A former Lincoln City striker yesterday completed his 51st transfer of what can only be described as a nomadic career.
Jefferson Louis spent a short time with the Imps at the end of the 2011/12 season, signing after a spell with Brackley, and it could be argued he played a huge part in our survival. Alongside his cousin, Richard Pacquette, he helped give David Holdsworth’s team a shot in the arm, earning us points at Kidderminster and Fleetwood, as well as scoring in the single-goal margin win against Hayes. He even bagged a brace against Darlington as we stayed up by a margin of eight points.
His stay at Sincil Bank was fleeting – the following season, he joined Newport County, scoring twice in as many games before playing against us without a goal. After that? Well, there’s a story. More on that in a moment.
In total, Louis has moved 51 times, the most recent of which has seen him leave Slough Town to join Beaconsfield Town. Of course, with experience like his, he’ll also be involved in coaching, something his new manager is delighted about.
Manager Jon Underwood told the club website: “Jeff is a fantastic character, a real winner and has already had a major influence on our dressing room when he’s been with us. I am extremely grateful to Slough manager Scott Davies, who has made this process very easy and straightforward, and being a good friend of Jeff’s he has allowed this to happen to give him a chance to get the regular football that he still craves.”
So who has Louis represented? He started with Risborough Rangers before (take a deep breath) moves to Thame United, Aylesbury United, Thame United (again), Oxford United, Woking (loan), Gravesend & Northfleet (loan), Forest Green Rovers, Woking, Bristol Rovers, Hemel Hempstead Town, Lewes, Worthing, Stevenage Borough, Eastleigh, Yeading, Havant & Waterlooville, Weymouth, Maidenhead United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Rushden & Diamonds (loan), Gainsborough Trinity, Darlington (loan), Weymouth, Hayes & Yeading United, Maidenhead United, Brackley Town, The Imps, Newport County, Whitehawk (loan), Brackley Town (again), Hendon, Margate, Lowestoft Town, Wealdstone, Staines Town, Oxford City, Banbury United, Chesham United, Farnborough, Chesham United (again), Hampton & Richmond Borough, St Albans City, Beaconsfield Town, North Leigh, Risborough Rangers (again), Thame United (and again), Slough Town and finally, Beaconsfield Town.
Phew. I think that’s 51 different moves. I lost count twice.