Ibou Touray Explained

Ibou Touray
Fullname:Ibou Omar Touray[1]
Birth Date:24 December 1994
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Height:1.77m[2]
Position:Left back
Currentclub:Stockport County
Clubnumber:3
Youthyears1:2011–2014
Youthclubs1:Everton
Years1:2014–2015
Clubs1:Chester
Caps1:19
Goals1:0
Years2:2015–2016
Clubs2:Rhyl
Caps2:29
Goals2:2
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:Nantwich Town
Caps3:38
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2023
Clubs4:Salford City
Caps4:237
Goals4:8
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Stockport County
Caps5:34
Goals5:1
Nationalyears1:2015–
Nationalteam1:Gambia
Nationalcaps1:21
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:16:47, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:18:16, 18 March 2024 (UTC)

Ibou Omar Touray (born 24 December 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a left back for club Stockport County.[3]

Touray began his career with local team Everton, but left in 2014 having made no appearances for the first team. He spent successive seasons in the lower leagues with Chester, Rhyl, and Nantwich Town, before signing for National League North team Salford City in 2017. He helped them achieve back to back promotions in his first two seasons, first to the National League and then to League Two, the first time Salford had reached the English Football League in their history. He is the longest serving player in the clubs' history, and helped the club win the 2020 EFL Trophy Final. During his final season, he served as the team captain.

Born in England, Touray represents Gambia internationally, qualifying through his father.[4] He made his international debut for Gambia in 2015, and represented his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their first ever major international tournament, helping Gambia to reach the quarter-finals.

Club career

Everton

Born in Toxteth,[5] Liverpool, Touray started his career at Everton, having joined the club in 2011.[6] He was close of joining Liverpool before joining Everton instead.[7] After progressing through the Everton's youth system, he signed his first professional contract at the club in July 2013.[6] [4] Although he was given a number 40 shirt in the 2013–14 season, he was released by the club in May 2014.[8]

Chester

After leaving Everton in the summer, Touray went on a trial at Tranmere Rovers.[9] After the trial was unsuccessful, he joined Chester on 13 September 2014,[10] having caught the eye of manager Steve Burr during a pre-season game between Tranmere and Chester.[7]

After appearing as an unused substitute against Woking, Touray made his Chester debut three days later joining the club, coming on as a first half substitute, in a 2–0 win over Southport.[11] [12] Since making his Chester debut, Touray quickly established himself in the starting eleven at the club, playing in the left-midfield position.[7] His performance attracted attention from League One side Oldham Athletic, which he appeared on the substitute bench on two occasions.[13] After returning, he appeared in every match until he was sent-off for a "wild challenge" on Nicky Clee, in a 4–1 loss to Altrincham on 31 December 2014.[14] Although he served a three match suspension,[15] Touray, however, lost his first team place for the rest of the season and was released by the club.[16]

Rhyl

After leaving Chester, Touray moved to Wales when he joined Rhyl.[17]

Touray made his Rhyl debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Bangor City on 21 August 2015, starting the whole game.[18] Since making his Rhyl debut, he established himself in the starting eleven for the side despite missing out one game through suspension.[19] It wasn't until on 9 April 2016 when Touray scored his first goals, in a 5–0 win over Port Talbot Town.[20] Rhyl had not won in 16 matches and faced accusations of match fixing due to suspicious betting patterns.[21] At the end of the season, Touray went on to make a total of 29 appearances and scoring two times in total.

After one season at Rhyl, Touray was released by Rhyl in May 2016.[22]

Nantwich Town

After being released by Rhyl,[23] he signed for Nantwich Town.[24] His move came after at a recommendation from the club's manager Dave Cooke.[25]

Touray made his Nantwich Town debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Ashton United.[26] Throughout the season, Touray established himself in the starting eleven at Nantwich Town as a left-back.[27] He'a also played a role when the club won 5–3 in the penalty shootout to the final of Cheshire Senior Cup against Warrington Town.[28] However, the club went on to lose the final after losing to Crewe Alexandra 3–2.[29]

After making 41 appearances in all competitions, Touray was awarded the club's Young Player of the Year.[30] [31]

Salford City

In May 2017, he signed for Salford City.[32] Touray made his Salford City debut in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Darlington.[33] At the conclusion of the 2018–19 season as Salford earned back-to-back promotions into the Football League, Touray scored Salford's third goal in the 2019 National League play-off final, a 3–0 victory against AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 2019.[34] In 2021, he played in the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final against Portsmouth, helping keep a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw before Salford won the resulting penalty shoot-out.[35]

Following an impressive 2020–21 season, Touray was named in the 2020–21 EFL League Two Team of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony.[36] In June 2021, Touray signed a new two-year contract; Touray and manager Gary Bowyer both cited a connection with Salford's supporters as being key to the new deal.[37] He made his 200th appearance for The Ammies against Bristol Rovers in November 2021, cementing his record as the club's modern-day record appearance holder.[38]

In January 2023, he made his 250th Salford appearance in a 2–0 league win against Sutton United.[39] Along with teammate Elliot Watt, Touray was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season for the 2022–23 season.[40]

Stockport County

In June 2023, it was announced that he would sign for Stockport County on 1 July 2023.[3] [41] Touray scored his first goal for The Hatters against former club Salford at Moor Lane on 14 March 2024, scoring his teams' first to help overcome a two-goal defiicit.[42]

International career

He made his international debut for Gambia in 2015. Touray is eligible for Gambia through his father, who moved to England aged 16,[43] [44] and is one of several of the Gambian diaspora called up who helped the country's results improve.[45] In a 2021 interview, Touray said that his proudest moment in international football was when Gambia drew 1–1 with Algeria, who at the time were unbeaten in over two years.[44]

Touray played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, his national team's first continental tournament, where they made the quarter-final.[46] [47] He described representing the country at the tournament, as well as visiting the residency of Adama Barrow, the President of the Gambia, as "surreal".[43] He missed the knockout stage match against Guinea through illness.[48]

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Touray became the first Stockport County player to feature at a major international tournament.[49]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chester2014–15[50] Conference Premier1901031231
Rhyl2015–16Welsh Premier League2920000292
Nantwich Town2016–17[51] NPL Premier Division380501090530
Salford City2017–18National League North3900000390
2018–19National League4533040523
2019–20League Two354211040425
2020–21League Two461102020511
2021–22League Two270201021321
2022–23League Two450201080560
Total23781015020127210
Stockport County2023–24League Two321201030381
Career total355111817035241514

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Gambia201510
201620
201930
202120
202290
202340
202410
Total210

Honours

Salford City

2017–18[53]

2019–20[54]

Stockport County

2023–24[55]

Individual

2020–21, 2022–23[57]

2022–23 League Two,[58] 2023–24 League Two[59]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Salford City . English Football League . 62 . 26 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Ibou Touray. Premier League. 19 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Touray becomes first signing of the Summer. 17 June 2023. Stockport County.
  4. News: Gambia: Citizen Spotted At EPL Side Everton FC. All Africa. 5 August 2012. 6 December 2017.
  5. Web site: Keane on key quality Everton require in Salford cup tie . Everton FC . 3 November 2021 . 15 September 2020 . Toxteth-born former Everton Academy player Ibou Touray.
  6. News: Touray Signs Pro Deal . Everton F.C. . 31 July 2013 . 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202047/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/31/touray-signs-pro-deal . 6 December 2017 . live.
  7. Web site: Green . Jim . Ibou Touray loving life with the Blues . 1 October 2014 . 11 July 2016 . Chester Chronicle.
  8. Web site: Squad Numbers Announced . Everton F.C. . 15 July 2013 . 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202033/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/15/squad-numbers-announced . 6 December 2017 . live.
    News: Premier League clubs submit retained and released lists . . 23 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150504185633/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/may/premier-league-clubs-submit-retained-and-released-lists.html . 4 May 2015.
  9. News: Rowe stars for Rovers as they hold championship side Bolton at Prenton Park. Liverpool Echo. 25 July 2014. 6 December 2017.
  10. Web site: Ibou Touray: Ex-Everton defender signs Chester contract. 13 September 2014. 11 July 2016. BBC Sport.
  11. News: Match report: Woking 1 Chester FC 0 . Chester Chronicle. 13 September 2014 . 6 December 2017.
  12. News: Chester FC 2–0 Southport FC match report. Liverpool Echo. 16 September 2014. 6 December 2017.
  13. News: Blues unlucky not to share spoils, says Burr. Chester Chronicle. 2 November 2014. 6 December 2017.
  14. News: Altrincham 4 Chester FC 1: Match report . Chester Chronicle. 31 December 2014. 6 December 2017.
  15. News: Chester FC v Kidderminster Harriers: Match preview . Chester Chronicle. 23 January 2015 . 6 December 2017.
  16. News: Chester FC end-of-term survey 2014–15: Results. Chester Chronicle. 14 May 2015. 6 December 2017.
  17. News: Gambia's Ibou Touray signs for Welsh side Rhyl FC . Nagambia News . 24 August 2015. 6 December 2017.
  18. News: Rhyl FC 1 Bangor City 1: Rival bosses both take positives from stalemate . Daily Post . 23 August 2015 . 6 December 2017.
  19. News: Rhyl manager Gareth Owen expects a determined Aberystwyth at Belle Vue . Daily Post . 5 November 2015 . 6 December 2017.
  20. News: Welsh Premier League round-up . Daily Post . 9 April 2016 . 6 December 2017.
  21. Web site: FAW investigates 'suspicious betting' on Welsh Premier League match . 13 April 2016 . 13 November 2020 . BBC Sport.
  22. News: New Welsh Premier League season: Dave Jones' team by team guide. Daily Post. 11 August 2016. 6 December 2017.
  23. rhylfc. 15 May 2016. IBOU TOURAY has been released #thankyou&goodluck . 731830122534338564.
  24. Web site: Nantwich Town sign Ibou Touray . 19 May 2016. 6 November 2016. Nantwich Town F.C.. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206215205/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/nantwich-town-sign-ibou-touray/. 6 December 2017. live.
  25. News: ANNOUNCEMENT: New Management Team unveiled . Nantwich Town F.C.. 10 May 2017. 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221430/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/new-management-team/ . 6 December 2017. live.
  26. News: Match Report: Ashton United 1–1 Nantwich Town . Nantwich Town F.C. . 17 August 2016 . 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206220506/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-ashton-united-nantwich-town/ . 6 December 2017 . live.
  27. News: Match Report: Kidsgrove Athletic 0–4 Nantwich Town . Nantwich Town F.C.. 6 August 2016 . 6 December 2017 . 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221020/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-kidsgrove-nantwich-town/ . live.
  28. News: Match Report: Nantwich Town 0–0 Warrington Town(5–3 on Pens) . Nantwich Town F.C. . 14 March 2017 . 6 December 2017 . 6 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221212/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-nantwich-0-0-warrington/ . live.
  29. Web site: Match Report: Crewe Alexandra 3–2 Nantwich Town. Nantwich Town F.C.. 5 April 2016. 6 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206222027/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-crewe-3-2-nantwich/. 6 December 2017. live.
  30. News: Gambia: Ibou Touray Awarded By Nantwich . All Africa. 9 May 2017. 6 December 2017.
  31. News: Touray gets club's young player of the year award . . 9 May 2017 . 11 November 2020.
  32. News: Touray Agrees Salford City Deal . Salford City F.C. . 17 May 2017 . 6 December 2017.
  33. News: Opening day defeat for Salford City . Salford City F.C. . 5 August 2015 . 6 December 2017.
  34. News: AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City . BBC Sport . 11 May 2019 . 23 February 2024 . Josef . Rindl.
  35. Web site: Thorpe . Chris . Portsmouth 0-0 Salford City (AET) (2-4 Pens): FLW reports as Lowe seals cup success for the Ammies . Football League World . 13 March 2021 . 25 February 2024.
  36. Web site: Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced . . 24 April 2022 . 25 April 2022 .
  37. Web site: Atherton . Charlotte . "The fans have been great to me" – Ibou Touray commits his future to Salford City . 8 May 2021 . 28 June 2021 . SalfordNow.
  38. Web site: Cunningham . Matthew . Gary Bowyer believes Ibou Touray could play as high as the Championship . 17 December 2021 . 25 February 2024 . SalfordNow.
  39. Web site: "I'm very proud of it" - Ibou Touray's 250th appearance . . 15 January 2023 . 17 January 2023.
  40. Web site: Warner . Harry . Two Salford City players named in the League Two Team of the Season . 24 April 2023 . 10 May 2023 . Salford Now.
  41. Web site: Stockport to sign Salford skipper Touray . BBC Sport.
  42. Web site: Salford City 2-2 Stockport County: Hatters fight back to take a point at Ammies . 14 March 2024 . 15 March 2024 . BBC Sport.
  43. Web site: Frostick . Nancy . Ebou Adams and Ibou Touray: The League Two players powering The Gambia's surprise challenge at AFCON . 20 January 2022 . 15 January 2023 . The Athletic.
  44. Web site: Quick . Harry . Interview: Ibou Touray on International Duty . . 21 October 2021 . 22 October 2021.
  45. Web site: Al-Smith . Gary . Saintfiet's 'hop hop' Gambia Don't Want the Ball, They Just Want to Win . The Analyst . 28 January 2022 . 16 January 2023.
  46. https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243295/lineups CAF Online News
  47. News: The Gambia name squad for first Nations Cup finals . BBC Sport . 21 December 2021 . 15 January 2023.
  48. News: Quao . Nathan . AFCON 2021: Gambia beat Guinea to make historic quarter final appearance . CitiSports . 24 January 2022 . 15 January 2023.
  49. News: Ibou Touray set to make Stockport County History . AboutManchester . 11 September 2023 . 23 February 2024.
  50. Web site: First Team Statistics 2014/15. www.chester-city.co.uk.
  51. Web site: Results - The Pitching In Northern Premier League. www.thenpl.co.uk.
  52. News: AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City . Josef . Rindl . BBC Sport . 11 May 2019 . 11 May 2019.
  53. Web site: 21 April 2018. Salford City: Club co-owned by former Man Utd players promoted to National League. 6 September 2020. BBC Sport.
  54. News: Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City . Adam . Williams . BBC Sport . 13 March 2021 . 14 March 2021.
  55. Web site: Join us in League One next season. 7 May 2024. Stockport County.
  56. News: End of Season Awards 2019–20 . Salford City FC . 24 July 2020 . 24 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230712023651/https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/end-of-season-awards-1920/ . 12 July 2023 . dead.
  57. Web site: 23 April 2023 . EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed . 24 April 2023 . English Football League.
  58. News: Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award . BBC Sport . 29 August 2023 . 29 August 2023.
  59. News: PFA League Two Team of the Year . PFA . 20 August 2024 . 21 August 2024.