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Leo Roget

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Leo Roget
Personal information
Full name Leo Thomas Earl Roget[1]
Date of birth (1977-08-01) 1 August 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Ilford, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1990–1995 Southend United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2001 Southend United 122 (0)
2001 → Stockport County (loan) 8 (0)
2001–2002 Stockport County 23 (1)
2002 → Reading (loan) 1 (0)
2002–2004 Brentford 29 (0)
2004 Rushden & Diamonds 17 (0)
2004–2006 Oxford United 68 (4)
2007 St Albans City 3 (0)
2008 Harlow Town 3 (0)
2008 Braintree Town 2 (0)
2008–2009 Rushden & Diamonds 1 (0)
2010–2011 Harlow Town 21 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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".[2] A "bad boy" player,[3] 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

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Southend United

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1990–1999

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A defender, Roget joined Southend United as a schoolboy in 1990, at the age of 13.[4][5] 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.[2][6] 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.[6] Despite the Shrimpers' relegation to the Second Division in May 1997,[7] he signed a new three-year contract to remain at Roots Hall.[8]

Early in the 1997–98 season,[9] 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.[6] After failing to stave off relegation to the Third Division,[7] Roget began the 1998–99 season as a regular,[10] but a hamstring strain suffered one month into the campaign kept him out of action until December 1998.[8] 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".[8][10]

1999–2001

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Entering the final year of his contract,[11] Roget was a regular during the first half of the 1999–00 season alongside Simon Coleman in central defence.[11] He lost his place in the team in December 1999,[12] when after a 3–1 home defeat to Barnet, he "stormed into the visitors' changing room and broke their stereo with an angry kick",[13] which he later denied.[14] Roget regained his place in the team in January 2000 and finished a mid-table 1999–00 season with 40 appearances and two goals.[7][12]

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.[5] He was again a regular in central defence alongside Phil Whelan,[2][15] 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".[16] Having already accumulated seven yellow cards during the season, Webb was forced into showdown talks with "bad boy" Roget in January 2001.[3] A 3–0 defeat to Halifax Town on 17 February 2001 would be Roget's final Southend United appearance,[15] as he was dropped by David Webb shortly after.[17] He departed the club on loan on 1 March 2001 and on a permanently one month later.[18][19] Roget made 139 appearances and scored 10 goals during nearly six seasons as a professional at Roots Hall.[20]

Stockport County

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On 1 March 2001, Roget joined First Division club Stockport County on a one-month loan,[18] with a view to a permanent deal.[21] 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.[18] He instantly went into the starting lineup and after the loan expired,[22] the move was made permanent for an initial £50,000 fee.[19] Roget finished the 2000–01 season with eight appearances.[15]

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.[23] Roget fell out of favour under manager Carlton Palmer in February 2002 was replaced in the team by new signing Dave Challinor.[24] After turning down a £70,000 move to Chinese club Red Heart K,[25] he joined Second Division club Reading on loan until the end of the 2001–02 season.[26] He made his only appearance for the club with a start in a 0–0 draw with Swindon Town,[23] in which three players were sent off.[27] 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.[28][29]

At the end of the 2001–02 season, Roget's Stockport County contract was cancelled by mutual consent and he departed the club,[30] having made 32 appearances and scored one goal during just over a year at Edgley Park.[20]

Brentford

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After a trial period with Oxford United,[2] Roget joined Second Division club Brentford on a non-contract basis on 9 August 2002.[31] 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.[32][33] Despite missing five months of the 2002–03 season due to ankle ligament damage and a hamstring problem,[34][35][36] Roget was a starter when fit and after signing a contract extension in January 2003,[37] he remained with Brentford until the end of the season.[38]

Roget signed a new one-year contract in May 2003 and began the 2003–04 season as a regular starter.[39][40] 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.[41] 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.[42] Roget continued to keep his place until his contract was cancelled in late January 2004.[40][43] During 18 months with Brentford, he made 33 appearances.[20]

Rushden & Diamonds

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On 31 January 2004, Roget joined Second Division strugglers Rushden & Diamonds on a contract running until the end of the 2003–04 season.[43] He started in all but one of his 17 appearances,[40] but could not prevent the Diamonds' relegation to the Third Division at the end of the season.[44] Roget was released in May 2004.[45]

Oxford United

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Roget joined League Two club Oxford United on a two-year contract on 7 July 2004.[46] Roget made 36 appearances and scored two goals during the 2004–05 season,[47] 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.[2][48] 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,[49] at the end of which the Us were relegated to the Conference Premier.[50] During his two seasons with Oxford United, Roget made 77 appearances and scored five goals.[20] He retired from professional football in 2006 and later stated that he "didn't love the game anymore".[51]

Non-League football

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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.[52][53][54] 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.[55][56] After an initial brief spell with Isthmian League club Harlow Town in February 2008,[57] Roget returned to the club for the duration of the 2010–11 season and 29 appearances and scoring one goal,[58] before departing for personal reasons in July 2011.[59]

International career

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In advance of the 2006 World Cup, officials from Trinidad and Tobago travelled to England to watch Roget in early 2006,[60][61] but he was not named in the provisional squad for the finals.[62]

Boxing

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In 2012, Roget took up boxing and after winning his first three amateur fights, his first professional fight, at cruiserweight,[63] was to have been against Mitch Mitchell at York Hall on 16 November 2013.[64] Due to neck and back injuries suffered by Roget in training, the fight was postponed until 7 December 2013.[63] Roget lost 39–38 on points and announced his retirement in September 2014.[65][66]

Personal life

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Roget is of Trinidad and Tobagonian descent on his father's side.[61] 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".[51] 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.[67][64][66] As of April 2022, he was working as a personal trainer.[24]

Career statistics

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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
Southend United 1995–96[68] First Division 8 1 0 0 0 0 — 8 1
1996–97[69] First Division 26 0 1 0 0 0 — 27 0
1997–98[9] Second Division 11 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 14 0
1998–99[10] Third Division 14 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 0
1999–00[12] Third Division 36 2 1 0 2 0 1[a] 0 40 2
2000–01[15] Third Division 27 5 4 1 2 0 2[a] 1 35 7
Total 122 8 6 1 8 0 3 1 139 10
Stockport County (loan) 2000–01[15] First Division 8 0 — — — 8 0
Stockport County 2001–02[23] First Division 23 1 0 0 1 0 — 24 1
Total 31 1 0 0 1 0 — 32 1
Reading (loan) 2001–02[23] Second Division 1 0 — — — 1 0
Brentford 2002–03[34] Second Division 14 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 17 0
2003–04[70] Second Division 15 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 16 0
Total 29 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 33 0
Rushden & Diamonds 2003–04[70] Second Division 17 0 — — — 17 0
Oxford United 2004–05[47] League Two 35 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 36 2
2005–06[49] League Two 33 2 4 0 1 0 3[a] 1 41 3
Total 68 4 4 0 2 0 3 1 77 5
St Albans City 2007–08[52] Conference South 3 0 — — — 3 0
Harlow Town 2007–08[57] Isthmian League Premier Division 3 0 — — — 3 0
Braintree Town 2008–09[71] Conference South 2 0 — — 0 0 2 0
Rushden & Diamonds 2008–09[72] Conference Premier 1 0 — — 1[b] 0 2 0
Total 18 0 — — 1 0 19 0
Harlow Town 2010–11[58] Isthmian League First Division North 21 0 4 0 — 4[c] 1 29 1
Total 24 0 4 0 — 4 1 32 0
Career total 298 13 15 1 12 0 13 3 338 17
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Hillier Cup
  3. ^ 3 appearances and 1 goal in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League play-offs

References

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  1. ^ "Leo Roget". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Leo Roget". 11v11.com. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Soccer: Bad boy Roget in more hot water". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Soccer: Roget keen on Park life". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Soccer: Why Roget rejected deal". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Injury nightmare is over for Southend kingpin". York Press. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Southend United Complete History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Soccer: Roget desperate to get back into action for Blues". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Roget in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Games played by Leo Roget in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Soccer: Roget's season of reckoning". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  12. ^ a b c "Games played by Leo Roget in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Soccer: Blues defender Roget in bust-up". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  14. ^ "The day Leo Roget saw red for Southend United against Oxford United when it was really Jeroen Boere". Echo. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Leo Roget in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Soccer: Webb keen to retain Roget". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Soccer: Reasons to replace Blues back pair". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  18. ^ a b c "Roget has the time to impress". Manchester Evening News. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Soccer: Roget joins Stockport in £50,000 move". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d Leo Roget at Soccerbase
  21. ^ "Soccer: Roget poised for Stockport switch". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  22. ^ "Roget makes the move north". Manchester Evening News. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d "Games played by Leo Roget in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  24. ^ a b Phillips, Chris. "Played for both: Catching up with former Blues and Stockport defender Leo Roget". Echo. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  25. ^ "Roget rejects a move to China". Manchester Evening News. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  26. ^ "Transfers – February, 2002". 5 September 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  27. ^ "Swindon 0–0 Reading". 14 February 2002. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Leo Roget Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  29. ^ "Reading promoted". 20 April 2002. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Roget and Helin quit EP". Manchester Evening News. 8 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Brentford sign trio". 9 August 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  32. ^ "Bees seal deals to keep trio". ESPN.com Soccernet England. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  33. ^ "Top boss Wally signs two – but Sonko may go and Roget is hurt". News Shopper. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Roget in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  35. ^ "Bees dealt Roget setback". 25 October 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  36. ^ "Players must not be put off by red cards". News Shopper. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  37. ^ "Rowlands out for a month". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  38. ^ "Leo Roget Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  39. ^ "Bees duo agree new deals". 7 May 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  40. ^ a b c "Leo Roget Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  41. ^ "Brentford to get rid of rude Roget". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  42. ^ "Roget reprieved by Brentford". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  43. ^ a b "Rushden sign Roget". 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  44. ^ "Rushden and Diamonds results for the 2003–2004 season". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  45. ^ "We can't change it all now..." Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  46. ^ "Roget moves to Oxford". 7 July 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Roget in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  48. ^ "Defender Roget released by Oxford". 27 May 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Roget in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Oxford United Complete History". Statto.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  51. ^ a b "Leo Roget: Ex-footballer turns to professional boxing". BBC Sport. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  52. ^ a b "St Albans City F.C. Statistics". saintsstatistics.co.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  53. ^ "Former Diamond Returns". Rushden & Diamonds F.C. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  54. ^ "Roget leaves". Rushden & Diamonds F.C. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  55. ^ "Defender Roget given Gills chance". 9 July 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  56. ^ "Trialists Depart". Gillingham F.C. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  57. ^ a b "All Competitions : Player's Appearances – Roget Leo". football.mitoo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  58. ^ a b "All Competitions : Player's Appearances – Roger Leo". football.mitoo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  59. ^ "Skipper Roget in Hawks exit". Non-League Daily. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  60. ^ "Football: Leo's mission". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  61. ^ a b "World Cup boost for Oxford star". 2 February 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  62. ^ "Trinidad announce World Cup squad". 13 April 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  63. ^ a b "Former Southend United defender Leo Roget forced to put back pro fight debut after suffering injury". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  64. ^ a b "Former Southend United star Leo Roget's new career in the boxing ring". Echo. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  65. ^ Street, Tim (11 December 2013). "Ex-Brentford defender vows to box clever". getwestlondon. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  66. ^ a b "Former Southend United defender Leo Roget has to quit the ring". Echo. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  67. ^ "Leo Roget personal trainer". Leo Roget personal trainer. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Leo Roget in 1995/1996". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Leo Roget in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  70. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Roget in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  71. ^ "Blue Square Conference South guide – Braintree Town". Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  72. ^ "Leo Roget". rdfc1992. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
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