{{Short description|Cameroonian footballer (born 1986)}} {{Use British English|date=July 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox football biography |name = George Elokobi |image = George Elokobi 1.png |caption = Elokobi playing for Nottingham Forest in 2012 |fullname = George Nganyuo Elokobi<ref name="Hugman2010-11 139">{{cite book |last1=Hugman |first1=Barry |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0}}</ref> |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1986|01|31}}<ref name="SB">{{soccerbase|39301|name=George Elokobi}}</ref> |birth_place = Mamfe, Cameroon |height = 1.83 m<ref name="SB"/> |position = Centre back |currentclub = Maidstone United (manager) |years1 = 2002–2004 |clubs1 = Dulwich Hamlet |caps1 = |goals1 = |years2 = 2004–2008 |clubs2 = Colchester United |caps2 = 39 |goals2 = 2 |years3 = 2005 |clubs3 = → Chester City (loan) |caps3 = 5 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2008–2014 |clubs4 = Wolverhampton Wanderers |caps4 = 85 |goals4 = 2 |years5 = 2012 |clubs5 = → Nottingham Forest (loan) |caps5 = 12 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2012 |clubs6 = → Bristol City (loan) |caps6 = 1 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2014–2015 |clubs7 = Oldham Athletic |caps7 = 24 |goals7 = 3 |years8 = 2015–2017 |clubs8 = Colchester United |caps8 = 46 |goals8 = 3 |years9 = 2016 |clubs9 = → Braintree Town (loan) |caps9 = 7 |goals9 = 0 |years10 = 2017–2019 |clubs10 = Leyton Orient |caps10 = 24 |goals10 = 2 |years11 = 2019 |clubs11 = Aldershot Town |caps11 = 13 |goals11 = 0 |years12 = 2019–2022 |clubs12 = Maidstone United |caps12 = 55 |goals12 = 2 |totalcaps = 311 |totalgoals = 14 |manageryears1 = 2023–2026 |managerclubs1 = Maidstone United }} '''George Nganyuo Elokobi''' (born 31 January 1986) is a Cameroonian-French<ref>{{cite news |title=Coupe d'Angleterre : le rêve continue pour Maidstone, club de 6e division |access-date=20 November 2024 |website=Le Figaro |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/angleterre/coupe-d-angleterre-le-reve-continue-pour-maidstone-club-de-6e-division-20240106 |date=6 January 2024 }}</ref> football coach and former player who was recently manager of National League South club Maidstone United.
Elokobi, a centre back, moved from his native Cameroon to England at the age of 16, where he entered non-League football with Dulwich Hamlet. After a trial period, he was signed by Colchester United. He was loaned to Chester City in January 2005, where he made his professional debut, before going on to make 46 appearances for Colchester. He was signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2008, helping the club to promotion to the Premier League. He established himself as a regular in the first-team between 2009 and 2011, before he was loaned to Nottingham Forest for the second half of the 2011–12 season, making twelve league appearances. He was loaned out to Bristol City in September 2012, but suffered a near season-ending injury on his debut when he fractured his ankle. He fell out of favour at Wolves, and at the end of the 2013–14 season he was released, joining Oldham Athletic. He spent one season with Oldham before returning to Colchester United in 2015. He had a spell at National League side Braintree Town on loan from Colchester in 2016. He joined Leyton Orient in July 2017 and was released on his 33rd birthday. On 12 February 2019, Elokobi signed for fellow National League side Aldershot Town<ref name="Shots Sign Elokobi">{{cite web |url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/shots-sign-elokobi/ |title=Shots Sign Elokobi |date=12 February 2019 |publisher=Aldershot Town Football Club |access-date=12 February 2019 }}</ref> before moving on to Maidstone at the end of the year as a player/academy coach.
During his career he won promotion four times and scored in every division from the Premier League to National League South.
==Early years== Born in Mamfe, Cameroon,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/people/cameroon/31269/george-elokobi |title=George Elokobi |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> Elokobi was aged just eleven years old when he lost both his father (to diabetes) and his grandfather. He went to live with his grandmother the same year, while his mother moved to England to study. When she gained her qualifications, she found work and was able to send her son to one of the best boarding schools in Cameroon, St. Joseph's College Sasse. At the age of 16, Elokobi moved to London to join her, where he attended college, studying business, IT and sociology. Elokobi holds French nationality from his mother who holds both Cameroonian and French nationalities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coupe d'Angleterre : le rêve continue pour Maidstone, club de 6e division |access-date=20 November 2024 |website=Le Figaro |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/angleterre/coupe-d-angleterre-le-reve-continue-pour-maidstone-club-de-6e-division-20240106 |date=6 January 2024 }}</ref><ref name="guard">{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Stuart |date=6 March 2011 |title=George Elokobi ready to flex his muscles for Wolverhampton Wanderers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/mar/06/george-elokobi-flex-muscles-wolverhampton-wanderers |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
==Club career== ===Colchester United=== Shortly after his arrival in England in 2002, Elokobi joined the youth scheme at Isthmian League Division One side Dulwich Hamlet.<ref name="guard"/> It was here that he was spotted by Colchester United scouts. He was offered a trial at the end of the 2003–04 season, before becoming Phil Parkinson's fourth summer signing on 29 June 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 June 2004 |title=Soccer: Teen Elokobi signs for U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5436500.Soccer__Teen_Elokobi_signs_for_U_s/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
====Chester City loan==== Elokobi did not feature for Colchester's first-team in his first season with the club, but he was loaned to League Two Chester City for one month in January 2005, working under Ian Rush.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chester/4211999.stm |title=Chester sign U's defender on loan |date=27 January 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He made his professional debut for Chester on 29 January 2005, starting in their 3–0 defeat to Swansea City at Vetch Field.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4196239.stm |title=Swansea 3–0 Chester |date=29 January 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> On his fifth and final appearance for the club on 26 February, he was sent off for fouling Luke Rodgers in the penalty area during a 5–0 defeat away to Shrewsbury Town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/4279653.stm |title=Shrewsbury 5–0 Chester |date=26 February 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
====2005–06 season==== Despite failing to make a first-team appearance for Colchester during the 2004–05 season, Elokobi was rewarded with a new deal to remain at the club after making the substitutes bench for a number of games towards the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 May 2005 |title=Soccer: Young U's quartet staying |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5423601.Soccer__Young_U_s_quartet_staying/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He eventually made his U's debut on 24 August 2005 in their 2–0 defeat to Cardiff City in the League Cup at Layer Road. He replaced Pat Baldwin after 78 minutes of play.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/4171038.stm |title=Colchester 0–2 Cardiff |date=24 August 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He made his first league start three days later as Colchester were held to a 0–0 draw by Oldham Athletic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/colchester-vs-oldham/62455 |title=Colchester 0–0 Oldham |date=27 August 2005 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He then scored his first professional goal on 24 September with the opener at home against Huddersfield Town in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 September 2005 |title=Soccer: 'We should have won all three points' – Parky |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5541903.Soccer___We_should_have_won_all_three_points____Parky/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
Elokobi was ruled out of action through much of October and November 2005 after being diagnosed with mumps.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 October 2005 |title=Soccer: Mumps setback for ace |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5542262.Soccer__Mumps_setback_for_ace/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He returned to action on 23 November in Colchester's 3–2 extra time win against Northampton Town in the Football League Trophy, where he scored the U's equalising goal at 1–1 in the 57th minute of the tie.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 November 2005 |title=Soccer: Five on the spin for U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5543427.Soccer__Five_on_the_spin_for_U_s/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He made a total of twelve League One appearances across the season, with a further five in cup competitions,<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2005/2006">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2005|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> as he helped his side to second place in the table and promotion to the Championship.<ref name="WWCU">{{cite book |last1=Whitehead |first1=Jeff |last2=Drury |first2=Kevin |title=The Who's Who of Colchester United: The Layer Road Years |year=2008 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-85983-629-3 |page=82}}</ref>
====2006–07 season==== After starting both opening fixtures of Colchester's maiden season in the second tier of English football, a suspension earned after being sent off in a reserve game<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=10 August 2006 |title=Soccer: Elokobi will not change his style |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/871234.Soccer__Elokobi_will_not_change_his_style/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> meant that Elokobi was displaced by Cardiff City loanee Chris Barker, who retained the left-back position for much of the season.<ref name="WWCU"/> He made just ten league appearances over the course of the campaign.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2006/2007">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2006|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>
====2007–08 season==== Holding off competition from Danny Granville and securing the left-back position for himself in the early stages of the 2007–08 season,<ref name="WWCU"/> Elokobi's performances and three registered assists had seen him linked with a move to Scottish side Celtic in September 2008, but Elokobi said that it was "nice to get the recognition... but it will not affect my football and I will keep working hard".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=5 September 2007 |title=Williams scotches Elokobi rumours |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/1664577.Williams_scotches_Elokobi_rumours/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> After making 14 appearances, Elokobi handed in a transfer request in November 2007, stating that he had no intention of re-signing for the club once his contract expired in the summer of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spurgeon |first1=Simon |date=9 November 2007 |title=Elokobi hands in transfer request |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/1820704.Elokobi_hands_in_transfer_request/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> With the club yet to receive an offer for the player, he made his first start since handing in his transfer request on 1 December. He scored what would prove to be the decisive goal and his final Colchester goal in the 2–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Following the game, Elokobi insisted that he would "give 100 per cent for the club" while still with Colchester.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=4 December 2007 |title=Elokobi: I'll give my all |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/1878447.Elokobi__I_ll_give_my_all/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He played his final game for the U's in a 3–1 FA Cup home defeat by Peterborough United on 5 January 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7163957.stm |title=Colchester 1–3 Peterborough |date=5 January 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> having made 18 appearances in all competitions.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2007/2008">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2007|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>
===Wolverhampton Wanderers=== Elokobi's transfer request at Colchester alerted fellow Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign him on 31 January 2008 for an undisclosed fee on a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year deal,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=31 January 2008 |title=Elokobi seals move to Wolves |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/2010905.Elokobi_seals_move_to_Wolves/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> later revealed to be £500,000.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 February 2008 |title=George Elokobi: My rags to riches tale |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/george-elokobi-my-rags-to-riches-tale-57785 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He made his debut in Wolves' 0–0 draw at Blackpool on 12 February,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7236336.stm |title=Blackpool 0–0 Wolves |date=12 February 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> and quickly became a regular in the starting eleven, making 15 appearances from his debut until the end of the season.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2007/2008"/>
====2008–09 season==== Continuing how the previous season ended, Elokobi began the 2008–09 campaign as a regular starter under Mick McCarthy's stewardship, making three consecutive appearances from the opening day of the season.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2008/2009">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2008|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> However, in the fourth game of the season, a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on 23 August 2008, Elokobi suffered a serious knee ligament injury that was expected to rule him out for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7600897.stm |title=Season over for Wolves' Elokobi |date=5 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> During his injury lay-off, Elokobi was handed a new deal with the club as they surged to the Championship league title and earned promotion to the Premier League. He returned from injury faster than expected, as he was able to make a late substitute appearance in the 1–0 home win over Doncaster Rovers on the final day of the season to lift the Championship trophy.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2009 |title=Injured George Elokobi pinching himself at thought of Premier League |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/injured-george-elokobi-pinching-himself-91012 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015237.stm |title=Wolves 1–0 Doncaster |last=Marshall |first=Steve |date=3 May 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
====2009–10 season==== Elokobi made his Premier League bow as a half-time substitute for former Colchester United teammate Greg Halford in Wolves' 1–0 defeat to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium on 22 August 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8210640.stm |title=Man City 1–0 Wolverhampton |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=22 August 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He made 26 appearances over the course of the 2009–10 season,<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2009/2010">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2009|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> which was enough to earn him a new three-year deal in August 2010.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 August 2010 |title=Wolves: George Elokobi's thrilled at new three-year deal |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-george-elokobis-thrilled-at-new-130538 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
====2010–11 season==== Elokobi scored his first Wolves goal on 26 October 2010 during a 3–2 League Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. He scored Wolves' first goal to draw the scoreline level at 1–1 on 60 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9059505.stm |title=Man Utd 3–2 Wolverhampton |last=Stevenson |first=Jonathan |date=26 October 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> On 8 January 2011, he received only his second-ever red card when he was sent off for a reckless tackle on Doncaster Rovers' James Coppinger after 77 minutes of the 2–2 FA Cup draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341853.stm |title=Doncaster 2–2 Wolverhampton |date=8 January 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref> He played 32 games played during the season<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2010/2011">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2010|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> as Wolves narrowly avoided relegation despite defeat.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13446629 |title=Wolves 2–3 Blackburn |last=Stevenson |first=Jonathan |date=22 May 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 July 2015 }}</ref>
====2011–12 season==== After being utilised intermittently during the beginning of Wolves' 2011–12 Premier League campaign, Elokobi struck his first goal of the season on 20 September 2011 in a 5–0 League Cup win over Millwall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14893503 |title=Wolverhampton 5–0 Millwall |date=19 September 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> After struggling to hold down a regular first team place with just three starts in eight Premier League games, Elokobi was made available for loan in February 2012.<ref name="NottF">{{cite news |date=9 February 2012 |title=Wolves defender joins Nottingham Forest |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-defender-joins-nottingham-forest-178730 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
====Nottingham Forest loan==== Championship side Nottingham Forest signed Elokobi in an emergency loan deal on 9 February 2012, with Wolverhampton Wanderers hoping the move would give Elokobi a chance to play some games. The loan move would last until the end of the Championship season on 28 April.<ref name="NottF"/> He made his debut on 11 February in Forest's 1–1 home draw with Watford.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16884244 |title=Nottm Forest 1–1 Watford |date=11 February 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> He went on to make twelve appearances to help steer Forest clear from relegation to League One, while his parent club were relegated to the Championship. Impressed by his performances during his short stay, Nottingham Forest were linked with a permanent transfer for Elokobi in July 2012, but a move never materialised.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 July 2012 |title=Nottingham Forest poised for double swoop on Wolves' Guedioura and Elokobi |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-Forest-poised-double-swoop-Wolves/story-16476658-detail/story.html |newspaper=Nottingham Post |location=Nottingham |access-date=6 July 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708033642/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-Forest-poised-double-swoop-Wolves/story-16476658-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
====2012–13 season==== Elokobi returned to the Wolves squad for their 2012–13 season in the Championship as a substitute for David Edwards in their 1–1 draw with Derby County on 25 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19304536 |title=Wolves 1–1 Derby |date=25 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> However, Elokobi fell out of favour under new manager Ståle Solbakken who preferred Kevin Foley in covering the left-back role, and with Solbakken stating that his squad was three to four players too large, Elokobi was made available for loan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kendrick |first1=Mat |date=21 September 2012 |title=Wolves: George Elokobi faces uncertain future |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-george-elokobi-faces-uncertain-4380 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
====Bristol City loan==== Bristol City signed Elokobi on a 93-day emergency loan on 26 September 2012 as cover for Greg Cunningham who had been ruled out of action for two months with an ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19727386 |title=Bristol City sign George Elokobi on loan from Wolves |date=26 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> He made his debut on 29 September during City's 3–2 home defeat to Leeds United,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19684309 |title=Bristol City 2–3 Leeds |date=29 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> but he suffered what was thought to be another season-ending injury after he fractured and dislocated his ankle 43 minutes into his debut. His loan was immediately terminated with the player undergoing surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19773660 |title=George Elokobi fractures ankle on Bristol City loan debut |date=29 September 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
He returned to action for Wolves earlier than expected once again, featuring in the final game of the season defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion which confirmed a second successive relegation for the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22320569 |title=Brighton 2–0 Wolves |date=4 May 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
====2013–14 season==== Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Elokobi took up a one-year contract extension option to remain with Wolves until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Howell |first1=Bill |date=18 May 2013 |title=Quartet of Wolves players handed new deals — but the exodus begins |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolverhampton-wanderers-players-handed-news-3868342 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> Manager Kenny Jackett told Elokobi he would offer the player a "fresh start",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Howell |first1=Bill |date=11 July 2013 |title=Jackett gives duo a fresh start |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolverhampton-wanderers-kenny-jackett-giving-5065470 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> but after enduring another frustrating season where he made just nine appearances in all competitions,<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2013/2014">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2013|name=George Elokobi|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> the club decided not to offer him a new contract, and he made his final appearance in a testimonial match for Jody Craddock at the end of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Howell |first1=Bill |date=1 May 2014 |title=Kenny Jackett: George Elokobi has been a key influence both on and off the pitch |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-george-elokobi-leave-end-7060257 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
===Oldham Athletic=== Following his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Elokobi signed a one-year contract with League One side Oldham Athletic on 8 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28703733 |title=George Elokobi: Oldham Athletic sign ex-Wolves defender |date=8 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> He made his debut the following day as an 80th-minute substitute for James Dayton during Oldham's 2–2 draw with Elokobi's former club Colchester United at Colchester Community Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28646626 |title=Colchester 2–2 Oldham |date=9 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> He suffered a thigh injury during a 3–2 win over Scunthorpe United on 27 September that ruled him out of action for all of October and almost all of November 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keay |first1=Sheldan |date=1 October 2014 |title=Latics boss hopes for cure to defensive headache |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/latics-boss-hopes-cure-defensive-7862814 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |location=Oldham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
On his return, Elokobi was a regular feature in Lee Johnson's starting line-up, and he then scored his first goal for the club on 26 December with a header from a corner kick in a 2–1 home defeat by Crewe Alexandra.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keay |first1=Sheldan |date=26 December 2014 |title=Beaten again: Oldham Athletic 1 Crewe Alexandra 2 |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/beaten-again-oldham-athletic-1-8348415 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |location=Oldham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> After Johnson departed the club, Elokobi fell out of favour with his replacement Dean Holden,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Keay |first1=Sheldan |date=7 May 2015 |title=Oldham Athletic season review |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-athletic-season-review-9205827 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |location=Oldham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> making just one substitute appearance between his departure on 25 February until the end of the season. His season ended with three goals in 27 appearances.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2014/2015">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2014|name=George Elokobi|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref>
With his contract expiring, the club offered Elokobi a new contract on reduced terms, but after rejecting the offer, he decided to leave the club.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keay |first1=Sheldan |date=2 June 2015 |title=Oldham Athletic welcome Jim Harvey onto coaching staff |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-athletic-welcome-jim-harvey-9376912 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |location=Oldham |access-date=6 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041418/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/oldham-athletic-welcome-jim-harvey-9376912 |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }}</ref>
===Return to Colchester United=== Colchester United re-signed Elokobi on a two-year contract on 3 July 2015 after a seven-year absence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=3 July 2015 |title=Former favourite George Elokobi returns to Colchester United |url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/former_favourite_george_elokobi_returns_to_colchester_united_1_4138816? |newspaper=Green'Un |location=Ipswich |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> After spending much of pre-season out of contention through injury, Elokobi made his second debut for Colchester during their 4–0 away defeat to Fleetwood Town on 22 August. He replaced Richard Brindley after 57 minutes when his side were 3–0 down.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=24 August 2015 |title=Elokobi – U's must go back to basics |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/13621377.Elokobi___U_s_must_go_back_to_basics/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=24 August 2015 }}</ref> On his first start for the club on 29 August, Elokobi scored the equalising goal in Colchester's 2–2 draw with Scunthorpe United at the Colchester Community Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34024961 |title=Colchester 2–2 Scunthorpe |date=29 August 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=1 September 2015 }}</ref>
Elokobi received his first red card of his combined Colchester United career on 15 September when, while already on a yellow card, he brought down Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp in the penalty area in the 86th minute with the score at 3–2 to Colchester. The resultant penalty was saved by Colchester goalkeeper Jamie Jones, and the side went on to win the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34093855 |title=Sheff Utd 2–3 Colchester |date=15 September 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=15 September 2015 }}</ref> Elokobi scored two goals and made 19 appearances in the 2015–16 season.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2015|name=George Elokobi|access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref>
====Braintree Town loan==== Out of favour under new Colchester manager John McGreal, Elokobi was made available for loan in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Waldron |first=Jonathan |date=15 August 2016 |title=Colchester United want George Elokobi to get games elsewhere ahead of transfer deadline |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/14683624.Elokobi_made_available_for_loan_by_U_s/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=4 October 2016 }}</ref> He joined National League side Braintree Town in a month-long loan deal on 4 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37552468 |title=George Elokobi: Colchester United defender joins Braintree Town on loan |date=4 October 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 October 2016 }}</ref> He made his Braintree debut the same day in their 2–1 home defeat by Boreham Wood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37480292 |title=Braintree Town 1–2 Boreham Wood |date=4 October 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 October 2016 }}</ref> He scored twice in Braintree's 7–0 FA Cup first round win over Eastbourne Borough on 5 November.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37807034 |title=Braintree Town 7–0 Eastbourne Borough |date=5 November 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 November 2016 }}</ref>
====Return to Colchester==== Elokobi was recalled from his loan at Braintree on 22 November and went straight into Colchester's squad for their match against Cheltenham Town the same day. He made his first start of the season and helped the U's end their eleven-game winless run in League Two with a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37982986 |title=Cheltenham Town 0–3 Colchester United |date=22 November 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 November 2016 }}</ref> He scored his first goal of the season in Colchester's 1–0 win at home to Wycombe Wanderers on 21 February 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38964958 |title=Colchester United 1–0 Wycombe Wanderers |date=21 February 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=21 February 2017 }}</ref> He became ever-present until the end of the season, playing 29 League Two games.<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2016/2017">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2011|name=George Elokobi|access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> He left the club at the end of his contract after failing to agree a new deal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marston |first=Carl |date=2 July 2017 |title=George Elokobi leaves Colchester United |url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/george-elokobi-leaves-colchester-united-1-5087001 |newspaper=Green'Un |location=Ipswich |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923050955/http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/george-elokobi-leaves-colchester-united-1-5087001 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Leyton Orient=== On 14 July 2017, Elokobi signed a two-year contract with National League side Leyton Orient.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40613312 |title=Leyton Orient: George Elokobi & Macauley Bonne join from Colchester United |date=14 July 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 July 2017 }}</ref> On 31 January 2019 it was announced that he had left the club by mutual consent <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2019/january/george-elokobi-departs/|title=NEWS: George Elokobi departs|publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> having been placed on the transfer list ten days earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2019/january/elokobi-statement/|title=STATEMENT: George Elokobi|publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref>
===Aldershot Town=== On 12 February 2019, Elokobi signed for National League side Aldershot Town on a deal until the end of the season.<ref name="Shots Sign Elokobi"/>
===Maidstone United=== Elokobi left Aldershot at the end of the season and joined Maidstone United on a one–year contract.<ref>[https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/stones-sign-elokobi-206606/ Maidstone United sign former Wolves defender George Elokobi], kentonline.co.uk, 14 June 2019</ref>
Elokobi's final season with the club saw him gain a fourth career promotion as Maidstone won the 2021–22 National League South title.<ref name="21/22 NLS Champs"> {{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/report-maidstone-v-chelmsford-266439/|title=Maidstone United 3 Chelmsford City 1 match report: The Stones are National League South champions|publisher=Kent Online|last1=Tucker|first1=Craig|date=30 April 2022|accessdate=3 May 2022}}</ref> He scored in the final game of his career on 7 May in a 2–1 win against Hampton & Richmond Borough.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/report-maidstone-v-hampton-266801/|title=Report: Perfect ending for Elokobi|date=7 May 2022|website=Kent Online}}</ref>
On 3 May 2022, Elokobi announced on Twitter that he would retire from playing professional football at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=@georgeelokobi |url=https://twitter.com/georgeelokobi/status/1521512055899099137 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Twitter }}</ref>
==International career== Elokobi was first called up for the Cameroon national team in November 2010 for a training camp in France in December 2010 in preparation for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 November 2010 |title=Wolves: Cameroon call will give George Elokobi a lift |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-cameroon-call-will-give-george-135223 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |location=Birmingham |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> He was again called-up ahead of a qualifying game with Senegal in March 2011, replacing the injured Gaëtan Bong,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://georgefominyen.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/george-elokobi-replaces-bong-for-cameroon-vs-senegal/ |title=George Elokobi replaces Bong for Cameroon vs Senegal (updated) |date=18 March 2011 |publisher=Gef's Football Club |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref> but was an unused substitute in the match. He was also set to play in a friendly against Gabon in France three days later, but the game was cancelled with no official reason announced for the cancellation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/84/africa/2011/03/28/2415533/gabon-cameroon-friendly-canceled |title=Gabon – Cameroon Friendly Canceled |last=Kobo |first=Kingsley |date=28 March 2011 |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=6 July 2015 }}</ref>
==Coaching career== ===Maidstone United=== Following the departure of Hakan Hayrettin in January 2023, Elokobi was appointed caretaker manager of Maidstone United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maidstoneunited.co.uk/2023/01/09/stones-announce-departure-of-hakan-hayrettin/|title=Stones announce departure of Hakan Hayrettin|website=maidstoneunited.co.uk|date=9 January 2023|accessdate=24 February 2023}}</ref>
On 24 March 2023, Elokobi was named permanent manager at Maidstone United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maidstoneunited.co.uk/2023/03/24/elokobi-entrusted-as-stones-new-manager/|title=Elokobi entrusted as Stones new manager|website=maidstoneunited.co.uk|date=24 March 2023|accessdate=24 March 2023}}</ref> In the 2023–24 season, Maidstone reached the FA Cup fourth round for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12309/13041536/maidstone-stun-stevenage-as-fa-cups-lowest-ranked-team-continue-run-fa-cup-third-round-round-up |title=Maidstone stun Stevenage as FA Cup's lowest-ranked team continue run - FA Cup third-round round-up |website=Sky Sports |date=6 January 2024 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> On 27 January 2024, Maidstone reached the FA Cup fifth round for the first time after a shock 2–1 away win at Ipswich Town.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Non-league Maidstone stun Ipswich in FA Cup |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68110763 |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> They became "the first club outside the top five tiers of English football to reach the FA Cup fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68118239|title=Maidstone cup win 'binds us for life' - Elokobi|work=BBC Sport |date=27 January 2024 }}</ref>
On 14 April 2026, Elokobi announced that he would be departing the club at the end of the 2025–26 season.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://maidstoneunited.co.uk/04/14/george-elokobi-to-step-down-at-the-end-of-the-season/|title=George Elokobi to step down at the end of the season|website=maidstoneunited.co.uk|date=14 April 2026|accessdate=18 April 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== For Series Two of the Apple TV series ''Ted Lasso'', assistant director Sophie Worger hired former professional player Kasali Casal to manage the football choreography. Casal enlisted a team of former professional players to play for the opposition teams facing AFC Richmond during game scenes, including Elokobi and fellow former Premier League players Lee Hendrie, Jermaine Pennant and Jay Bothroyd.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-the-football-in-ted-lasso-looks-better-than-in-other-shows | title=Why the football in Ted Lasso looks better than in other shows | date=15 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ted-lasso-stoke-city-pennant-8256717 | title=Stoke City old boy Jermaine Pennant played part in hit show Ted Lasso | date=16 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/ted-lasso-nottingham-forest-elokobi-8256798 | title=Nottingham Forest old boy George Elokobi played part in hit TV show Ted Lasso | date=16 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ted-lasso-villa-birmingham-wolves-26482375 | title=Ted Lasso's link with Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Wolves | date=15 March 2023 }}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|8 May 2022}}
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Colchester United |2004–05<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2004/2005">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2004|name=George Elokobi|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2005–06<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2005/2006"/> |League One |12||1||0||0||1||0||4{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||1||17||2 |- |2006–07<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2006/2007"/> |Championship |10||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||10||0 |- |2007–08<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2007/2008"/> |Championship |17||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||19||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !39!!2!!1!!0!!2!!0!!4!!1!!46!!3 |- |Chester City (loan) |2004–05<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2004/2005"/> |League Two |5||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||5||0 |- |rowspan="8"|Wolverhampton Wanderers |2007–08<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2007/2008"/> |Championship |15||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||15||0 |- |2008–09<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2008/2009"/> |Championship |4||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||5||0 |- |2009–10<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2009/2010"/> |Premier League |22||0||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||26||0 |- |2010–11<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2010/2011"/> |Premier League |27||2||2||0||3||1||colspan="2"|–||32||3 |- |2011–12<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2011/2012">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2011|name=George Elokobi|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> |Premier League |9||0||1||0||3||1||colspan="2"|–||13||1 |- |2012–13<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2012/2013">{{Soccerbase season|39301|2012|name=George Elokobi|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> |Championship |2||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||3||0 |- |2013–14<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2013/2014"/> |League One |6||0||1||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||9||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !85!!2!!6!!0!!10!!2!!2!!0!!103!!4 |- |Nottingham Forest (loan) |2011–12<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2011/2012"/> |Championship |12||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||12||0 |- |Bristol City (loan) |2012–13<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2012/2013"/> |Championship |1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0 |- |Oldham Athletic |2014–15<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2014/2015"/> |League One |24||3||1||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||27||3 |- |rowspan="3"|Colchester United |2015–16<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2015/2016"/> |League One |17||2||1||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||19||2 |- |2016–17<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2016/2017"/> |League Two |29||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||29||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !46!!3!!1!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!48!!3 |- |Braintree Town (loan) |2016–17<ref name="Games played by George Elokobi in 2016/2017"/><ref name="SW">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/george-elokobi/15848/ |title=G. Elokobi |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=22 October 2016 }}</ref> |National League |7||0||2||2||colspan=2|–||0||0||9||2 |- |rowspan="3"|Leyton Orient |2017–18<ref name="SW"/> |National League |21||2||0||0||colspan=2|–||2{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}||1||23||3 |- |2018–19<ref name="SW"/> |National League |3||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||1||5||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !24!!2!!0!!0!!colspan=2|–!!4!!2!!28!!4 |- |Aldershot Town |2018–19<ref name="SW"/> |National League |13||0||0||0||colspan=2|–||0||0||13||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Maidstone United |2019–20<ref name="SW"/> |National League South |29||1||5||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||37||1 |- |2020–21<ref name="SW"/> |National League South |13||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||17||0 |- |2021–22<ref name="SW"/> |National League South |13||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||15||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !55!!2!!7!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!7!!0!!69!!2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !311!!14!!18!!2!!13!!2!!19!!3!!361!!21 |}
{{notelist}}
==Managerial statistics== {{Updated|11 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Managerial record by team and tenure |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Nat !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="5"|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |- !{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}} |- |align=left|Maidstone United |{{flagicon|England}} |align=left|9 January 2023 |align=left|25 April 2026 {{WDL|161|68|42|51}} |<ref>{{cite web |title=Maidstone United FC: Matches |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/maidstone-united-fc/6895/|work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref> |- !colspan="4"|Total {{WDLtot|161|68|42|51}} !— |}
==Honours== ===As a manager=== '''Maidstone United''' *Kent Senior Cup: 2023–24, 2025-26
'''Individual''' *National League South Manager of the Month: December 2024<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/top-bosses-honoured-as-elokobi-watson-and-magnay-m-83132|title=Top Bosses Honoured As Elokobi, Watson And Magnay Make Mark|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=15 January 2025|accessdate=16 January 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.cu-fc.com/team/player-profile/george-elokobi/15 George Elokobi profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050546/http://www.cu-fc.com/team/player-profile/george-elokobi/15 |date=18 January 2017 }} at the official Colchester United F.C. website *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Maidstone United F.C. managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elokobi, George}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Cameroonian men's footballers Category:21st-century Cameroonian sportsmen Category:Cameroonian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Dulwich Hamlet F.C. players Category:Colchester United F.C. players Category:Chester City F.C. players Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players Category:Bristol City F.C. players Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Category:Braintree Town F.C. players Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players Category:Maidstone United F.C. players Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Isthmian League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Maidstone United F.C. managers Category:National League (English football) managers Category:Cameroonian football managers Category:Footballers from Southwest Region (Cameroon)