Afolabi Obafemi
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Afolabi Obafemi
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Afolabi Adedoyin Olamilekan Oluwatimilehin Obafemi{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |page=37 |title=Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13 |publisher=The Football League |date=18 May 2013 |accessdate=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012034401/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf |archivedate=12 October 2013 }}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1994|11|25}}
| birth_place = Walthamstow, London, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=486|edition=43rd}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2008
| youthyears2 = 2008–2011
| youthyears3 = 2011–2013
| youthclubs1 = Ryan
| youthclubs2 = Watford
| youthclubs3 = Leyton Orient
| years1 = 2012–2013
| clubs1 = Leyton Orient
| caps1 = 9
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = → Scarborough Athletic (loan)
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → AFC Sudbury (loan)
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2012
| clubs4 = → Bishop's Stortford (loan)
| caps4 = 1
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2013–2014
| clubs5 = Dagenham & Redbridge
| caps5 = 22
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2014
| clubs6 = Welling United
| caps6 = 5
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014
| clubs7 = Hayes & Yeading United
| caps7 = 3
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2014–2015
| clubs8 = Billericay Town
| caps8 =
| goals8 =
| years9 = 2015–2016
| clubs9 = Welling United
| caps9 = 12
| goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2015–2016
| clubs10 = → Bedford Town (loan)
| caps10 = 8
| goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2016
| clubs11 = Staines Town
| caps11 = 4
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2016–2018
| clubs12 = Wingate & Finchley
| caps12 = 51
| goals12 = 10
| years13 = 2018
| clubs13 = Barking
| caps13 = 4
| goals13 = 1
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| club-update = 14:05, 3 September 2018 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Afolabi Adedoyin Olamilekan Oluwatimilehin Obafemi (born 24 November 1994) is an English professional footballer who last played as a forward for Barking, having previously played in the Football League with Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge.
Career
=Early career=
Born in Walthamstow, London, Obafemi's first football club as a youngster was Ryan F.C. During his spell at Ryan, Obafemi netted a record 48 goals in one season. During that season, he netted 48 times for the Sunday team, and 42 times whilst playing for the Saturday team. Obafemi spent a total of five years at Ryan F.C. before being scouted by Watford F.C.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}{{Hugman|24776|accessdate=14 May 2015}}
Obafemi began his academy career with Watford's youth academy before switching to Leyton Orient. He was also a talented sprinter, winning the 100 metres final at the London Youth Games in 2009, in a time of 11.6 seconds.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/haverings-youth-take-gold-in-the-capitals-thrilling-miniolympics-6752026.html |title=Havering's youth take gold in the capital's thrilling 'mini-Olympics' |date=6 July 2009 |accessdate=5 May 2012 |publisher=London Evening Standard}}
=Leyton Orient=
In his first season in Orient's youth team, Obafemi was top scorer with 18 goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/9691196.Odubajo_handed_Orient_start/ |title=Odubajo handed Orient start |date=5 May 2012 |publisher=East London and West Essex Guardian}} In December 2011, he went on a work experience loan to Scarborough Athletic, playing in the 2–1 defeat at Barton Town Old Boys on 10 December.{{cite web|url=http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/barton_blues_for_boro_1_4052673 |title=Barton blues for Boro |date=12 December 2011 |accessdate=5 May 2012 |publisher=Scarborough Evening News}}
On 30 March 2012 he signed for A.F.C. Sudbury, again on work experience, making his debut as a late substitute in the 1–0 win over Harlow Town on 7 April.{{cite web |url=http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/pond-goal-keeps-hope-alive-for-sudbury-1-3724106 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919002504/http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/pond-goal-keeps-hope-alive-for-sudbury-1-3724106 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2012 |title=Pond goal keeps hope alive for Sudbury |date=12 April 2012 |accessdate=5 May 2012 |publisher=Suffolk Free Press }}
Obafemi made his full Orient debut on 5 May as a substitute in the 2–1 home win against Rochdale, the last game of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17878469 |title=Leyton Orient 2–1 Rochdale |date=5 May 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport}}
In August 2012 Obafemi went on loan to Conference South club Bishop's Stortford, and scored in his only game in the 1–0 win over Boston United,{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/pilgrims-suffer-narrow-defeat-650538.html |title=Pilgrims suffer narrow defeat |accessdate=27 August 2012 |publisher=Boston United F.C.}} before being recalled by the Os.
Obafemi was released by Orient on 24 April 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/pro-contracts-240413-789599.aspx |title=De'Reece Vanderhyde and Harry Lee are offered the chance to shine at the O's |date=24 April 2013 |accessdate=27 April 2013 |publisher=Leyton Orient |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231555/http://www.leytonorient.com/news/article/pro-contracts-240413-789599.aspx |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}
=Dagenham & Redbridge=
Dagenham & Redbridge announced the free transfer signing of Obafemi on 11 July 2013. He signed a one-year deal with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23271095|title=Afolabi Obafemi: Dagenham sign former Leyton Orient striker|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2013|accessdate=11 July 2013}} In June 2014, after not being offered a new deal, he returned to the club for pre-season training to try and impress and earn a new contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/daggers_begin_pre_season_training_1_3655694|title=Daggers begin pre-season training|publisher=Barking & Dagenham Post|date=25 June 2014|accessdate=30 July 2014}} However, during July he was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/daggers_boss_burnett_hopeful_on_cureton_deal_1_3697691|title=Daggers boss Burnett hopeful on Cureton deal|publisher=Barking & Dagenham Post|date=24 July 2014|accessdate=30 July 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050912/http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/daggers_boss_burnett_hopeful_on_cureton_deal_1_3697691|url-status=dead}}
=Hayes & Yeading=
In September 2014 he joined Hayes & Yeading United having been with Welling United, Maidstone United and Dulwich Hamlet on trial,{{cite web|url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=13469|title=Obafemi Joins Hayes & Yeading|publisher=Football Conference|date=20 September 2014|accessdate=21 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225630/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=13469|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} and made his debut as a substitute in the 1–1 draw at Hemel Hempstead Town on 20 September.{{cite web|url=http://www.hyufc.com/teams/1415reports/Hemel_away.htm |title=Hemel Hempstead Town 1–1 Hayes and Yeading United |date=20 September 2014 |accessdate=6 September 2015 |publisher=Hayes and Yeading United F.C.}} After making only three substitute appearances he moved to Billericay Town the following month, and stayed until the end of the season.
Obafemi signed for Welling United before the start of the 2014–15 season, and made his debut as a substitute in the 1–0 home win over Guiseley on 8 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33744829 |title=Welling United 1–0 Guiseley |date=8 August 2015 |accessdate=6 September 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for the club in the 2–1 home defeat by Braintree Town on 29 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34025473 |title=Welling United 1–2 Braintree Town |date=29 August 2015 |accessdate=6 September 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport}}
In December 2015 he joined Bedford Town on loan,{{cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/wings-forward-becomes-an-eagle-44146/ |title=Wings Fordward Becomes an Eagle |date=26 December 2015 |accessdate=9 January 2016 |publisher=Pitchero non league}} and he scored on his debut in the 2–1 defeat at home to AFC Rushden & Diamonds on 26 December.{{cite web|url=http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=17363 |title=Ex-Leyton Orient Youngster Obafemi Scores on Bedford Town Debut |date=26 December 2015 |accessdate=9 January 2016 |publisher=All Nigeria Soccer}}
Personal life
His younger brother Michael Obafemi is also a footballer.{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanfc.net/news/former-ryan-fc-player-michael-obafemi-makes-premier-league-debut--162/|title=Former Ryan FC player Michael Obafemi makes Premier League debut|publisher=Ryan F.C.|date=26 January 2018|accessdate=7 February 2018}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 1 September 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3" valign="center"|Leyton Orient
|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|65010|2011|accessdate=11 July 2013}} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012–13{{Soccerbase season|65010|2012|accessdate=11 July 2013}}
|League One |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Scarborough Athletic (loan)
| title = A. Obafemi - Aylesbury United | url = http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/afolabi-obafemi#playingcareer | publisher = Aylesbury United FC | accessdate = 11 July 2013}} |NCE Premier Division |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| AFC Sudbury (loan)
|title=Games played by Afolabi Obafemi in 2011/2012 for AFC Sudbury |url=http://www.afcsudbury.com/match-reports/07042012-afc-sudbury/ |publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury |accessdate=24 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927162458/http://www.afcsudbury.com/match-reports/07042012-afc-sudbury/ |archivedate=27 September 2013 }} |IL Division One North |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Bishop's Stortford (loan)
| title = Afolabi Obafemi Bishop's Stortford 2012/2013 player appearances | url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/afolabi-obafemi/242914/ | publisher = Soccerway | accessdate = 11 July 2013}} |1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Dagenham & Redbridge
|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|65010|2013|accessdate=11 July 2013}} |22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 3 | |
| Welling United
|5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||||
| Hayes & Yeading United
|3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| Welling United
|12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||
| Bedford Town (loan)
|SL Division One Central |8 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 2 | ||||
| Staines Town
|2016–17{{Cite news |title=Staines Town: Appearances - Afolabi Obafemi |url=http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/staines/appearances/422510 |publisher=Football Web Pages |accessdate=31 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101002245/http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/staines/appearances/422510 |archive-date=1 January 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} |IL Premier Division |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4" valign="center"|Wingate & Finchley
|2016–17{{Cite web |title=Wingate & Finchley: Appearances - Afolabi Obafemi |url=http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/wingatefinchley/appearances/437306 |publisher=Football Web Pages |accessdate=25 March 2017}} |IL Premier Division |10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance(s) in Isthmian League Premier Division Play-offs | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||
| 2017–18
|IL Premier Division |39 | 8 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5Three appearances in Alan Turvey Trophy, two in FA Trophy | 0 | 48 | 8 | ||
| 2018–19
|IL Premier Division |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!51 | 10 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | 61 | 10 | ||
| rowspan="1" valign="center"|Barking
|2018–19{{Cite web |title=First Team: Player Statistics |url=http://www.barking-fc.co.uk/stats.html |publisher=Barking Official Site |accessdate=3 September 2018}} |IL North Division |4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance in the Alan Turvey Trophy | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career totals
!122 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 143 | 19 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Obafemi, Afolabi}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Waltham Forest
Category:People from Walthamstow
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English people of Nigerian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players
Category:Scarborough Athletic F.C. players
Category:A.F.C. Sudbury players
Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players
Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players
Category:Hayes & Yeading United F.C. players
Category:Billericay Town F.C. players
Category:Welling United F.C. players
Category:Bedford Town F.C. players
Category:Staines Town F.C. players
Category:Wingate & Finchley F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Black British sportsmen