The highs and lows of Abu Ogogo’s time at Victoria Road
Victoria Road will be a different place next year following the departure of Abu Ogogo.
After joining from Arsenal the midfielder has made 249 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals.
The former captain also experienced the highs of promotion in 2010 and the low of relegation the following season.
We take a look back at some of his highlights during his time in east London.
2009/10 season
Abu Ogogo joins Dagenham & Redbridge on a free transfer from Premier League side Arsenal. He makes his debut against Crewe Alexandra but disciplinary issues on the pitch trouble his first few months at Victoria Road and lead to then-manager John Still benching the youngster. Ogogo battles back to regain his place in the starting XI and plays the full 90 minutes in the play-off final win over Rotherham United as Daggers are promoted to League One. Unfortunately the team last only one year in the third tier of English football before suffering the agony of relegation on the final day of the season.
2012/13 season
Following the departure of Mark Arber from the club, Ogogo is handed the captain’s armband by Still. His first season leading the team is a tough one as still leaves the club in February to take charge of Luton Town. The club’s safety is only decided on the final day of the season with a superior goal difference over Barnet preventing the Victoria Road club from relegation to the Conference.
2013/14 season
After persuading new boss Wayne Burnett, Ogogo is moved from his role as a defender to a central midfielder. Unsurprisingly Ogogo had his most prolific season to date in a more advanced position, netting nine times. He led the team by example throughout the season and his efforts were rewarded when he was voted the club’s Player of the Year ahead of Scott Doe and Medy Elito.
2014/15 season
What would prove to the midfielder’s final campaign at Victoria Road was beset by injuries including a two month lay-off in the middle of the season. However he still manages to make 32 appearances in all competitions, falling agonisingly short of reaching 250 in total. He continues his goalscoring form this year, including a wonder strike from 30 yards against Oxford United that is currently in the running for the club’s goal of the season. His final strike for the club comes in the 2-0 win over Plymouth while he makes his final appearance in Daggers colours in the 2-1 defeat away to Exeter City.
Do you have a fond memory of Ogogo? Tweet @post_daggers.
For more on Ogogo’s departute, see the sports pages of this week’s paper.
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