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[Albion] Simon Adingra - 20 year old Ivory Coast forward - Signed 24/06/2022
- Thread starter chaileyjem
- Start date
The only African country below Seychelles looks to be Somalia, who I'm guessing have more immediate concerns than playing football to be getting on with.
Although I'd have said the same about South Sudan and they seem to be noticeably higher. Maybe Somalia just aren't trying hard enough.
I thought I had heard this story mentioned in this article somewhere before, but could not see it skimming this thread:
www.the-star.co.ke
I often think of footballers as entitled young men with riches beyond my dreams, but some have had extraordinary journeys to get here.
In the attached story Simon briefly talks about when he was a child he and 9 other kids were taken to a football academy by his agent in Benin, only to find his agent was a con men who stole their money and the children were left to fend for themselves on the streets. That's a story I would love to hear fleshed out.
Adingra and Diakite, the youngsters driving Ivorian football
Standing at 1.75 metres tall, Adingra had a difficult journey before becoming a footballer.
I often think of footballers as entitled young men with riches beyond my dreams, but some have had extraordinary journeys to get here.
In the attached story Simon briefly talks about when he was a child he and 9 other kids were taken to a football academy by his agent in Benin, only to find his agent was a con men who stole their money and the children were left to fend for themselves on the streets. That's a story I would love to hear fleshed out.
B-right-on
Living the dream
I thought I had heard this story mentioned in this article somewhere before, but could not see it skimming this thread:
Adingra and Diakite, the youngsters driving Ivorian football
Standing at 1.75 metres tall, Adingra had a difficult journey before becoming a footballer.
I often think of footballers as entitled young men with riches beyond my dreams, but some have had extraordinary journeys to get here.
In the attached story Simon briefly talks about when he was a child he and 9 other kids were taken to a football academy by his agent in Benin, only to find his agent was a con men who stole their money and the children were left to fend for themselves on the streets. That's a story I would love to hear fleshed out.
Blimey that's rough start. Had to Google Benin tbh and never heard of it. So he went from Ivory Coast, through Ghana and Togo to Benin, a journey of 800-1,000 miles, only to be dumped in the street.
No age mentioned but as we got him from the Danish outfit he joined at 18 and they got him through the Right to Dream academy in Ghana, he must have been really young.
As you said, I'd love to hear the full story. Wonder if the club or Naylor would be interested?
sydney
tinky ****in winky
have a look at Dark Tourism on Netflix , Benin is one of a few nations that still embrace voodoo, juju, black magic and witchdoctors as a central part of their culture , it's a fascinating place .
A little story about Simon Adingra and his character.
There’s a video taken by some young fans by the side of the tunnel as the players came in after a win.
A few players waved at these fans as they called their names out, most walked past in their own world.
Adingra clocked them gave them a big smile then jogged off towards the changing rooms. 30 seconds later he ran back out with an Adingra shirt which he gave to the kids, again big smile on his face.
If anyone has this clip, please share.
There’s a video taken by some young fans by the side of the tunnel as the players came in after a win.
A few players waved at these fans as they called their names out, most walked past in their own world.
Adingra clocked them gave them a big smile then jogged off towards the changing rooms. 30 seconds later he ran back out with an Adingra shirt which he gave to the kids, again big smile on his face.
If anyone has this clip, please share.
pornomagboy
wake me up before you gogo who needs potter when
I hope ivory Coast get knocked out tonight we need him back in the squad
Nope. Tonight is the semi final. If they win he has the final at the weekend. If they lose he has the THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF at the weekend. Now that he’s away for the full tournament regardless, we might as well get right behind the lad.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
That’s the wrong attitude in IMO we want our players to have big match experiences it will all help in the future. If we ever make it to a semi final/final I don’t want our young players being overawed by the occasion.
- Mar 1, 2021
- 561
Makes no difference. If they lose they go to 3rd place play off.
Dick Swiveller
Well-known member
- Sep 9, 2011
- 9,533
Let's hope they are 2-0 down early on so he can leave at half time.
Hastings gull
Well-known member
- Nov 23, 2013
- 4,652
Given that he would presumably have to stay for the third place match at the weekend, he will be available for Sheff Utd. Even without this match, he would have travelled on Thursday at the earliest and it is unlikely that he would have started at Spurs. Getting ever closer to everyone being there, bar Solly.
maltaseagull
Well-known member
They might give our U18s a game then!
Malta spends far more on Football than Rugby yet is 44th in the World Rankings!
Pevenseagull
meh
- Jul 20, 2003
- 20,698
Well I hope they win it and he scores the winner in the final.
Weststander
Well-known member
Sounds like an ideal place for the Le Tissier Foundation.
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2,702
Benin has some standards.
Exactly. A great couple of warm up games to get him up to speed for us. I hope he is the hero tonight and in the final.
Gabbiano
Well-known member
Would Simon get the hero's welcome home after an AFCON win that Mac Allister did after the WC?
I would hope the club would do something to commemorate that achievement
I would hope the club would do something to commemorate that achievement
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
If you mean spending an extended period of time celebrating in his home country, and missing important league and cup matches in the process, I f**cking hope not!
Indeed.
But let’s not pretend the any regional biennial tournament can hold a candle to the World Cup finals in terms of prestige.