Career
Born in Wellington, Cotton came through the youth ranks at Colchester United, making his Football League debut against Portuguese Vale on 24 April 1978 in a 3–0 victory, coming on as a substitute for Mick Packer. He made 37 appearances for the U"s between 1977 and 1982, scoring once, the only goal of the game in a victory against Hull City on 17 March 1981 at Boothferry Park. His final game for the club came just over one year after he scored that goal in a 1–1 home draw with Crewe Alexandra on 30 March 1982.
He appeared for Chelmsford City after leaving Colchester.
