Leo Roget
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Leo Roget
| image =
| fullname = Leo Thomas Earl Roget{{Hugman|17080|accessdate=30 December 2017}}
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|8|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ilford, England
| position = Defender
| youthyears1 = 1990–1995
| youthclubs1 = Southend United
| years1 = 1995–2001
| years2 = 2001
| years3 = 2001–2002
| years4 = 2002
| years5 = 2002–2004
| years6 = 2004
| years7 = 2004–2006
| years8 = 2007
| years9 = 2008
| years10 = 2008
| years11 = 2008–2009
| years12 = 2010–2011
| clubs1 = Southend United
| clubs2 = → Stockport County (loan)
| clubs3 = Stockport County
| clubs4 = → Reading (loan)
| clubs5 = Brentford
| clubs6 = Rushden & Diamonds
| clubs7 = Oxford United
| clubs8 = St Albans City
| clubs9 = Harlow Town
| clubs10 = Braintree Town
| clubs11 = Rushden & Diamonds
| clubs12 = Harlow Town
| caps1 = 122
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 0
| caps3 = 23
| goals3 = 1
| caps4 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 29
| goals5 = 0
| caps6 = 17
| goals6 = 0
| caps7 = 68
| goals7 = 4
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 0
| caps10 = 2
| goals10 = 0
| caps11 = 1
| goals11 = 0
| caps12 = 21
| goals12 = 0
}}
Leo Thomas Earl Roget (born 1 August 1977) is an English retired professional footballer made over 120 appearances as a defender in the Football League for Southend United. He also played league football for Oxford United, Stockport County, Brentford, Rushden & Diamonds, Reading and was noted for his "pace, mobility and strength in the air".{{Cite web |title=Leo Roget |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/leo-roget-5334/ |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=11v11.com}} A "bad boy" player,{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Bad boy Roget in more hot water |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5497961.Soccer__Bad_boy_Roget_in_more_hot_water/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Roget received 60 yellow cards and was sent off seven times during his professional career. He fought one professional bout as a boxer in December 2013.
Career
= Southend United =
== 1990–1999 ==
A defender, Roget joined Southend United as a schoolboy in 1990, at the age of 13.{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Roget keen on Park life |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5493330.Soccer__Roget_keen_on_Park_life/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Why Roget rejected deal |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5504483.Soccer__Why_Roget_rejected_deal/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} He signed his first professional contract on 5 July 1995 and make eight appearances and scored one goal during the 1995–96 First Division season.{{Cite web |title=Injury nightmare is over for Southend kingpin |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7969654.Injury_nightmare_is_over__for_Southend_kingpin/?ref=arc |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=York Press |language=en}} Roget broke into the team on a regular basis during the 1996–97 season and his form was such that he accepted the invitation of a trial with Dutch club Feyenoord. Despite the Shrimpers' relegation to the Second Division in May 1997,{{Cite web |title=Southend United Complete History |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/southend-united/history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090556/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/southend-united/history |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Statto.com}} he signed a new three-year contract to remain at Roots Hall.{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Roget desperate to get back into action for Blues |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5537003.Soccer__Roget_desperate_to_get_back_into_action_for_Blues/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}}
Early in the 1997–98 season, Roget damaged discs in his spine and did not return to fitness until April 1998, by which time Southend were in the thick of another relegation scrap. After failing to stave off relegation to the Third Division, Roget began the 1998–99 season as a regular, but a hamstring strain suffered one month into the campaign kept him out of action until December 1998. He appeared as a bit-part player through to the end of the season and admitted that "at times my mental attitude towards the game hasn't been right".
== 1999–2001 ==
Entering the final year of his contract,{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Roget's season of reckoning |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5524866.Soccer__Roget_s_season_of_reckoning/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Roget was a regular during the first half of the 1999–00 season alongside Simon Coleman in central defence. He lost his place in the team in December 1999, when after a 3–1 home defeat to Barnet, he "stormed into the visitors' changing room and broke their stereo with an angry kick",{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Blues defender Roget in bust-up |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5519220.Soccer__Blues_defender_Roget_in_bust_up/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} which he later denied.{{Cite web |title=The day Leo Roget saw red for Southend United against Oxford United when it was really Jeroen Boere |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11454582.The_day_Leo_Roget_saw_red_for_Southend_United_against_Oxford_United_when_it_was_really_Jeroen_Boere/ |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Roget regained his place in the team in January 2000 and finished a mid-table 1999–00 season with 40 appearances and two goals.
Roget rejected the offer of a new one-year contract during the 2000 off-season and as he was too young to be given a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, he would remain at Roots Hall on a week-to-week contract during the 2000–01 season. He was again a regular in central defence alongside Phil Whelan, though new manager David Webb questioned in October 2000 "if he (Roget) is only playing so well because he hasn't got a contract at the moment".{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Webb keen to retain Roget |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5503168.Soccer__Webb_keen_to_retain_Roget/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Having already accumulated seven yellow cards during the season, Webb was forced into showdown talks with "bad boy" Roget in January 2001. A 3–0 defeat to Halifax Town on 17 February 2001 would be Roget's final Southend United appearance, as he was dropped by David Webb shortly after.{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Reasons to replace Blues back pair |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5495186.Soccer__Reasons_to_replace_Blues_back_pair/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} He departed the club on loan on 1 March 2001 and on a permanently one month later.{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Roget joins Stockport in £50,000 move |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5492937.Soccer__Roget_joins_Stockport_in___50_000_move/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Roget made 139 appearances and scored 10 goals during nearly six seasons as a professional at Roots Hall.{{Soccerbase|id=9004}}
=Stockport County =
On 1 March 2001, Roget joined First Division club Stockport County on a one-month loan,{{Cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Roget has the time to impress |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/roget-has-the-time-to-impress-1173696 |access-date=29 December 2017}} with a view to a permanent deal.{{Cite web |title=Soccer: Roget poised for Stockport switch |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/5494795.Soccer__Roget_poised_for_Stockport_switch/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} He had been a target for the Hatters prior to the start of the 2000–01 season, but the club baulked at Southend United's valuation. He instantly went into the starting lineup and after the loan expired,{{Cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Roget makes the move north |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/roget-makes-the-move-north-1173796 |access-date=29 December 2017}} the move was made permanent for an initial £50,000 fee. Roget finished the 2000–01 season with eight appearances.
Roget was a regular in defence during the 2001–02 season and scored his first goal for the club with a late penalty in a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield United on 18 September 2001. Roget fell out of favour under manager Carlton Palmer in February 2002 was replaced in the team by new signing Dave Challinor.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Chris |title=Played for both: Catching up with former Blues and Stockport defender Leo Roget |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/20056786.played-catching-former-blues-stockport-defender-leo-roget/ |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=Echo |language=en}} After turning down a £70,000 move to Chinese club Red Heart K,{{Cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Roget rejects a move to China |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/roget-rejects-a-move-to-china-1175565 |access-date=29 December 2017}} he joined Second Division club Reading on loan until the end of the 2001–02 season.{{Cite news |date=5 September 2002 |title=Transfers – February, 2002 |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2239124.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} He made his only appearance for the club with a start in a 0–0 draw with Swindon Town, in which three players were sent off.{{Cite news |date=14 February 2002 |title=Swindon 0–0 Reading |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1819958.stm |access-date=30 December 2017}} Roget was an unused substitute during the remainder of the season's matches and was part of the squad which sealed automatic promotion to the First Division on the final day of the season.{{Cite web |title=Leo Roget Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/player/5173/leo-roget?season=2001 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=ESPN FC}}{{Cite news |date=20 April 2002 |title=Reading promoted |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1935588.stm |access-date=30 December 2017}}
At the end of the 2001–02 season, Roget's Stockport County contract was cancelled by mutual consent and he departed the club,{{Cite news |date=8 April 2005 |title=Roget and Helin quit EP |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/roget-and-helin-quit-ep-1176042 |access-date=29 December 2017}} having made 32 appearances and scored one goal during just over a year at Edgley Park.
= Brentford =
After a trial period with Oxford United, Roget joined Second Division club Brentford on a non-contract basis on 9 August 2002.{{Cite news |date=9 August 2002 |title=Brentford sign trio |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/2183809.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} He was a regular starter alongside Ibrahima Sonko in central defence and on 3 September he signed a new contract to remain at Griffin Park until 30 December 2002.{{Cite web |title=Bees seal deals to keep trio |url=http://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/0903/brentford_20020903_downessealsdealstokeeptrio.html |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=ESPN.com Soccernet England}}{{Cite web |title=Top boss Wally signs two – but Sonko may go and Roget is hurt |url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6300827.Top_boss_Wally_signs_two___but_Sonko_may_go_and_Roget_is_hurt/?ref=arc |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=News Shopper |language=en}} Despite missing five months of the 2002–03 season due to ankle ligament damage and a hamstring problem,{{Cite news |date=25 October 2002 |title=Bees dealt Roget setback |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/2361667.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Players must not be put off by red cards |url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6269406.PLAYERS_MUST_NOT_BE_PUT_OFF_BY_RED_CARDS/?ref=arc |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=News Shopper |language=en}} Roget was a starter when fit and after signing a contract extension in January 2003,{{Cite news |title=Rowlands out for a month |language=en |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11748/2255323/rowlands-out-for-a-month |access-date=30 December 2017}} he remained with Brentford until the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Leo Roget Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/player/5173/leo-roget?season=2002 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=ESPN FC}}
Roget signed a new one-year contract in May 2003 and began the 2003–04 season as a regular starter.{{Cite news |date=7 May 2003 |title=Bees duo agree new deals |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/3008193.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Leo Roget Player Profile |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/player/5173/leo-roget?season=2003 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=ESPN FC}} In September 2003, he was transfer-listed for reacting "to abuse from a section of the Griffin Park crowd" with "an obscene gesture to fans" after being sent off during a 3–1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.{{Cite news |title=Brentford to get rid of rude Roget |language=en-GB |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/brentford-to-get-rid-of-rude-roget-6956291.html |access-date=29 December 2017}} In the following match versus Rushden & Diamonds, one week later, Roget gave a performance which reaffirmed his commitment to the club and he was reinstated to the starting lineup by manager Wally Downes.{{Cite news |title=Roget reprieved by Brentford |language=en-GB |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/roget-reprieved-by-brentford-6940420.html |access-date=30 December 2017}} Roget continued to keep his place until his contract was cancelled in late January 2004.{{Cite news |date=2004 |title=Rushden sign Roget |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rushden_and_diamonds/3447341.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} During 18 months with Brentford, he made 33 appearances.
=Rushden & Diamonds =
On 31 January 2004, Roget joined Second Division strugglers Rushden & Diamonds on a contract running until the end of the 2003–04 season. He started in all but one of his 17 appearances, but could not prevent the Diamonds' relegation to the Third Division at the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Rushden and Diamonds results for the 2003–2004 season |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/rushden-and-diamonds/2003-2004/results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321075511/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/rushden-and-diamonds/2003-2004/results |archive-date=21 March 2016 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Statto.com}} Roget was released in May 2004.{{Cite web |title=We can't change it all now... |url=https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/we-can-t-change-it-all-now-1-752456 |access-date=30 December 2017}}
= Oxford United =
Roget joined League Two club Oxford United on a two-year contract on 7 July 2004.{{Cite news |date=7 July 2004 |title=Roget moves to Oxford |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/3874737.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} Roget made 36 appearances and scored two goals during the 2004–05 season, but was given a free transfer by manager Brian Talbot in May 2005 and he trialled with Grimsby Town during the 2005–06 pre-season.{{Cite news |date=27 May 2005 |title=Defender Roget released by Oxford |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/4586767.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} Roget remained at the Kassam Stadium for the final year of his contract and made 41 appearances and scored three goals during a dire 2005–06 season, at the end of which the Us were relegated to the Conference Premier.{{Cite web |title=Oxford United Complete History |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/oxford-united/history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404005430/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/oxford-united/history |archive-date=4 April 2016 |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Statto.com}} During his two seasons with Oxford United, Roget made 77 appearances and scored five goals. He retired from professional football in 2006 and later stated that he "didn't love the game anymore".{{Cite news |date=5 December 2013 |title=Leo Roget: Ex-footballer turns to professional boxing |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/25241990 |access-date=29 December 2017}}
= Non-League football =
Between 2007 and 2011, Roget wound down his career in non-League football, with short spells at St Albans City, Braintree Town and a short-lived return to Rushden & Diamonds.{{Cite news |date=27 November 2008 |title=Former Diamond Returns |publisher=Rushden & Diamonds F.C. |url=http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1468894,00.html |access-date=28 November 2008}}{{Cite news |date=1 January 2009 |title=Roget leaves |publisher=Rushden & Diamonds F.C. |url=http://www.thediamondsfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1505035,00.html |access-date=6 January 2009}} A return to the Football League looked a possibility when he joined League Two club Gillingham on trial during the 2008–09 pre-season, but he failed to win a contract.{{Cite news |date=9 July 2008 |title=Defender Roget given Gills chance |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/7497271.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}}{{Cite news |date=8 July 2008 |title=Trialists Depart |publisher=Gillingham F.C. |url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10416~1340607,00.html |access-date=10 July 2008}} After an initial brief spell with Isthmian League club Harlow Town in February 2008, Roget returned to the club for the duration of the 2010–11 season and 29 appearances and scoring one goal, before departing for personal reasons in July 2011.{{Cite news |date=20 July 2011 |title=Skipper Roget in Hawks exit |publisher=Non-League Daily |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=76962 |access-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004021424/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=76962 |archive-date=4 October 2012}}
International career
In advance of the 2006 World Cup, officials from Trinidad and Tobago travelled to England to watch Roget in early 2006,{{Cite web |title=Football: Leo's mission |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6645997.Football__Leo_s_mission/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Oxford Mail |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2 February 2006 |title=World Cup boost for Oxford star |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/4674896.stm |access-date=29 December 2017}} but he was not named in the provisional squad for the finals.{{Cite news |date=13 April 2006 |title=Trinidad announce World Cup squad |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4905272.stm |access-date=30 December 2017}}
Boxing
In 2012, Roget took up boxing and after winning his first three amateur fights, his first professional fight, at cruiserweight,{{Cite web |title=Former Southend United defender Leo Roget forced to put back pro fight debut after suffering injury |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10809138.Former_Southend_United_defender_Leo_Roget_forced_to_put_back_pro_fight_debut_after_suffering_injury/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} was to have been against Mitch Mitchell at York Hall on 16 November 2013.{{Cite web |title=Former Southend United star Leo Roget's new career in the boxing ring |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10738807.Former_Southend_United_star_Leo_Roget_s_new_career_in_the_boxing_ring/ |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}} Due to neck and back injuries suffered by Roget in training, the fight was postponed until 7 December 2013. Roget lost 39–38 on points and announced his retirement in September 2014.{{Cite news |last=Street |first=Tim |date=11 December 2013 |title=Ex-Brentford defender vows to box clever |work=getwestlondon |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-brentford-defender-vows-box-clever-6394841?service=responsive |access-date=29 December 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Former Southend United defender Leo Roget has to quit the ring |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11463402.Former_Southend_United_defender_Leo_Roget_has_to_quit_the_ring/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Echo |language=en}}
Personal life
Roget is of Trinidad and Tobagonian descent on his father's side. After retiring from football in 2006, he "lived in Spain for a year and got fat and out of condition and was an absolute disgrace. After that I got into personal training". He subsequently set himself up as a personal trainer and as of 2013 and 2014 was working in the Harlow and Braintree branches of Ripped Gym respectively.{{Cite web |title=Leo Roget personal trainer |url=https://www.leorogetpersonaltrainer.co.uk/ |access-date=30 December 2017 |website=Leo Roget personal trainer}} As of April 2022, he was working as a personal trainer.
Career statistics
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.leorogetpersonaltrainer.co.uk/ Official site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roget, Leo}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Redbridge
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:St Albans City F.C. players
Category:Braintree Town F.C. players
Category:Harlow Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English people of Trinidad and Tobago descent
Category:Sportspeople of Trinidad and Tobago descent