Mamady Sidibé

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 Forward
Youth career
1995–1997 Bagneux
1997–1998 Massy Palaiseau
1998–2000 Red Star 93
2000–2001 CA Paris-Charenton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
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 and correct as of 17 December 2013 (UTC).


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

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 first team and help to the club to gain promotion to the Premier League in 2008. Since the 2009–10 season Sidibé has picked up numerous long term injuries. Sidibé spent time out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Tranmere Rovers before his contract at Stoke ended in May 2013. He then joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in August 2013.

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 England 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 went 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 plays at international level for Mali, earning his first cap in 2002.[50] In October 2007 he was stabbed by a spectator during an international match with Togo and suffered what was described as a "horrific injury".[51]

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.[52]

Sidibé has a younger brother, Lassana, who in 2009 signed for Dover Athletic, who were managed by the elder Sidibé's former Gillingham team-mate 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.[53] However Lassana was not offered a contract and returned to Dover. His cousin Moussa Sidibé is also a footballer.[54]

Despite growing up in Paris Sidibé supported their great rivals Marseille.[55] He released his autobiography in 2013 entitled:"The Luckiest man in football".[56] On July 12, 2014, Sidibe and his wife, Bineta opened a pâtisserie in the Potteries Shopping Centre called Melice.[57]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 December 2013[58]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Swansea City 2001–02 Third Division 317211010358
Total 317211010358
Gillingham 2002–03 First Division 3033110–344
2003–04 First Division 4151130–456
2004–05 Championship 3520011–363
Total 1061042510011513
Stoke City 2005–06 Championship 4264110–477
2006–07 Championship 4392010–469
2007–08 Championship 3541010–374
2008–09 Premier League 2230021–224
2009–10 Premier League 2425010–302
2010–11 Premier League 200000–20
2011–12 Premier League 000000–00
2012–13 Premier League 000000–00
Total 16824121610018626
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2012–13 Championship 910000–91
Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2012–13 League One 1000000–100
CSKA Sofia 2013–14 A PFG 11141––152
Career total 335432251221037050
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs and Football League Trophy.

International

As of June 2011[59]

Mali national team
YearAppsGoals
200210
200340
200420
200510
200620
200710
200830
Total140

Honours

Stoke City

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.
  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 2010-02-28.
  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 2008-09-07.
  14. ↑ "Sidibe decides to quit Gillingham". BBC Sport. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  15. ↑ "Stoke sign Gills striker Sidibe". BBC Sport. 23 June 2005.
  16. ↑ "Pulis delighted at Sidibe signing". BBC Sport. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  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 2008-12-04.
  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 2010-01-09.
  25. ↑ "Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe signs new contract". BBC Sport. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  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.
  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.
  32. ↑ "Mali's Mamady Sidibe set to play for Stoke reserves". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  33. ↑ "Mama's Return Sparks Victory". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  34. ↑ "Stoke City striker Mama Sidibe injured in reserves comeback". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  35. ↑ "Sidibe reveals pain of his latest injury agony". The Sentinel. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  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.
  47. ↑ "Ex Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe on trial at Southend United". Echo News. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  48. ↑ "Former Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe ends trial with Southend United". Echo News. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  49. ↑ "Stoke City hero Mama Sidibe signs for Potteries Sunday League". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  50. ↑ "Mali look to Europe". BBC Sport. 11 October 2002. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  51. ↑ "Sidibe back at Stoke after attack". BBC Sport. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  52. ↑ "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.
  53. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (16 July 2009). "Port Vale: Mini Mama handed trial by Valiants boss Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  54. ↑ Moussa Sidibé (Nîmes) suscite l’intérêt… "l’arrière droit Moussa Sidibé, 30 ans et cousin de l’international malien Mamady Sidibé"
  55. ↑ Stoke City Official Matchday Magazine 20 September 2011 v Tottenham Hotspur
  56. ↑ "Mama Mia! Stoke City legend Sidibe tells his life story to inspire students". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  57. ↑ "Melice Patisserie Officially Opens". 6 Towns Radio. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  58. ↑ "Mamady Sidibe". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  59. ↑ "Sidibe, Mamady". National Football Teams. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
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