Reuben Agboola

Southampton

Agboola was born in Camden, London. When he was a schoolboy, his family moved to Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, where he played for Cheshunt's youth teams while also attending Southampton's London Selection Centre. In July 1978, he joined Southampton as an amateur before signing as a professional in April 1980, having made his reserve team debut in April 1979. His first-team debut came at Old Trafford on 29 November 1980, in the same match as Danny Wallace, when the "Saints" held Manchester United to a 1–1 draw.saintsplayers.co.uk After the match manager Lawrie McMenemy said: "I was thrilled coming to Old Trafford ... knowing I would put the two youngsters in. And why not? Matt Busby showed everyone about playing kids at Old Trafford years ago. Even if we had lost I would have enjoyed the game for their sake." He retained his position in the team for the next few games before the fit again Nick Holmes regained his place. He made only eleven appearances in his first two seasons as a professional. In November 1982, he eventually claimed the number 3 shirt as his own, ousting Steve Baker, where he formed a partnership with England international Mick Mills. In 1983 McMenemy decided to adopt the continental idea of a sweeper, and Agboola's "quick and alert defending" ideally suited him to the role, to such good effect that in 1983–84 Southampton recorded their highest-ever final position, second place behind Liverpool, as well as reaching the FA Cup Semi-final…

Agboola was eligible to represent Nigeria due to his father. He was first selected by coach Clemens Westerhof for Nigeria whilst with Sunderland, appearing in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ghana on 13 April 1991 thus becoming one of the first non-Nigerian born players to represent his native country. He was born in London to a Nigerian father and English mother. The "Super Eagles" qualified for the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal and made it to the semi-finals, where Ghana defeated them; Nigeria then beat Cameroon in the third place play-off. He made nine appearances for Nigeria, seven in the Nations Cup and two in World Cup qualifying matches.

He returned to Southampton where he became the landlord at the "Sporting View" bar at the Southampton Sports Centre before moving to Majorca in 2004 to run a bar.

Sunderland

Football League Third Division: 1987–88 Football League Second Division play-offs: 1989–90 Nigeria

Africa Cup of Nations third-place finish: 1992