Evergreen Efe can shake Gigg
5:15pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008
NOT many clubs at League Two level can count a bona fide World Cup star on their playing and coaching roster.
But Efe Sodje’s permanent arrival was quite rightly lauded as a coup for the Gigg Lane men.
The former Nigeria international came out on loan from Gillingham last season looking for fitness, after a nasty fractured cheekbone left him short of match action for nearly three months.
As is probably befitting of a player who had sported a flambuoyant bandana throughout his playing career, Sodje’s arrival at Gigg sparked a flurry of press interest. But this time it was magnified both by the Zorro-style mask he wore on debut at Stockport and the sneak attack he performed to steal the ball from Conrad Logan which led to the County keeper receiving a straight red card.
He greeted the press with a winner’s smile after the game – but spoke of his desire to return to League One and fight for his place, once fit.
Gradually, the 35-year-old found his sharpness, forming a formidable partnership at the heart of the Shakers defence with Ben Futcher – who himself reacted by playing his best football of the season.
There was unfinished business back at Gillingham, but Sodje was rapidly accepting that he had found his new home.
Back at Priestfield, he had began the arduous task of negotiating a way out of the final year of his contract. Gills manager Mark Stimson had publicly made his own feelings clear – he wanted rid.
Several clubs had become alerted to Sodje’s situation, but Knill’s well-documented powers of persuasion talked him round into returning to the North-west.
Sodje was offered a two-year deal which kicked-in the moment he waved goodbye to Kent.
“There was quite a lot of fine detail to go through,” Knill admitted. “We knew he wanted to come but it was about getting the right deal. We saw at the end of last season what a fans’ favourite he had become, so we had to get him in.
“There was no shortage of clubs in for him. He could have stayed in League One, or gone elsewhere for more money but he wanted to come back here.”
Sodje may be in his mid-30s, but Knill insisted that offering him a two-year deal was not a gamble on the Shakers’ part.
“He is 35 now and thinks he can play until at least 40,” he said. “To be fair, he is really athletic for his age and I wouldn’t be surprised.
“That’s why we didn’t think it was a risk bringing him here. He is a real pro and looks after himself very, very well.”
The defender’s contract was sweetened with the promise of help towards his coaching badges, something Knill is keen to do.
“He is taking his badges and wants to get involved, but he has a long time left to play,” he said.
“I said I would teach him how to coach, let him take some sessions and show him how things work. With respect, I’m not talking to an idiot – he has worked with a lot of good managers, so has a fair idea.
“He might get involved with the reserves, or the kids, or take sessions with the first team, but it will all be good experience. It’s the first foot on the ladder.”