Romuald Boco
{{Short description|Beninese footballer (born 1985)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Romuald Boco
| image =
| full_name = Romuald Boco{{Cite book| editor1-last = Hugman| editor1-first = Barry J.| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08| year = 2007| publisher = Mainstream Publishing| isbn = 978-1-84596-246-3| page = 50}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|7|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bernay, France
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| years1 = 2003–2004
| clubs1 = Chamois Niortais B
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2004–2005
| clubs2 = Chamois Niortais
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2005–2008
| clubs3 = Accrington Stanley
| caps3 = 73
| goals3 = 7
| years4 = 2008–2010
| clubs4 = Sligo Rovers
| caps4 = 57
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2010
| clubs5 = Burton Albion
| caps5 = 8
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2010–2011
| clubs6 = Sligo Rovers
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2011
| clubs7 = Shanghai East Asia
| caps7 = 22
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2011–2012
| clubs8 = Sligo Rovers
| caps8 = 22
| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2012–2013
| clubs9 = Accrington Stanley
| caps9 = 42
| goals9 = 10
| years10 = 2013–2014
| clubs10 = Plymouth Argyle
| caps10 = 27
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2014–2015
| clubs11 = Chesterfield
| caps11 = 13
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2015
| clubs12 = Bharat FC
| caps12 = 20
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2015–2016
| clubs13 = Portsmouth
| caps13 = 4
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2015
| clubs14 = → Havant & Waterlooville (loan)
| caps14 = 3
| goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2016–2017
| clubs15 = Accrington Stanley
| caps15 = 41
| goals15 = 8
| years16 = 2017–2018
| clubs16 = Leyton Orient
| caps16 = 17
| goals16 = 2
| totalcaps = 351
| totalgoals = 44
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2013
| nationalteam1 = Benin{{cite web |last1=Mamrud |first1=Roberto |title=Benin - Record International Players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/benin-recintlp.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=21 October 2023 |date=23 July 2023}}
| nationalcaps1 = 52
| nationalgoals1 = 1
}}
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.
Club career
=Accrington Stanley=
Born in Bernay, Eure, Boco signed for Accrington Stanley just before the 2005 transfer deadline from Niort.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/4203986.stm|title=Stanley swoop for late signings|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 September 2005|access-date=18 April 2008|archive-date=13 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413092720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/4203986.stm|url-status=live}} He had the honour of scoring the first two Football League goals for Stanley, in a 2–1 win against Barnet.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/5248202.stm|title=Accrington 2–1 Barnet|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2006|access-date=13 April 2008|archive-date=13 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413095300/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/5248202.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jonathan|title=Benin and Rommy Boco live by faint hopes at Africa Cup of Nations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jan/20/benin-africa-cup-jonathan-wilson|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=20 January 2010|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313140245/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jan/20/benin-africa-cup-jonathan-wilson|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/7233076.stm|title=Homesick Boco leaves Accrington|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 February 2008|access-date=18 April 2008|archive-date=13 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413100046/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/accrington_stanley/7233076.stm|url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://accringtonstanley.co.uk/2016/01/hes-back/|title=He's back! – Accrington Stanley|website=accringtonstanley.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202073216/http://accringtonstanley.co.uk/2016/01/hes-back/|url-status=live}}
=Sligo Rovers=
On 11 February 2008, he signed for Sligo Rovers of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
His new manager Paul Cook, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0405/sligo_cobh.html|title=Sligo Rovers 3–1 Cobh Ramblers|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=5 April 2008|access-date=13 April 2008|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126132714/https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0405/sligo_cobh.html|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8084037.stm|title=Irish downturn hits Benin player|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 June 2009|date=5 June 2009|archive-date=31 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131161204/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8084037.stm|url-status=live}} Boco left Sligo when his contract expired at the end of the 2009 season.
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=
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2011}}
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.{{cite news|title=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17261764|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111204410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17261764|url-status=live}}
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,{{cite web|last=Parsons|first=Chris|title=Green Rommy|url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/green-rommy-925403.aspx|publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C|access-date=7 August 2013|date=17 July 2013|archive-date=21 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821002533/http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/green-rommy-925403.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=John Sheridan pips his former club Chesterfield to the signing of Rommy Boco|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/John-Sheridan-pips-club-Chesterfield-signing/story-19541182-detail/story.html|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=The Herald|date=19 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722004435/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/John-Sheridan-pips-club-Chesterfield-signing/story-19541182-detail/story.html|archive-date=22 July 2013}} and made his debut in the club's first game of the new season at Southend United.{{cite news|title=Plymouth Argyle start new season with defeat at Southend|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-start-new-season-defeat-Southend/story-19610109-detail/story.html|access-date=7 August 2013|newspaper=The Herald|date=4 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806133709/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-start-new-season-defeat-Southend/story-19610109-detail/story.html|archive-date=6 August 2013}}
=Chesterfield=
Romuald signed for Chesterfield on 8 August 2014 on a non-contract basis.{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28692568|title = Chesterfield sign Daniel Johnson and Romauld Boco|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 2014-08-08|access-date = 2014-08-09|archive-date = 18 December 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141218233515/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28692568|url-status = live}} 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.{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28646709|title = Leyton Orient 1–2 Chesterfield|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 2014-08-09|access-date = 2014-08-09|archive-date = 19 December 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141219171520/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28646709|url-status = live}}
=Bharat FC=
On 20 January 2015, Boco signed for Indian I-League newcomers Kalyani Bharat FC,[https://wap.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bharat-fc-sign-boco-115012001068_1.html Bharat FC acquires Boco of Benin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416050339/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bharat-fc-sign-boco-115012001068_1.html |date=16 April 2022 }} Business Standard. Retrieved 26 March 2021 as the club's marquee player.{{cite web |url=http://www.bharatfc.com/news-detail.php?news_id=20 |title=Romuald Boco confirmed as Bharat FC's marquee signing |publisher=Bharat FC |date=20 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121134213/http://www.bharatfc.com/news-detail.php?news_id=20 |archive-date=21 January 2015 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/boco-joins-bharat-fc-as-marquee-player/article6805638.ece|title=Boco joins Bharat FC as marquee player|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 January 2015|access-date=26 March 2021|archive-date=16 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416050338/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/boco-joins-bharat-fc-as-marquee-player/article6805638.ece|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afr-u20-05.html|title=African U-20 Championship 2005|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=2017-07-11|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406111751/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afr-u20-05.html|url-status=live}} 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.[https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/netherlands2005/index.html FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821174600/https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/netherlands2005/index.html |date=21 August 2019 }} FIFA.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesw/wyc05.html RSSSF > FIFA World Youth Championship > 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204222918/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesw/wyc05.html |date=4 February 2023 }} RSSSF. Retrieved 26 March 2021
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.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/779/Romuald_Boco.html|title=Romuald Boco with Benin national football team: games and statistics|website=National-Football-Teams.com|access-date=26 March 2021|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123194603/https://national-football-teams.com/player/779/Romuald_Boco.html|url-status=live}} Between 2004 and 2013, Boco earned 52 caps for Benin internationally, scoring a goal.
Career statistics
=Club=
| 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"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Chamois Niortais
|2004–05{{cite web|title=NFT profile|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/779/Romuald_Boco.html|publisher=National Football-Teams|access-date=29 January 2015|archive-date=2 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502060851/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/779/Romuald_Boco.html|url-status=live}} |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| rowspan="4"|Accrington Stanley
|2005–06{{Soccerbase season|42099|2005|access-date=3 February 2015}} |30 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Football League Trophy|name=FLT}}{{efn|Source omits FA Trophy appearances}} | 0 | 31 | 4 | |||||
| 2006–07{{Soccerbase season|42099|2006|access-date=29 January 2015}}
|32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 35 | 3 | ||
| 2007–08{{Soccerbase season|42099|2007|access-date=29 January 2015}}
|League Two |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!73 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | 79 | 7 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Sligo Rovers
|2008 |28 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 6 | ||||||||
| 2009{{cite web|title=Soccerway profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/boco-boco/29726/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203150050/http://int.soccerway.com/players/boco-boco/29726/|url-status=live}}
|League of Ireland |29 | 2 | 2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} | 0 | 31 | 2 | |||||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!57 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 62 | 9 | |||
| Burton Albion (loan)
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|42099|2009|access-date=29 January 2015}} |League Two |8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | |||||
| Sligo Rovers
|2010 |League of Ireland |10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 5 | ||||||
| Shanghai East Asia
|2011 |22 | 1 | 22 | 1 | |||||||||
| Sligo Rovers
|2012 |League of Ireland |22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 27 | 2 | |||
| Accrington Stanley
|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|42099|2012|access-date=29 January 2015}} |League Two |42 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 45 | 10 | ||
| Plymouth Argyle
|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|42099|2013|access-date=29 January 2015}} |League Two |27 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 34 | 1 | ||
| Chesterfield
|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|42099|2014|access-date=29 January 2015}} |13 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||
| Bharat FC
|2015 |20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Portsmouth
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|42099|2015|access-date=21 October 2023}} |League Two |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||||
| Havant and Waterlooville (loan)
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Accrington Stanley
|League Two |11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in League Two play-offs}} | 0 | 12 | 2 | |||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|42099|2016|access-date=24 July 2017}}
|League Two |30 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 38 | 7 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 9 | |
| Leyton Orient
|17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|– | 18 | 2 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!361 | 44 | 24 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 408 | 47 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
:Score and result list Benin's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Boco goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ International goal scored by Romuald Boco{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/02/11/world/friendlies/algeria/benin/748347/|title=Algeria vs. Benin 2-1|publisher=soccerway.com|date=11 February 2009|access-date=30 May 2023}} | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center"|1 | 11 February 2009 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | {{fb|Algeria}} | style="text-align:center"|1–2 | style="text-align:center"|1–2 | Friendly |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{NFT player|779|name=Romuald Boco}}
- [https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/boco-intent-on-fulfilling-his-potential-1.676339 Romuald Boco Interview] at irishtimes.com
{{Navboxes
| title = Benin squads
| bg = #F9E04C
| fg = #00B760
| bordercolor = #CE1126
| list1 =
{{Benin squad 2004 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Benin squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Benin squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boco, Romuald}}
Category:People from Bernay, Eure
Category:Black French sportspeople
Category:French sportspeople of Beninese descent
Category:Beninese men's footballers
Category:21st-century Beninese sportsmen
Category:Footballers from Eure
Category:French men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Benin men's international footballers
Category:China League One players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Chamois Niortais FC players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Sligo Rovers F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Shanghai Port F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:Portsmouth F.C. players
Category:Havant & Waterlooville F.C. players
Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players
Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players
Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Beninese expatriate men's footballers
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Beninese expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Beninese expatriate sportspeople in Ireland
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Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China
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