Abu Ogogo

Abu Ogogo
Ogogo playing for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2014
Personal information
Full name Abumere Tafadzwa Ogogo[1]
Date of birth (1989-11-03) 3 November 1989 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth Epsom, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2000–2004 Wimbledon
2004–2007 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Arsenal 0 (0)
2008–2009 → Barnet (loan) 9 (1)
2009–2015 Dagenham & Redbridge 225 (17)
2015–2018 Shrewsbury Town 103 (4)
2018–2019 Coventry City 10 (0)
2019–2021 Bristol Rovers 46 (3)
2020–2021 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 9 (0)
2021–2022 Southend United 6 (0)
Total 408 (25)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Abumere Tafadzwa "Abu" Ogogo (born 3 November 1989) is a retired English professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Career

[edit]

Youth and Arsenal

[edit]

Ogogo began his career as a striker with his local Sunday league club when a scout from Wimbledon approached him for a trial.[2] His trial was successful and he signed for Wimbledon, where he stayed until the club went into administration and the youth team disbanded due to the club's move to Milton Keynes.[3]

He was spotted as a fourteen-year-old by Arsenal playing for Fulham and joined after successfully completing a six-week trial, along with former Wimbledon teammates Kieran Gibbs and James Dunne.[3][4] He started a scholarship with the club in the summer of 2006, and came to prominence in the 2006–07 FA Youth Cup run, where Arsenal were seconds away from reaching the final.[5][6] It was during this period that Arsenal converted Ogogo from a central midfielder to a right back.[7] In September 2007, he signed his first professional contract with the club on a two-year deal.[7] It was the first time that all the second-year scholars had received professional contracts.[7] He remained a regular in the reserves and also featured twice on the bench in League Cup games.[8] In October 2008, Ogogo joined Championship side Nottingham Forest on a two-week trial from Arsenal along with James Dunne and Paul Rodgers, with the view to a permanent deal.[9] He featured in a reserve game victory over Shrewsbury Town but failed to earn a deal with Forest.[9]

Barnet (loan)

[edit]

In November 2008 he joined League Two side Barnet on a one-month loan.[10] He made his debut for Barnet in the 4–0 home defeat by Notts County on 15 November 2008.[11] He scored his first goal in senior football when he slotted home a Kenny Gillet cross in a 3–1 defeat to bottom of the table Luton Town.[12] He then went on to receive a second booking and a subsequent red card.[12][13] Later on in the month, his loan was extended for a further month until January, and then later extended until the end of the season.[14][15] His Barnet career ended in disastrous fashion as he was sent off for handball in the final game of the season against Port Vale.[16] He made a total of nine appearances for the club scoring once.

In May 2009, it was announced that he would be released by Arsenal, after failing to make a breakthrough at the club.[17]

Dagenham & Redbridge

[edit]

In June 2009, he signed for League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a two-year contract, as a direct replacement for Danny Foster who had recently departed to Brentford.[18] His Daggers career got off to an indifferent start with Ogogo gaining a reputation for getting sent off.[19] When Ogogo was sent off against Macclesfield Town in October 2009, he was consigned to a spell on the bench after the Daggers replaced him with loan signing Seth Nana Twumasi.[19] He made his debut for the club in August 2009, in a 2–1 win at Crewe Alexandra, replacing Jon Nurse as a substitute on the right wing.[2] When he returned to the side in a match against Shrewsbury Town, he came close to another red card following another reckless challenge.[19] Ogogo admitted he learned the hard way, waiting for his chance and slowly cemented his place at right back in the Daggers side as they pushed for the play-offs.[19] He featured for the side in the 2010 League Two play-off final win over Rotherham United at Wembley Stadium.[20] In August 2010, he signed a new two-year contract extension with the Daggers.[21] He took his impressive form into the club's maiden season in League One, showing his ability to play at a higher level during the 2010–11 season.[20] However, he could not save the Daggers from relegation on the final game of the season in a 5–0 defeat to Peterborough United.

He continued to be a first team regular as the Daggers struggled on their return to League Two finishing in the bottom half of the table. In July 2012, he committed to another three-year contract with the club, after impressive for a third successive campaign.[22] He was also appointed captain, succeeding from departing skipper Mark Arber.[23] It was during the 2012–13 season that he was moved from right back to central midfield under new manager Wayne Burnett, after he convinced the manager for the opportunity to switch.[24] However, the club struggled and had to battle for Football League survival, which came as a surprise to Ogogo.[25] He went on to make his 200th appearance for the Daggers in February 2014, in a 1–1 draw with Burton Albion.[24] In April 2014, Ogogo claimed the supporters' and club Player of the Year awards, after scoring nine goals during the campaign.[26] In his final season for the club he made 39 appearances, with an injury set-back preventing him from making more appearances.[27] In May 2015, it was announced that Ogogo would leave Dagenham & Redbridge in June 2015 when his contract expired as he wished to move on from the club.[27]

Shrewsbury Town

[edit]

On 1 June 2015 Ogogo signed a two-year deal with Shrewsbury Town, stepping back up to League One.[28] He became a first-team regular, making his Shrewsbury debut on the opening day against Millwall, and scoring his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home win over Bury.[29] His second goal of the season, an injury time effort against Grimsby Town in an FA Cup second-round replay, finally broke the deadlock after the preceding 180 goalless minutes in the tie, to set up a third-round trip to Cardiff City.[30]

With Shrewsbury successfully avoiding relegation with one match to spare in their first season back in League One, Ogogo made more appearances for the club than any other player, and won both the Players' Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year awards for his consistent displays in midfield during 2015–16.[31]

The following season, Ogogo became more of a peripheral figure in the final weeks of Micky Mellon's management at the club, but was almost ever-present in the first few months under new manager Paul Hurst, who praised him for his infectious good attitude.[32] He suffered a knee injury in February 2017 likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season,[33] although despite this the club opted to extend his contract until summer 2018, during his rehabilitation period.[34]

Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Ogogo was appointed team captain, alongside club captain Mat Sadler.[35]

Coventry City

[edit]

After rejecting a contract offer to stay at Shrewsbury Town, Abu Ogogo agreed a three-year contract to join newly promoted League One side Coventry City on 26 June 2018.[36]

Bristol Rovers

[edit]

On 31 January 2019, Ogogo joined fellow League One club Bristol Rovers on a free transfer,[37] and made his debut two days later in a 2–1 away win at Southend United, playing the whole match.[38] Ogogo scored his first goal for the club on 21 September 2019 in a 3–1 way win at AFC Wimbledon, equalising after Rovers had fallen behind.[39]

Dagenham and Redbridge (loan)

[edit]

Having not been given a shirt number for the 2020–21 season,[40] on 23 October 2020 Ogogo dropped down to the National League to join former club Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until January 2021.[41] The following day he made his debut, starting in an FA Cup 4th qualifying round victory over Hartley Wintney.[42] Ogogo was made captain during his time at the club, making 13 appearances before returning to the Gas on 11 January 2021.[43]

Following his return from his loan spell at Dagenham, Ogogo was reintegrated back into the first-team picture by manager Paul Tisdale, who had replaced Garner, and made his first appearance back for the club on 12 January 2021 in a 1–0 EFL Trophy defeat to AFC Wimbledon.[44] He was again left out of the squad however for the second half of the season on account of an injury.[45] At the end of the season it was announced that Ogogo's contract would not be renewed and he would be leaving the club.[46]

Southend United

[edit]

On 25 June 2021, Ogogo agreed to join recently relegated National League side Southend United on a one-year deal with the option for a second year.[47] He left the club at the end of the season and then retired.

Personal life

[edit]

Ogogo, who is of Ghanaian descent, was born in Epsom, Surrey and was raised in nearby Tadworth.[4][48] He attended Merland Rise Primary School (now Epsom Downs Primary), and then The Beacon School in Banstead, Surrey.[49]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 30 October 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2008–09[50] Premier League 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barnet (loan) 2008–09[50] League Two 9 1 — — — 9 1
Dagenham & Redbridge 2009–10[51] League Two 30 2 0 0 1 0 4[a] 0 35 2
2010–11[52] League One 33 1 2 0 1 0 1[b] 0 37 1
2011–12[53] League Two 40 1 6 0 1 0 1[b] 0 48 1
2012–13[54] League Two 46 1 1 0 1 0 1[b] 0 49 1
2013–14[55] League Two 44 8 1 0 1 0 3[b] 1 49 9
2014–15[56] League Two 32 4 1 0 1 0 1[b] 0 35 4
Total 225 17 11 0 6 0 11 1 253 18
Shrewsbury Town 2015–16[29] League One 42 2 4 1 2 0 2[b] 0 50 3
2016–17[57] League One 26 0 2 0 2 0 2[c] 0 32 0
2017–18[58] League One 35 2 2 0 1 0 4[c] 0 42 2
Total 103 4 8 1 5 0 8 0 124 5
Coventry City 2018–19[59] League One 10 0 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 14 0
Bristol Rovers 2018–19[59] League One 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
2019–20[60] League One 27 3 3 0 2 0 1[c] 0 33 3
2020–21[61] League One 3 0 — 0 0 1[c] 0 4 0
Total 46 3 3 0 2 0 2 0 53 3
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2020–21[61] National League 9 0 3 0 — 1[d] 0 13 0
Southend United 2021–22[62] National League 6 0 0 0 — 0 0 6 0
Career total 408 25 26 1 14 0 24 1 472 27
  1. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Dagenham & Redbridge

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 317. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ a b "Career ladder: Abu Ogogo". Football League. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b "CGibbs: Wimbledon bust led me to Arsenal". Tribal Football. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Young Guns – Abu Ogogo". Arsenal F.C. 3 April 2006. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Whatever happened to #4... Lansbury, Bentley, Ogogo, Butcher, Connolly". Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Young Guns – Abumere Ogogo". Arsenal F.C. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Young Guns: Defender Abu Ogogo". Arsenal F.C. 3 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Abu Ogogo joins League Two Barnet on loan". Arsenal F.C. 13 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Forest impressed by young Gunners". BBC Sport. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Ogogo joins Barnet on month loan". BBC Sport. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  11. ^ "Barnet 0–4 Notts County". BBC Sport. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  12. ^ a b "Loan Watch: Ogogo scores first senior goal". Arsenal F.C. 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Luton 3–1 Barnet". BBC. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  14. ^ "Ogogo extends his loan spell at Barnet". Arsenal F.C. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  15. ^ "Ogogo to stay at Barnet for rest of season". Arsenal F.C. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  16. ^ "Loanees- Ogogo sent off on Barnet farewell, Fonte+Hoyte complete loan spells + Simpson and Botelho". Arsenal Youth. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  17. ^ "Bischoff among Arsenal released players". Tribal Football. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Daggers bring in Arsenal defender". BBC Sport. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  19. ^ a b c d "Ogogo keeps his nose clean to reap rewards". Welywn Hatfield Times. 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
  20. ^ a b "Abu Ogogo profile". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  21. ^ "Abu Ogogo signs two-year Dagenham & Redbridge deal". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Abu Ogogo the latest Dagger to re-sign for club". London 24. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  23. ^ "Ogogo gets armband". Eurosport. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  24. ^ a b "ABU OGOGO: 200 Appearances". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  25. ^ "After life at the top, battle at the bottom with Dagenham is new to Abu Ogogo". Evening Standard. London. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Daggers captain Ogogo 'proud' after clean sweep of awards". Barking & Dagenham Post. 28 April 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Midfielder Departs Daggers". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Abu Ogogo: Shrewsbury sign Dagenham & Redbridge captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Shrewsbury 1–0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  31. ^ "Shrewsbury Town double for Abu Ogogo". Shropshire Star. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  32. ^ "Paul Hurst picks out Abu Ogogo as key Shrewsbury Town ingredient". Shropshire Star. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  33. ^ "Abu Ogogo likely to miss rest of the season for Shrewsbury Town through injury". Shropshire Star. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  34. ^ "Abu Ogogo: Shrewsbury Town midfielder signs new contract". BBC Sport. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Gaffer on Captain". Shrewsweb. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  36. ^ "Abu Ogogo: Coventry City sign Shrewsbury Town captain". BBC Football. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  37. ^ "Abu Ogogo Joins on Permanent Deal". bristolrovers.co.uk. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Southend United 1–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  39. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–3 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  40. ^ "2020/21 Squad Numbers Revealed!". bristolrovers.co.uk. 2 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  41. ^ "Abu Ogogo joins Dagenham & Redbridge on loan". bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  42. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Daggers 1-0 Hartley Wintney". daggers.co.uk. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Abu Ogogo Returns To Bristol Rovers". daggers.co.uk. 11 January 2021.
  44. ^ "Papa John's Trophy Match Report: Bristol Rovers 0-1 AFC Wimbledon". bristolrovers.co.uk. 12 January 2021.
  45. ^ "Ogogo and Barrett's seasons in doubt as Bristol Rovers make squad and free agent decision". Bristol Post. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Retained List for 2021/22 Season Announced". bristolrovers.co.uk. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  47. ^ "ABU OGOGO IS A BLUE!". southendunited.co.uk. 25 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Assifuah And Yartey Inspire Sion, While Gyan, Benson, Quaison And Eghan Score Abroad, Read More How Ghanaian Players Fared". Modern Ghana. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  49. ^ "REVIEW OF THE YEAR: So, what exactly happened in 2006?". Surrey Comet. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  52. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  53. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  54. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  55. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  56. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  57. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  60. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  61. ^ a b "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  62. ^ "Games played by Abu Ogogo in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
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