Mamady Sidibé

Mamady Sidibé (born 18 December 1979) is a Malian former footballer who played as a forward.

Mamady Sidibé

Sidibé playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Mamady Sidibé[1]
Date of birth	(1979-12-18) 18 December 1979
Place of birth	Kremis, Mali
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Playing position(s)	Forward
Youth career
1995–1997	Bagneux
1997–1998	Massy Palaiseau
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2000	Red Star 93
2000–2001	CA Paris-Charenton
2001–2002	Swansea City	31	(7)
2002–2005	Gillingham	106	(10)
2005–2013	Stoke City	168	(24)
2012–2013	→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	9	(1)
2013	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	10	(0)
2013	CSKA Sofia	11	(1)
Total		335	(43)
National team
2002–2008	Mali	14	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Sidibé moved from his native Mali to France when he was two years old. After playing football for a number of lower French league sides he joined Swansea City in 2001. He spent a single season at the Welsh club before signing for Gillingham. After three and a half years in Kent Sidibé rejected an offer of a new contract and joined Stoke City in July 2005 on a free transfer.

He went on to become a key member of Tony Pulis's first team and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League in 2008. His career at Stoke was disrupted from 2010 by a serious Achilles tendon injury, which recurred after his return and was then compounded by a knee dislocation, in total keeping him out of first-team football for more than two years. After his return, Sidibé spent time out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere Rovers before his contract at Stoke ended in May 2013. He then briefly joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, before retiring from professional football in 2015.

Club career

Early life in France

Sidibé was born in Kremis, Kayes Region in Mali before his family migrated to France when he was two years old. He lived in Pantin before moving to Bagneux, Hauts-de-Seine where he joined the local under thirteen football team. At the age of 15 he joined Massy Palaiseau, a youth team in the 91st district where he played for a whole season as a defender. He impressed watching scouts and was signed by local team Red Star 93 where he played along with Fousseni Diawara, Samba Diawara, Diomansy Kamara and Abdoulaye Méïté. On the last day of the 1999–2000 season, the coach decided to play him as a striker and he scored his first goal of the season while playing what was his last game for Red Star. The following season, he joined CA Paris-Charenton as a result of Red Star's financial demise which led to the club almost filing for bankruptcy.[3] He left for the United Kingdom when he was 21 years old to join Swansea City.

Swansea City

Sidibé was signed by Swansea City on 25 August 2001 after a successful trial.[4] He scored on his League debut for The Swans in a 3–1 win over Macclesfield Town on the opening day of the 2001–02 season.[5] He continued his impressive form and produced a man of the match display against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup.[6][7] This prompted interest from other clubs.[8] He held talks with Barnsley over a £200,000 transfer in December.[9] However, he could not agree personal terms.[10]

After picking up an ankle injury in December Sidibé returned to France however he failed to return on the agreed date and was disciplined by the club.[11] He returned to the club in February 2002 and was offered a new contract which Sidibé rejected.[12]

Gillingham

In August 2002 he joined Gillingham,[13] for whom he scored 13 goals in 115 matches. When Gillingham were relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season, Sidibé declined the offer of a new contract.[14]

Stoke City

Sidibé joined Stoke City on a two-year contract on a free transfer in June 2005.[15] Tony Pulis, who brought Sidibé to Stoke, was sacked just four days later.[16][17] He performed as a lone striker for the early stages of the 2005–06 season, keeping Bruce Dyer on the bench. Eventually, new Stoke manager Johan Boskamp signed Sambégou Bangoura to play alongside him in attack. He scored his first goal for City in a 3–1 win against Norwich City in August 2005.[18] However, he did not score again for another 15 games.[19]

Sidibé in action at the Britannia Stadium for Stoke City.

He went on to make 47 appearances during the 2005–06 season scoring seven goals. Sidibé was more prolific during the 2006–07 season scoring nine goals as Stoke narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Sidibé made 33 appearances for Stoke City in the 2007–08 season, scoring four goals including a vital brace against Bristol City as Stoke were promoted to the Premier League.[20] On 23 August 2008, Sidibé scored the third goal in Stoke City's 3–2 home win against Aston Villa, when Rory Delap's long throw was headed home by Sidibé. This was Stoke's first ever win in the Premier League. Sidibé has since gone on to score his second Premier League goal of his career and season against West Bromwich Albion in a 1–0 win against their fellow newly promoted rivals. On 6 December, Sidibé netted his third goal at Newcastle United, to start the fightback from Stoke losing 2–0 to eventually draw 2–2, putting them 13th place in the league. On 12 December, Sidibé suffered a knee injury whilst playing for Stoke City against Fulham at the Britannia Stadium.[21] The injury kept Sidibé out for two months but he injured the same knee again during the warm up for a reserve game against Aston Villa Reserves.[22] It was revealed that he needed surgery.[23]

Sidibé made his return from injury coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The decision by the management to rush Sidibé back from injury has come under heavy criticism from supporters. Sidibé thought he scored in a 1–0 defeat at Aston Villa however referee Lee Probert deemed it to be a foul on Stephen Warnock. He made his 150th appearance for City against Fulham on 6 January 2010 when he scored the third goal in a 3–2 win for Stoke.[24] Sidibé signed a new contract at Stoke in February 2010, extending his stay at the Britannia Stadium until June 2012.[25]

Sidibé playing on loan for Tranmere Rovers.

Sidibé snapped his achilles tendon against Tottenham Hotspur which ruled him out the rest of 2010.[26][27] He returned to first team training in January 2011.[28] He marked his return to the side by scoring in a reserve game against Burton Albion on 8 February.[29] However two days later in a training session Sidibé again snapped his Achilles tendon ending his season.[30] Sidibé admitted he broke down in tears when he snapped his right Achilles tendon for a second time in six months.[31]

After 14 months out Sidibé made his comeback from his injury in a reserve match against Nottingham Forest.[32][33] However, in his next reserve match against Port Vale Sidibé suffered more injury woe as he was carried off in the second half with a dislocated knee.[34] After suffering his third serious injury in two years Sidibé admitted that he had considered retiring from football.[35][36] On 22 November 2012 Sidibé joined Sheffield Wednesday on a months loan.[37] His loan spell at Hillsborough was extended until 19 January 2013.[38] He scored his first goal for the "Owls" in a 1–0 win away at Bolton Wanderers.[39] In February 2013 Sidibé joined League One side Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season.[40] His loan spell at Prenton Park was cut short due to an abductor injury.[41] He left Stoke at the end of the 2012–13 season after scoring 26 goals in 186 appearances for the club in an eight-year spell.[42]

CSKA Sofia

On 29 July 2013 Sidibé joined Scottish League One side Rangers on trial.[43] He then joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on trial.[44] On 28 August 2013, Sidibé signed a one-year contract with CSKA Sofia.[45] He made his league debut on 13 September, in a 1–0 away win against Pirin Gotse Delchev, playing the full 90 minutes. Four days later, Sidibé scored his first goal in Bulgaria, netting fifth in a 6–2 home win over Haskovo in the Bulgarian Cup. Sidibé had a difficult time settling in Bulgaria and was released from the club in December 2013.[46]

Later career

Sidibe had a trial at Southend United in October 2014.[47][48] He retired from professional football in February 2015 due to family and business commitments, and began playing Sunday League football.[49]

International career

Sidibé played at international level for Mali. He was first called up to the national team shortly after his debut for Gillingham, featuring in two unofficial friendlies in the south of France against Istres and Monaco, scoring against the latter.[50]

His first official cap came in a qualifier for the African Cup of Nations against the Seychelles in 2002.[51] He was part of Mali's squads for the 2004 and 2008 African Cup of Nations, but made only one substitute appearance in each tournament.[52][53]

In October 2007 he was stabbed by a spectator during an international match with Togo and suffered what was described as a "horrific injury".[54]

Personal life

When Mamady was a teenager living in Paris he "fell in with the wrong crowd", his father Souleymane beat him as punishment for this.

"It was a really bad neighbourhood. A lot of friends went to prison and some died as well because they had nothing to do, just selling drugs." I have lost four good friends, either through gang wars or by accident. I started to sell drugs. Hard drugs, soft drugs. But I didn't do it for a long time because I was so afraid of my dad if the police came to my house. My dad was always out looking what I was doing. He was a really hard man and if he saw me walking with some bad guys, when I went back home he would hit or kick me. I was very angry with him at the time but now I understand. I was lucky he was so hard on me. If he hadn't stopped me, I'd have been like them".

— Sidibé recounts his hard life in Paris.[55]

Sidibé has a younger brother, Lassana, who in 2009 signed for Dover Athletic, who were managed by the elder Sidibé's former Gillingham teammate Andy Hessenthaler. In July 2009, Lassana played a pre-season friendly for Stoke's rivals Port Vale, in an attempt to follow Mamady into the Football League.[56] However Lassana was not offered a contract and returned to Dover. His cousin Moussa Sidibé is also a footballer.[57]

Despite growing up in Paris Sidibé supported their great rivals Marseille.[58] He released his autobiography in 2013 entitled The Luckiest Man in Football.[59] On 12 July 2014, Sidibe and his wife, Bineta, opened a pâtisserie in the Potteries Shopping Centre called Melice.[60]

Career statistics

Club

Source:[61]

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Swansea City	2001–02[62]	Third Division	31	7	2	1	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	35	8
Gillingham	2002–03[63]	First Division	30	3	3	1	1	0	—		34	4
	2003–04[64]	First Division	41	5	1	1	3	0	—		45	6
	2004–05[65]	Championship	35	2	0	0	1	1	—		36	3
	Total		106	10	4	2	5	1	0	0	115	13
Stoke City	2005–06[66]	Championship	42	6	4	1	1	0	—		47	7
	2006–07[67]	Championship	43	9	2	0	1	0	—		46	9
	2007–08[68]	Championship	35	4	1	0	1	0	—		37	4
	2008–09[69]	Premier League	22	3	0	0	2	1	—		24	4
	2009–10[70]	Premier League	24	2	5	0	1	0	—		30	2
	2010–11[71]	Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	2011–12[72]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2012–13[73]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		168	24	12	1	6	1	0	0	186	26
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	2012–13[73]	Championship	9	1	0	0	0	0	—		9	1
Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2012–13[73]	League One	10	0	0	0	0	0	—		10	0
CSKA Sofia	2013–14	A PFG	11	1	4	1	—		—		15	2
Career total			335	43	22	5	12	2	1	0	370	50

1. Appearances in Football League Trophy

International

Source:[74]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Mali	2002	1	0
	2003	4	0
	2004	2	0
	2005	1	0
	2006	2	0
	2007	1	0
	2008	3	0
Total		14	0

Honours

Stoke City

• Football League Championship runner-up: 2007–08

References

1. Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 56. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
2. "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
3. "All on Mamady Biography – Early years". mamadysidibe.com. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
4. "French striker joins Swansea". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
5. "Macclesfield vs Swansea City". swanseacity.net. 15 March 2011.
6. "Swansea City vs QPR". swanseacity.net. 15 March 2011.
7. "Swansea 4–0 QPR". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
8. "Swans reject Sidebe bids". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
9. "Barnsley in talks with Sidibe". BBC Sport. 3 December 2001. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
10. "Sidibe stalls Barnsley". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
11. "Sidibe faces fine". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
12. "Sidibe heads for Swans exit". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011.
13. "Gills sign striker Sidibe". BBC Sport. 7 August 2002. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
14. "Sidibe decides to quit Gillingham". BBC Sport. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
15. "Stoke sign Gills striker Sidibe". BBC Sport. 23 June 2005.
16. "Pulis delighted at Sidibe signing". BBC Sport. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
17. "Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
18. "Stoke 3–1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
19. "Striker Sidibe gets Stoke support". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
20. "Stoke 2–1 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
21. "Potters waiting on Sidibe injury". BBC Sport. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
22. "Sidibe faces scan on knee injury". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
23. "Sidibe targets October comeback". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
24. "Stoke City's Mamady Sidibe pleased to net first goal". BBC Sport. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
25. "Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe signs new contract". BBC Sport. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
26. "Injury Heartache For Sidibe". stokecityfc.com. 21 August 2010.
27. "Stoke's injured Mamady Sidibe will miss rest of season". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010.
28. "Stoke City's Mama Sidibe excited by first-team return". BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
29. "Sidibe on Target in Comeback". stokecityfc.com. 13 February 2011. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011.
30. "Sidibe Tipped To Bounce Back". stokecityfc.com. 13 February 2011.
31. "Sidibe speaks of heartache after suffering second Achilles injury". thisisstaffordshire.co.uk. 7 April 2011.
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34. "Stoke City striker Mama Sidibe injured in reserves comeback". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
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36. "'I Have So Many People To Repay' – Sidibe". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
37. "Sidibe's Joins Owls on Loan". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
38. "Sheffield Wednesday extend loan deals for Jeremy Helan and Mamady Sidibe". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
39. "Bolton 0–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
40. "Mamady Sidibe: Stoke City striker joins Tranmere Rovers on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
41. "Mamady Sidibe & Adam McGurk to miss Tranmere's run-in". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
42. "Potters Announce Retained List". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
43. "Rangers look at internationals Mamady Sidibe and Hameur Bouazza". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
44. "Malian giant debut goal for CSKA". Sportal.bg. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
45. "Официално: Мамади Сидибе парафира с ЦСКА". gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 28 August 2013.
46. "Стойчо развъртя метлата в ЦСКА! Изгони 7 футболисти от "Армията"". topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 20 December 2013.
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51. "Mali look to Europe". BBC Sport. 11 October 2002. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
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55. "Who is the Premier League striker who scored a winning goal last week, but today admits he was a drug dealer?". Daily Mail. 2 November 2010.
56. Baggaley, Michael (16 July 2009). "Port Vale: Mini Mama handed trial by Valiants boss Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
57. Moussa Sidibé (Nîmes) suscite l’intérêt… "l’arrière droit Moussa Sidibé, 30 ans et cousin de l’international malien Mamady Sidibé"
58. Stoke City Official Matchday Magazine 20 September 2011 v Tottenham Hotspur
59. "Mama Mia! Stoke City legend Sidibe tells his life story to inspire students". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
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63. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
64. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
65. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
66. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
67. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
68. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
69. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
70. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
71. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
72. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
73. "Games played by Mamady Sidibé in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
74. "Sidibe, Mamady". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 6 June 2011.

External links

• Mamady Sidibe at Soccerbase
• Mamady Sidibé at Soccerway
• Sidibe key to Stoke survival BBC Sport Article