession | Dental equipment repairer / dental engineer |
| Football Background | Amateur Sunday League player for Blackboy FC, Manchester |
| Spouse | Marie Palmer (married February 1994) |
| Children | Cole Palmer (son), Hallie Palmer (daughter) |
| Years Active (Football) | Amateur career, approximately 20 years in Sunday league |
| Notable Influence | Trained Cole daily from age 4 at Hollyhedge Park, Wythenshawe |
| Famous Quote About Him | “Without my dad I probably wouldn’t be a footballer.” (Cole Palmer) |
| Son’s Key Awards | PFA Young Player of the Year 2024; Premier League Player of the Season 2024 |
Note: Net worth, education details, and social media accounts for Jermaine Palmer are not publicly documented, so those fields are omitted rather than estimated.
Guiding Key Career Decisions
Jermaine played a crucial role during Cole’s teenage years at Manchester City, particularly when concerns arose about his height. When a bone measurement suggested Cole would only reach 5ft 9in, Jermaine refused to accept the prediction as final.
He and academy director Jason Wilcox continued supporting Cole through the academy, “just hoping for the growth spurt.” Jermaine’s faith was justified, as Cole eventually grew to a height suitable for professional football.
The move from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2023 was another pivotal moment. According to Jermaine, Cole never actually wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium. He said Cole “thought he’d be at Man City all his life” and preferred a loan move, but when City refused, he felt he had to leave permanently.
A Supportive Presence Today
Jermaine remains closely involved in his son’s career. Cole has publicly credited his father as the foundation of his football education, saying: “Without my dad I probably wouldn’t be a footballer. He did numerous hours with me every night, working with me to try and make me a professional footballer.”
Cole has even compared his father’s influence to that of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. “I don’t like admitting it to him, but dad taught me everything about football growing up. He was Pep before I met Pep.”
Jermaine has also identified what he believes sets Cole apart from other players. Speaking on Amazon’s documentary series, he described Cole’s calm demeanor as his “superpower”: “I think his super power is he knows it’s just a game. It’s just football.”
The father-son bond remains visible in public moments. Cole posted a Father’s Day tribute on Instagram in June 2025, sharing throwback photos including one of him sitting on Jermaine’s lap as a young boy. Another photo showed Jermaine proudly holding Cole’s PFA Young Player of the Year trophy.
Cole’s PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2023-24 season recognized a remarkable first campaign at Chelsea, during which he scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 34 Premier League appearances. He became the third Chelsea player to win the award after Scott Parker and Eden Hazard.
A Father’s Lasting Legacy
Jermaine Palmer’s contribution to his son’s career extends far beyond genetics. He provided the daily training, the sacrifices, the patience during uncertain years, and the emotional support that allowed Cole to develop into one of English football’s brightest talents.
From the Sunday league sidelines of Blackboy FC to the Premier League stadiums where Cole now performs, Jermaine has been a constant presence. His son’s achievements, including the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a goal in the Euro 2024 final, represent the fulfillment of years of shared work and belief.Who is Cole Palmer’s father?
Cole Palmer’s father is Jermaine Palmer, a dental equipment repairer from Manchester who played amateur Sunday league football. Jermaine has been a constant presence throughout his son’s career, from early training sessions to celebrating milestone achievements like the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Was Jermaine Palmer a professional footballer?
No, Jermaine was not a professional player. Cole has joked that his father was “just a Sunday League player,” though he also credits his dad with teaching him everything about football growing up. Jermaine’s own playing career ended after a knee injury.
Where is Cole Palmer’s family from?
Cole was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, but his father’s side of the family has roots in St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. His grandfather, Sterry Cole, was born on the island before moving to England. Cole honors this heritage by wearing the St Kitts and Nevis flag on his boots.
Did Jermaine Palmer influence Cole’s move to Chelsea?
Yes, according to Jermaine, Cole never wanted to leave Manchester City permanently. Jermaine revealed that Cole hoped for a loan move, but when City refused, he felt he had to leave. Jermaine has described the Chelsea transfer as a “sliding doors” moment in his son’s career.
What does Jermaine Palmer say is Cole’s “superpower”?
Jermaine believes Cole’s calm, nonchalant demeanor sets him apart from other players. He described it by saying Cole knows “it’s just a game. It’s just football”. This composed attitude has become a defining characteristic of Cole’s playing style.
