François Zoko


Bernard François Dassise Zoko, known as François Zoko, is an Ivorian professional footballer who is player-coach for Midland Football League Premier Division side Newark.

Career

Born in Daloa, Zoko began his career at youth team C.O. Savigny-sur-Orge and signed in 2000 for AS Nancy. He played four years at AS Nancy, playing 70 games and scoring 8 goals, before signing in summer 2004 for Stade Laval. Zoko then moved to R.A.E.C. Mons in 2006, and played 2 seasons in the Jupiler League. After 55 games and scoring 11 goals, Zoko was contacted by several teams in the Jupiler League, but decided to join the Ankara club for a new challenge in the Turkcell Süper Lig.
There were many off field problems at Hacettepe, which meant that Zoko finally left and joined his former R.A.E.C Mons manager at KV Oostende in January in order to play football again. At Oostende, Zoko played 11 games, scoring 4 goals and making 5 assists.
Throughout his career, Zoko has been used as a striker or winger. Whilst at Hacettepe Spor, Zoko was also used as a central midfielder.

Carlisle United

Zoko was on trial with League One side Carlisle United ahead of the 2010–11 season, scoring in a 4–1 pre-season friendly victory against Kendal Town. After impressing during a two-week trial, Zoko signed a permanent one-year contract with the club in July 2010. On joining Carlisle, Zoko said "I am really looking forward to playing for Carlisle United and I hope that I score goals and do well". Zoko made his debut for Carlisle in the club's first game of the 2010–11 season, playing 75 minutes in Carlisle's 2–0 win against Brentford. He received a standing ovation from the Carlisle United supporters when he was substituted, and manager Greg Abbott said there's "more to come" from Zoko.
Zoko has had an amazing start to life in English football and is already a crowd and team favourite, and under 10 matches into his season, he is already being offered a new contract in order to keep Championship and Premiership teams away.
Zoko has been strongly linked to Wigan, Swansea and Burnley.
Among management and the players, Zoko is highly respected and loved due to his hard work, funny personality and humble ways.
Carlisle manager Gregg Abott has mainly used Zoko at the top of his diamond formation due to his explosive pace, skill, imagination/vision, relentless hard work and experience.
On 6 June 2012, Zoko revealed he wanted to play at a higher level and quit Carlisle United after refusing a new contract. A number of Championship clubs have been linked with the skilful forward, with Middlesbrough and Charlton being some of a number involved. The 'Ivorian Enigma' received many tributes after his exit from the Border City and says his time at the club will always be remembered. BBC Radio Cumbria reporter James Phillips commented saying "He may just be one of the greatest raw talents Carlisle United have ever had on his day".
In July 2012, it was reported that Sheffield United and Preston North End were interested in signing the free agent following his release from Carlisle United.

Notts County

On 3 August 2012, Zoko signed a two-year deal with Notts County. He made his competitive debut in the league against Crewe. He also scored his first goal for the club as they ran out 2–1 winners. He scored his second goal for the club just three days later against Hartlepool in a 2–0 win. Zoko came of the bench to score his 4th goal for Notts County, in a 4–0 victory over his old team Carlisle. He picked up the man of the match award in a 4–1 victory over Bury, after coming of the bench to score two goals.
On 29 August 2013, Zoko left Notts County by mutual consent, because he was on too high of a wage for the club.

Stevenage

Following his departure from Notts County, Zoko signed a short-term deal with League One side Stevenage on 4 October, on a contract lasting until January 2014. He made a goalscoring debut for the club four days after signing, poking in Michael Doughty's shot to restore parity in an eventual 2–1 home win over Milton Keynes Dons in the Football League Trophy. In Stevenage's next match, Zoko scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Brentford at Broadhall Way, the club's first home league win of the season. Zoko made it four goals in his first three games when he scored a late consolation strike in Stevenage's 2–1 loss at Walsall on 19 October. He waited three weeks before netting again, this time scoring twice in Stevenage's 2–1 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup on 9 November, taking his seasonal goal tally to six. Three days later, Zoko scored in a 3–2 win over Leyton Orient in the Football League Trophy; his goal coming in just the third minute when he connected with Luke Freeman's inswinging cross. He took his goal tally for the season to ten when he scored in three consecutive matches towards the end of November and start of December, scoring in league defeats to Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town, before netting a headed goal in a 4–0 win over Stourbridge in the FA Cup Second Round. Zoko ended the year by scoring a late consolation strike in Stevenage's 4–1 loss away at Bristol City, curling the ball into the goal with a first-time finish after good work from Luke Freeman. He scored in the club's first game of 2014, the final game before Zoko's short-term contract was set to expire, a 3–2 win away at Championship side Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup. Just three days later, on 7 January 2014, Zoko signed a contract to remain at Stevenage for the rest of the 2013–14 season.
In 40 appearances for Stevenage, he scored 16 goals.
On 17 May 2014, Zoko was released by Stevenage.

Blackpool

On 15 August 2014, Zoko signed for Championship club Blackpool on a one-year contract. He made his debut for the club the next day as a second-half substitute. He scored his first goal for Blackpool in a 1–0 win over Cardiff City on 3 October 2014.
On 22 November 2014, Zoko joined Bradford City on loan until 17 January 2015. He scored his first goal for Bradford in a 1–0 win over Crawley Town on 3 March 2015.

Yeovil Town

On 21 November 2015, Zoko signed for League Two side Yeovil Town on a short-term contract. Having scored four goals since signing for Yeovil, on 21 January 2015, Zoko extended his contract until the end of the season. At the end of the 2018–19 season, Zoko was released by Yeovil following the club's relegation from the Football League.

Grantham Town

In September 2019, Zoko joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Grantham Town as a player/first-team coach, as well as taking up a Football in the Community role.

International career

Zoko has been capped for Ivory Coast at U-20 level, and played at 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship alongside Everton striker Arouna Koné and has also played for Ivory Coast at U-23 level.

Career statistics

Honours

;Carlisle United