Romuald Boco

Romuald Boco (born 8 July 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in France, he has represented Benin at full international level.

Romuald Boco
Personal information
Full name Romuald Boco[1]
Date of birth (1985-07-08) 8 July 1985[1]
Place of birth Bernay, France
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
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)
2013–2014 Plymouth Argyle 27 (1)
2014–2015 Chesterfield 13 (1)
2015 Bharat FC 20 (0)
2015–2016 Portsmouth 4 (0)
2015 → Havant & Waterlooville (loan) 3 (0)
2016–2017 Accrington Stanley 41 (8)
2017–2018 Leyton Orient 17 (2)
Total 351 (44)
International career
2004–2013 Benin[2] 52 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Accrington Stanley

Born in Bernay, Eure, Boco signed for Accrington Stanley just before the 2005 transfer deadline from Niort.[3] He had the honour of scoring the first two Football League goals for Stanley, in a 2–1 win against Barnet.[4][5] 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, due to Homesickness.[5][6]

On 30 January 2016, Accrington Stanley announced that Boco had rejoined the club until Season End. He will take retake his 26 shirt as worn in his original stint with the club.[7]

Sligo Rovers

On 11 February 2008, he signed for Sligo Rovers of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

His new manager Paul Cook,[5] who he previously played with at Accrington Stanley, was happy with his latest signing ahead of his team's 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.[8] 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.[9] Boco left Sligo when his contract expired at the end of the 2009 season.[5]

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 return

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 club's "final" offer.

Despite talks of the club and Boco agreeing terms, on 23 February 2011 Paul Cook announced that Boco would not be returning to the Showgrounds for the coming 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 Sligo.

After consistently impressing during Sligo's pre-season fixtures, Boco scored his first goal back in the red of Sligo during the team's 2–0 win over Glentoran in the Setanta Cup Quarter Final first leg.[10]

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,[11][12] and made his debut in the club's first game of the new season at Southend United.[13]

Chesterfield

Romuald signed for Chesterfield on 8 August 2014 on a non-contract basis.[14] This once again reunited him with manager Paul Cook who he previously played under at Sligo and Accrington. Boco scored on his debut against Leyton Orient in a 2–1 victory for the Spireites.[15]

Bharat FC

On 20 January 2015, Boco signed for Indian I-League newcomers Kalyani Bharat FC,[16] as the club's marquee player.[17][18] He debuted for the Pune based side against Dempo SC. He has appeared in all 20 league matches in the 2014–15 I-League season, under the coaching of Stuart Watkiss.

International career

Boco was part of the Beninese 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of their group in the first round of the competition.

Boco and Benin finished third in 2005 African Youth Championship. He also scored a goal against Ivory Coast in the tournament.[19] He has also represented Benin U20 team at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship under the coaching of Serge Devèze and appeared in all three group matches. Benin finished third in the Group A and bowed out of the tournament.[20][21]

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.[5]

He scored his first and only goal for the national team on 11 February 2009 against Algeria in a friendly match, that ended as their 2–1 defeat.[22] Between 2004 and 2013, Boco earned 52 caps for Benin internationally, scoring a goal.

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chamois Niortais 2004–05[23] Ligue 2 20——20
Accrington Stanley 2005–06[24] Conference Premier 304——1[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]0314
2006–07[25] League Two 3230020—1[lower-alpha 1]0353
2007–08[26] League Two 1100010—1[lower-alpha 1]0130
Total 7370030—30797
Sligo Rovers 2008[23] League of Ireland 286—286
2009[27] League of Ireland 2922[lower-alpha 3]0312
Total 578310020629
Burton Albion (loan) 2009–10[28] League Two 80————80
Sligo Rovers 2010[27] League of Ireland 10431—135
Shanghai East Asia 2011[23] Chinese League One 221221
Sligo Rovers 2012[27] League of Ireland 22200302[lower-alpha 3]0272
Accrington Stanley 2012–13[29] League Two 42103000—004510
Plymouth Argyle 2013–14[30] League Two 2714020—1[lower-alpha 1]0341
Chesterfield 2014–15[31] League One 1315010—00191
Bharat FC 2015[27] I-League 20000———200
Portsmouth 2015–16[32] League Two 4010———50
Havant and Waterlooville (loan) 2015–16[27] National League South 3000——1040
Accrington Stanley 2015–16[32] League Two 11200——1[lower-alpha 4]0122
2016–17[33] League Two 3064120—2[lower-alpha 1]0387
Total 41841200030509
Leyton Orient 2017–18 National League 17210——–182
Career total 36144243110408040847
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Source omits FA Trophy appearances
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance in League Two play-offs

International
Score and result list Benin's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Boco goal.
International goal scored by Romuald Boco[34]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
111 February 2009Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria Algeria1–21–2Friendly

Honours

Benin U20

Accrington Stanley

Sligo Rovers

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. Mamrud, Roberto (23 July 2023). "Benin - Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. "Stanley swoop for late signings". BBC Sport. 1 September 2005. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  4. "Accrington 2–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 12 August 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  5. Wilson, Jonathan (20 January 2010). "Benin and Rommy Boco live by faint hopes at Africa Cup of Nations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  6. "Homesick Boco leaves Accrington". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  7. "He's back! – Accrington Stanley". accringtonstanley.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  8. "Sligo Rovers 3–1 Cobh Ramblers". RTÉ Sport. 5 April 2008. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
  9. "Irish downturn hits Benin player". BBC Sport. 5 June 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  10. "BBC Sport". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  11. Parsons, Chris (17 July 2013). "Green Rommy". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  12. "John Sheridan pips his former club Chesterfield to the signing of Rommy Boco". The Herald. 19 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  13. "Plymouth Argyle start new season with defeat at Southend". The Herald. 4 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  14. "Chesterfield sign Daniel Johnson and Romauld Boco". BBC Sport. 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  15. "Leyton Orient 1–2 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  16. Bharat FC acquires Boco of Benin Archived 16 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine Business Standard. Retrieved 26 March 2021
  17. "Romuald Boco confirmed as Bharat FC's marquee signing". Bharat FC. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  18. "Boco joins Bharat FC as marquee player". The Hindu. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  19. "African U-20 Championship 2005". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  20. FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 Archived 21 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine FIFA.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021
  21. RSSSF > FIFA World Youth Championship > 2005 Archived 4 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine RSSSF. Retrieved 26 March 2021
  22. "Romuald Boco with Benin national football team: games and statistics". National-Football-Teams.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  23. "NFT profile". National Football-Teams. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  24. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  25. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  26. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  27. "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  28. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  29. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  30. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  31. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  32. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  33. "Games played by Romuald Boco in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  34. "Algeria vs. Benin 2-1". soccerway.com. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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