Efe Sodje

Efetobore Peter "Efe" Sodje (born 5 October 1972) is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He played for several Football League clubs, and is famous for wearing a do-rag, with the headband often having the words "Against All Odds". Born in England, he represented Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations and the 2002 World Cup.

Sodje began his career at Stevenage Borough and later played for Luton Town, Colchester United, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town, Yeovil Town, Southend United, Gillingham, Bury, Barrow and Macclesfield Town in two spells.

Club career

Early career Sodje began his career playing for Stevenage Borough in the Conference National, who he had signed for ahead of the 1994–95 season. Prior to signing for Stevenage, Sodje had unsuccessful trials at both Wimbledon and Luton Town. Sodje made a total of 33 appearances during the 1994–95 campaign, scoring once in a 5–0 win over Yeovil Town, a game in which he came off the substitutes' bench to score. Sodje remained at Stevenage the following season, helping the club win the Conference National title, however they would be denied promotion to the Football League due to insufficient ground facilities. During the season, he made a total of 49 appearances, scoring five goals, four of which came in the league. Sodje's third season at Stevenage was his best in goalscoring terms; he scored 7 times in 55 games in all competitions as Stevenage finished the season in third place, beaten to the title by Macclesfield Town. Sodje left Stevenage at the end of the season to join newly promoted Football League side Macclesfield Town.

Southend United Sodje left Southend following their relegation from the Championship in the 2006–07 season.

On 10 July 2007, he joined League One side Gillingham on a two-year deal, and made his debut in the 1–0 away defeat to Cheltenham Town on 11 August. In February 2008 he joined Bury on loan until the end of the season, and was transfer listed on 5 June 2008.

Bury It was announced on 1 July 2008, that his contract had been terminated by Gillingham. Sodje was signed by Bury on a two-year contract as a player-coach, on 3 July 2008. At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, he was named 2nd vice-captain by Alan Knill after Ryan Lowe. In May 2011 he signed a new two-year contract extension.

He made his 500th league appearance in January 2012 playing for Bury in a 1–1 draw against Charlton Athletic.

Return to Macclesfield Town In June 2013 Sodje returned to Macclesfield Town as assistant manager to John Askey; Sodje also registered himself as a player for the Silkmen. He left the club for undisclosed reasons in November 2015.

International career Although born in England, Sodje like his brother Sam represented Nigeria at international level. He was part of the squad that finished second to Cameroon in the 2000 African Cup of Nations.

He was also part of the Nigeria squad that went to the 2002 FIFA World Cup making two appearances against Argentina and England. Sodje played 12 times, scoring once in a 2–1 friendly win against Republic of Ireland in 2002.

Personal life Born in Greenwich, London, his family originate from Warri, in Delta State, Nigeria. Sodje is the eldest of four brothers who all play football; three of them professionally and one semi-professionally. Sam and Akpo (the youngest of the four) have both played alongside him; he played alongside Akpo at Huddersfield Town and he has represented Nigeria at international level with Sam. Steve, who plays semi-professionally has never played a Football League game. Another brother, Bright, used to play rugby league and rugby union. His nephew Onome Sodje has also played professionally in England.

Sodje started wearing a do-rag in 1994 at the request of his mother.

In September 2017, Sodje (along with his brothers Stephen and Bright) was sentenced to 18 months in prison for fraud, having siphoned off money from a charity, the Sodje Sports Foundation.

Career statistics Club

Honours Stevenage Borough Football Conference: 1995–96

Macclesfield Town Football League Division Three runner-up: 1997–98

Crewe Alexandra Football League Division Three runner-up: 2002–03

Huddersfield Town Football League Third Division play-offs: 2004

Southend United Football League One: 2005–06

Bury Football League Two runner-up: 2010–11

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04