Taiwo Atieno
Encyclopedia
Taiwo Leo Awuonda Atieno (born 6 August 1985 in Brixton
) is an English-born Kenya international
footballer, who currently plays for League Two
side Torquay United
. He previously played in the Football League
for Walsall
, Rochdale
, Chester City
and Darlington
, and in the USL First Division
for the Puerto Rico Islanders
and Rochester Rhinos. He first appeared for the Kenya national team in June 2009.
correspondent, and Bridget Mary Glaisher, and he began his football career at the age of 15 with Walsall F.C.
. After graduating from the club's youth system, during which time he spent a month with Southern League Premier Division club Nuneaton Borough on work experience, Atieno signed professional contract forms in July 2004 under then manager Paul Merson
.
He had loan spells at Rochdale
, Chester City
, Kidderminster Harriers
, and Darlington
. Atieno was released by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season following their relegation from League One
.
He played three games for Dagenham & Redbridge
before signing for Conference National
club Tamworth
in August 2006. Atieno scored 12 league goals, though these were not enough to keep Tamworth from relegation to the Conference North
in April 2007.
to join USL First Division
team Puerto Rico Islanders
.
Signing in July, Atieno started his spell well, scoring 7 goals in 12 games. The Islanders surpassed expectations reaching the semi finals of the USL playoffs. Atieno providing 2 goals against an experienced Montreal Impact
side. In the 2008 campaign, Atieno scored a historic goal advancing Puerto Rico Islanders to CONCACAF Champions League
group stages. Islanders overcame a 2–1 deficit to knock out the Primera División de Costa Rica
L.D. Alajuelense. L.D. Alajuelense was the first Costa Rican team to win a CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1986.
In March 2009, Atieno joined Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division; he had been traded to Charleston Battery
during the off-season, but had not played for them.
team Luton Town
in March 2010 on a short-term contract, but left in July. After training with top South African club Supersport United during the English summer, he rejoined Luton on 2 September 2010 on a contract until January 2011 after no deal with the South Africans was forthcoming.
Atieno scored his first goal for Luton against Bath City
on 30 October. This was then followed up with two goals in a 4–2 FA Cup
First Round replay victory over Corby Town
on 17 November. Atieno's goal-scoring form continued into January where he followed up a brace of goals in the FA Trophy
against Uxbridge
with the final goal (his seventh of the season in all competitions) in Luton's 5–0 home win over York City
on 18 January 2011. Despite this goalscoring run, Luton opted not to extend Atieno's contract. He was released on 31 January.
On 11 February 2011, Atieno signed for League Two
side Stevenage, and made his debut the next day, starting in their 1–0 away loss at Shrewsbury Town
. It was to be Atieno's only appearance during Stevenage's 2010–11 campaign
, and he was released by the club in May 2011 when his contract expired.
Ahead of the 2011–12
season, Atieno went on a two-week trial with League Two side Torquay United
. He scored in the club's first pre-season friendly, scoring from the penalty spot in a 2–1 win against Tiverton Town
on 13 July 2011. Three days later, Atieno scored again in Torquay's 2–0 victory over Championship
side Bristol City
. He signed a one-year contract with Torquay on 25 July 2011, with manager Martin Ling
stating — "He has impressed us while he's been here and we've put in a contract that we feel is right". Atieno made his competitive debut for Torquay in the club's first game of the 2011–12 campaign, coming on as a 68th minute substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burton Albion
. A week later, Atieno scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win away at Bristol Rovers
, finishing sharply on the turn. He also won the penalty for Torquay's second goal in the same match.
, telling a reporter for the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation "It has been my dream to play for Kenya since I was 13". After Kenya's immigration minister stated that Atieno had to renounce his British citizenship before he could be granted a Kenyan passport, this seemed unlikely. Though reports the following day suggested he had received his passport and could play in the World Cup qualifier
against Tunisia
, this appeared not to have been the case. He made his debut as a late substitute in the June 2009 qualifier against Mozambique
, played the whole of a friendly
defeat in Bahrain
, was again a substitute in the second qualifier against Mozambique, and played 46 minutes in the 1–0 qualifying loss to Tunisia.
.
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
) is an English-born Kenya international
Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
footballer, who currently plays for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. He previously played in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, and in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
for the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
and Rochester Rhinos. He first appeared for the Kenya national team in June 2009.
England
Born Opiyo Taiwo Leo Awuonda, Atieno is the son of Moussa Awuonda, a former Nation NewspapersDaily Nation
The Daily Nation is a Kenyan independent newspaper. It is the most influential newspaper in Kenya with a daily circulation of about 205,000 copies. The total readership is likely to be higher as each copy is read by a large number of people...
correspondent, and Bridget Mary Glaisher, and he began his football career at the age of 15 with Walsall F.C.
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. After graduating from the club's youth system, during which time he spent a month with Southern League Premier Division club Nuneaton Borough on work experience, Atieno signed professional contract forms in July 2004 under then manager Paul Merson
Paul Merson
Paul Charles Merson is a retired English football player, and former player-manager of Walsall. His playing career has included spells at Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and finishing his playing career at Tamworth. He also played for England 21 times...
.
He had loan spells at Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. Atieno was released by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season following their relegation from League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
He played three games for Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
before signing for Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
in August 2006. Atieno scored 12 league goals, though these were not enough to keep Tamworth from relegation to the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
in April 2007.
United States
Atieno left Tamworth after the 2006–07 season, moving to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to join USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
team Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
Signing in July, Atieno started his spell well, scoring 7 goals in 12 games. The Islanders surpassed expectations reaching the semi finals of the USL playoffs. Atieno providing 2 goals against an experienced Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
side. In the 2008 campaign, Atieno scored a historic goal advancing Puerto Rico Islanders to CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
group stages. Islanders overcame a 2–1 deficit to knock out the Primera División de Costa Rica
Primera División de Costa Rica
Primera División de Costa Rica is a professional league for association football clubs in Costa Rica. At the top of the Costa Rican league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 12 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Segunda División...
L.D. Alajuelense. L.D. Alajuelense was the first Costa Rican team to win a CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1986.
In March 2009, Atieno joined Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division; he had been traded to Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
during the off-season, but had not played for them.
Back to England
He moved back to England with Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
team Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in March 2010 on a short-term contract, but left in July. After training with top South African club Supersport United during the English summer, he rejoined Luton on 2 September 2010 on a contract until January 2011 after no deal with the South Africans was forthcoming.
Atieno scored his first goal for Luton against Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
on 30 October. This was then followed up with two goals in a 4–2 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
First Round replay victory over Corby Town
Corby Town F.C.
Corby Town F.C. is an English football club based in Corby, Northamptonshire. They will be members of the Conference North for the 2011–12 season. The Steelmen play their home games at the newly built Steel Park, adjacent to their previous ground, Rockingham Triangle Sports Stadium, which is...
on 17 November. Atieno's goal-scoring form continued into January where he followed up a brace of goals in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
against Uxbridge
Uxbridge F.C.
Uxbridge Football Club are a football club representing Uxbridge but now based in West Drayton, in the County of Middlesex England. They were established in 1871 and are one of the oldest clubs in the South of England. They were founder members of the Southern League Division Two in 1894 and have...
with the final goal (his seventh of the season in all competitions) in Luton's 5–0 home win over York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
on 18 January 2011. Despite this goalscoring run, Luton opted not to extend Atieno's contract. He was released on 31 January.
On 11 February 2011, Atieno signed for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Stevenage, and made his debut the next day, starting in their 1–0 away loss at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. It was to be Atieno's only appearance during Stevenage's 2010–11 campaign
2010–11 Stevenage F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Stevenage F.C.s first season in the Football League, where the club competed in League Two. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club were played in the season...
, and he was released by the club in May 2011 when his contract expired.
Ahead of the 2011–12
2011–12 in English football
The 2011–12 season is the 132nd season of competitive football in England.The season began on 5 August 2011 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier starting eight days later, League Football Conference Starting one day before Premier League starts.The Championship, League One, and League Two...
season, Atieno went on a two-week trial with League Two side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. He scored in the club's first pre-season friendly, scoring from the penalty spot in a 2–1 win against Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
on 13 July 2011. Three days later, Atieno scored again in Torquay's 2–0 victory over Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
. He signed a one-year contract with Torquay on 25 July 2011, with manager Martin Ling
Martin Ling
Martin Ling is an English football manager and former player, who is currently manager of Torquay United in League Two. He played in over 100 Football League matches for Exeter City, Southend United, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before moving into management where he led Orient for over five...
stating — "He has impressed us while he's been here and we've put in a contract that we feel is right". Atieno made his competitive debut for Torquay in the club's first game of the 2011–12 campaign, coming on as a 68th minute substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
. A week later, Atieno scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win away at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, finishing sharply on the turn. He also won the penalty for Torquay's second goal in the same match.
International career
In January 2009 Atieno declared his desire to play for the Kenya national football teamKenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
, telling a reporter for the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation "It has been my dream to play for Kenya since I was 13". After Kenya's immigration minister stated that Atieno had to renounce his British citizenship before he could be granted a Kenyan passport, this seemed unlikely. Though reports the following day suggested he had received his passport and could play in the World Cup qualifier
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - CAF Third Round
This page provides the summaries of the CAF Third Round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. The 20 qualifiers were split into 5 groups of four, in the draw held on 22 October 2008 in Zürich, Switzerland...
against Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
, this appeared not to have been the case. He made his debut as a late substitute in the June 2009 qualifier against Mozambique
Mozambique national football team
The Mozambique national football team , popularly known as Os Mambas, represents Mozambique in association football and is controlled by the Federação Moçambicana de Futebol, the governing body for football in Mozambique...
, played the whole of a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
defeat in Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
, was again a substitute in the second qualifier against Mozambique, and played 46 minutes in the 1–0 qualifying loss to Tunisia.
Personal life
Atieno has an identical twin brother, Kehinde Roberts, who plays basketball at West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, about miles west of Philadelphia. It is one of the 14 state universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education . West Chester was ranked 69th in the Master's Universities ...
.
Honours
Puerto Rico Islanders- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Commissioner's Cup (1): 2008United Soccer Leagues 2008The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...