Romuald Boco
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Romuald Boco[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 8 July 1985[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Bernay, France | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Plymouth Argyle | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003–2004 | Chamois Niortais B | 0 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | Chamois Niortais | 2 | (0) |
| 2005–2008 | Accrington Stanley | 73 | (7) |
| 2008–2010 | Sligo Rovers | 57 | (8) |
| 2010 | Burton Albion | 8 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Sligo Rovers | 10 | (4) |
| 2011 | Shanghai East Asia | 22 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Sligo Rovers | 22 | (2) |
| 2012–2013 | Accrington Stanley | 42 | (10) |
| 2013– | Plymouth Argyle | 22 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004– | Benin | 48 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:20, 25 January 2014 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Romuald Boco (born 8 July 1985) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle. He has played in the Football League for Accrington Stanley and Burton Albion. Boco has represented Benin at full international level.
Career
Accrington Stanley
Born in Bernay, Eure, Boco signed for Accrington Stanley just before the 2005 transfer deadline from Niort.[2] Boco had the honour of scoring the first two Football League goals for Stanley, in a 2–1 win against Barnet.[3][4] He instantly became a favourite among the fans who stated they were "loco for Boco.".
After returning from the 2008 African Cup of Nations, he requested his contract be terminated.[5][4]
Sligo Rovers
On 11 February 2008, he signed for Sligo Rovers of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
His new manager Paul Cook,[4] who he previously played with at Accrington Stanley, was happy with his latest signing ahead of his teams new campaign, "I didn't think I'd get him, I thought that he would be out of our reach but, thankfully we have secured him," said Cook.
"I don't want to put pressure on him, but I'm certain that the fans will see that he is the real deal and with the other signings we've made, I believe that we're in for a very exciting season."
He scored his first league goal for Sligo Rovers in a 3–1 win over Cobh Ramblers.[6] He helped Rovers to qualification for the UEFA Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.
On 7 June 2009, he expressed concern at the financial situation within the League of Ireland in an interview with the BBC.[7] Boco left Sligo when his contract expired at the end of the 2009 season.[4]
Boco was on trial with Doncaster Rovers in a bid to earn a contract with the championship club, however nothing materialised and he then went on trial with Football League Two side Burton Albion after his contract with Sligo Rovers ran out and he decided not to sign a new one.
Burton Albion
Boco joined Burton Albion on a deal until the end of the season on 24 February 2010.
Sligo Rovers
Boco rejoined Sligo Rovers on 30 July 2010 signing a contract which will expire by the end of the 2010 season. He played a major part in helping Rovers win the 2010 FAI Ford Cup after being changed position a right or left winger. When he first signed for Sligo Rovers he was a striker that was sometimes used as a centre midfielder and then changed to right-back. on 23 November, Paul Cook admitted that it's doubtful Boco will signed a new contract after turning down the clubs "final" offer.
Despite talks of the club and Boco agreeing terms, on February the 23rd 2011, Paul Cook, announced that Boco would not be returning to the Showgrounds for the upcoming season.
Boco then went on to join Shanghai East Asia on a deal until the end of the season. After a promising first season in China, Boco rejoined Sligo Rovers on 19 December 2011 after talks with Paul Cook.
The move would be his third spell for the Bit o' Red.
After consistently impressing during the Bit o' Red's pre-season fixtures, Boco scored his first goal back in the red of Sligo during the teams 2–0 win over Glentoran in the Setanta Cup Quarter Final first leg.[8]
On 31 August 2012, it was announced Boco had re-joined former club Accrington Stanley on a one-year deal.
Accrington Stanley
He made a good start to his second stint at the Crown Ground, scoring vital goals in order to keep Stanley's League status. He has built a reputation for his tireless work rate and running. He has the perfect start to his second stint at Accrington scoring his first goal away to Cheltenham Town in September. Two more goals followed away to Chesterfield, Rochdale, Barnet, Fleetwood Town, Bradford City, Chesterfield again and Rochdale again. He is currently the top scorer for Accrington during this season.
He has once again become a firm fan favorite with his work rate and has been nominated for player of the year award.
Plymouth Argyle
Boco signed a one-year contract with Plymouth Argyle in July 2013,[9][10] and made his debut in the club's first game of the new season at Southend United.[11]
International career
Boco was part of the Beninese 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of their group in the first round of competition.
Boco and Benin finished third in 2005 African Youth Championship. The Under-20's went on to challenge in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. Boco captained Benin in the 2008 African Nations Cup in what was only the country's second time qualifying for the competition, and was part of the Beninese 2010 African Nations Cup team.[4] He is also the captain of the national team and is commonly known as the King of Benin.
Honours
Accrington Stanley
Sligo Rovers
Career statistics
Club
Correct as of 7 November 2011.
| Season | Club | League | League | FAI Cup | League Cup | Europe | Setanta Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 2008 | Sligo Rovers | League of Ireland | 28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 7 |
| 2009 | 29 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 | ||
| 2010 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| Total | 67 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 15 | ||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
- ↑ "Stanley swoop for late signings". BBC Sport. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
- ↑ "Accrington 2–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Wilson, Jonathan (20 January 2010). "Benin and Rommy Boco live by faint hopes at Africa Cup of Nations". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ↑ "Homesick Boco leaves Accrington". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
- ↑ "Sligo Rovers 3–1 Cobh Ramblers". RTÉ Sport. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
- ↑ "Irish downturn hits Benin player". BBC Sport. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ↑ "BBC Sport".
- ↑ Parsons, Chris (17 July 2013). "Green Rommy". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ↑ "John Sheridan pips his former club Chesterfield to the signing of Rommy Boco". The Herald. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ↑ "Plymouth Argyle start new season with defeat at Southend". The Herald. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
External links
- Romuald Boco career stats at Soccerbase
- Romuald Boco at National-Football-Teams.com
- 2010 African Cup of Nations Profile
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