Jean-Michel Sigere Explained

Jean-Michel Sigere
Fullname:Jean-Michel Paul Sigere
Birth Date:26 January 1977
Birth Place:Le François, Martinique
Height:6feet
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Club Franciscain
Years1:199?–1995
Clubs1:Club Franciscain
Years2:1995–1997
Clubs2:Quimper
Years3:1997–1999
Clubs3:Bordeaux
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:1997–1999
Clubs4:Bordeaux B
Caps4:34
Goals4:11
Years5:1999–2000
Caps5:16
Goals5:1
Years6:2000
Caps6:34
Goals6:11
Years7:2001–2002
Clubs7:Stevenage Borough
Caps7:37
Goals7:13
Years8:2002–2004
Clubs8:Margate
Caps8:49
Goals8:9
Years9:2004–2005
Clubs9:Hornchurch
Caps9:19
Goals9:5
Years10:2005
Caps10:6
Goals10:4
Years11:2005
Caps11:11
Goals11:1
Years12:2005–2008
Clubs12:Lewes
Caps12:74
Goals12:37
Years13:2007–2008
Clubs13:→ Horsham (loan)
Caps13:4
Goals13:3
Years14:2008–2009
Caps14:5
Goals14:0
Years15:2008–2009
Clubs15:→ Horsham (loan)
Caps15:10
Goals15:4
Years16:2009
Clubs16:Farnborough
Caps16:7
Goals16:1
Years17:2009
Caps17:13
Goals17:1
Years18:2009–2010
Clubs18:Lewes
Caps18:20
Goals18:4
Years19:2010
Clubs19:Margate
Caps19:1
Goals19:0
Years20:2010
Clubs20:St Albans City
Caps20:9
Goals20:2
Years21:2010–2011
Clubs21:→ Walton & Hersham (dual reg.)
Caps21:18
Goals21:4
Years22:2011–2012
Clubs22:Grays Athletic
Caps22:18
Goals22:0
Years23:2012
Clubs23:Chatham Town
Caps23:8
Goals23:3
Years24:2012–2013
Caps24:6
Goals24:0
Nationalyears1:1997
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0

Jean-Michel Paul Sigere (born 26 January 1977) is a French former footballer who played as a striker. He began his football career with Club Franciscain in his native Martinique, and continued in mainland France with Quimper, Bordeaux B and Lusitanos Saint-Maur. He moved into English football in 2000, first with Rushden & Diamonds for whom he played seven Football League matches in the 2001–02 season, and then with a succession of non-league clubs mainly in the south-east of the country. In international football, he represented France at under-20 level.

Early life and career in France

Jean-Michel Paul Sigere was born on 26 January 1977[1] in Le François, Martinique,[2] where he began his football career. He joined Club Franciscain as a youngster, initially as a goalkeeper to be like his father, and later played on the right wing. He left Martinique for metropolitan France at 18, and after trials with Niort and Guingamp proved unsuccessful, signed for Quimper of the third-tier Championnat National 1.[3] He spent two years with Quimper, at the end of which the team were relegated and then administratively demoted two further divisions for financial reasons.

He had attracted attention from elsewhere: after top-scoring in a tournament that led to his selection for the France under-20 squad for the 1997 Jeux de la Francophonie, Sigere was signed by Division 1 club Bordeaux on a two-year stagiaire (trainee) contract. He made one substitute appearance at the games, against Cameroon, without scoring, and his country failed to qualify for the knockout stages.[4] He played for Bordeaux's reserve team in the Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), the fourth tier of French football, from 1997 to 1999, scoring 11 goals from 34 appearances,[5] but was not offered a professional contract. He joined US Lusitanos Saint-Maur, under the management of Noël Tosi, who had "given him the opportunity to express himself" at Quimper. He made 16 starts, scoring once, as the team finished second in Group D of the CFA,[6] [7] by which time he had left the club to try his luck in England.

Career in English football

Early years: 2000–2005

After trials with Football League clubs including Crewe Alexandra, Halifax Town and Leyton Orient came to nothing, Sigere joined Rushden & Diamonds of the Football Conference on non-contract terms until the end of the 1999–2000 season.[8] For the second time that season he contributed to his club reaching runners-up spot in their league.[9] The following season, he played his part in Rushden winning the Conference championship, and thereby promotion to the Football League.[10] He played seven games for Rushden in Division Three, and scored the goal which gave them their first home win in the Football League,[11] but shortly afterwards manager Brian Talbot sold Sigere and Simon Wormull to Conference club Stevenage Borough for "a five-figure sum".[12]

That season Stevenage reached the final of the FA Trophy. Sigere was actively involved in the match from its outset, putting in a first-minute cross for Kirk Jackson's header that drew a "superb save" from Yeovil Town's goalkeeper, but his team lost 2–0.[13] Despite not joining the club until October, he finished the season with more shots on target than any other Stevenage player.[14] Early in the 2002–03 season, Stevenage rejected a five-figure bid for him from Conference rivals Margate.[15] No longer guaranteed a place in the starting eleven, the player submitted a transfer request.[16] He marked his last game for Stevenage with a consolation goal in a 3–1 home defeat against Margate,[17] and four days later signed for the Kent club for a fee of £7,500.[18]

Margate manager Chris Kinnear described Sigere as "a strong and skilful striker capable of scoring a lot of goals",[18] but his 18 months at the club produced only nine league goals from 49 appearances. In July 2004 he moved down a division, joining Hornchurch of the Conference Southreferred to as "the non-league Chelsea", because they had a well-paid full-time professional squad despite playing in the sixth tier of English football[19] initially for three months, but with a view to a two-year deal.[20] In November 2004 the club's owner's business collapsed, and the players' pay cheques were stopped; most players left for other clubs,[21] though Sigere remained until January 2005, when the club was restructured and all remaining contracted players were released.[22]

Sigere played six games for Heybridge Swifts of the Isthmian League Premier Division,[23] scoring twice on his debut,[24] before becoming Liam Daish's first signing for Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet.[25] Again, and despite not being fully fit, he scored on debut.[26] At the end of the season, Sigere failed to agree terms on a new full-time contract and left the club.[27]

Lewes and Eastbourne: 2005–2009

Sigere went on to sign for Lewes of the Conference South.[28] In his first season, he finished as the club's leading scorer, with 23 league goals from 41 starts,[29] helping the club win the Sussex Senior Cup and reach fourth place in the league, though the ground's inadequacies meant they could not take their place in the play-offs.[30] His 2006–07 season was disrupted by illness and knee problems,[31] [32] and surgery on an ACL injury was to keep him out of the game for several months.[33] [34] Loaned to Isthmian League Premier Division club Horsham in December 2007 for a month to regain match fitness, his first game for the club saw him score from long distance.[35] On his return to Lewes his appearances were sporadic, though a winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time against Thurrock in March 2008 put his club four points clear at the top of the table.[36] In April, his late goal against Dorchester Town confirmed Lewes as Conference South champions.[34]

Following the dismissal of manager Steve King, many Lewes players left the club.[37] Though the club wanted them to stay, Sigere and team-mate Simon Wormull joined local rivals Eastbourne Borough.[38] The pair made their debuts in the opening-day defeat to former club Rushden & Diamonds,[39] making Eastbourne the fifth club (following Rushden,[11] Stevenage,[12] Hornchurch[40] and Lewes[41]) for which the two played alongside each other. Injuries restricted Sigere's Eastbourne career: by the beginning of October he had played only five matches and been placed on the transfer list.[42] He rejoined Horsham on loan for three months, to regain form and fitness with a view to a permanent deal.[43] Yet again he scored on debut, this time converting a penalty to put Horsham through to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.[44] He scored and provided an assist in the next round against former club Stevenage Borough but, with a place in the first round proper in sight, Horsham conceded a late equaliser and went on to lose heavily in the replay.[45] [46] Both player and manager hoped to extend Sigere's stay at the club,[47] [48] but it was not financially viable, and he returned to Eastbourne having scored nine goals in all competitions for Horsham.[49] Told he had no future at the club,[50] he was released in January 2009.[51]

Later career: 2009–2013

Sigere signed a contract with Southern League Premier Division team Farnborough until the end of the 2008–09 season,[52] and made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 home draw with Brackley Town.[53] A reunion with new Farnborough manager Steve King saw him initially retained for the 2009–10 season,[54] but on 16 June the club announced that Sigere would be leaving the club after all.[55] Following his departure from Cherrywood Road, Sigere signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Tonbridge Angels in July 2009.[56] After scoring four goals from 25 appearances in all competitions, mostly as a substitute,[57] Sigere left Tonbridge to return to Lewes.[58] He contributed to Lewes retaining their Conference South status, but was released at the end of the season when budgetary constraints forced manager Steve Ibbitson to choose between Sigere and the younger Rob Gradwell.[59] Sigere returned to former club Margate for the 2010–11 Isthmian League Premier Division season,[60] but after only one game budgetary considerations again came into play and he was released.[61] A few days later he returned to the Conference South with St Albans City,[62] where he stayed for a couple of months before moving on to Walton & Hersham of the Isthmian League Division One South.[63] [64]

In June 2011, Sigere signed for Isthmian League Division One North club Grays Athletic.[65] He went on to play 22 matches for Grays in all first-team competitions.[66] [67] He moved on to fellow Division One North club Chatham Town at the end of the season,[68] [69] and in November, moved into the southern division with Crawley Down Gatwick on a free transfer.[70] [71]

Honours

US Lusitanos Saint-Maur

Rushden & Diamonds

Stevenage Borough

Lewes

Notes and References

  1. Book: The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2002/2003 . Barry J. . Hugman . Queen Anne Press . Harpenden . 2002 . 376 . 978-1-85291-648-0 . Archive.org.
  2. Web site: Jean-Michel Sigere . Margate Football Club History . 26 September 2023.
  3. Jean-Michel Sigere: "Le style que j'avais en France ne passait pas du tout en Angleterre" . fr . Jean-Michel Sigere: "The style I had in France was no use in England" . Jean-Michel . Sigere . Adrien Picard . Hat-trick.fr . 15 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226041934/http://www.hat-trick.fr/jean-michel-sigere-le-style-que-javais-en-france-ne-passait-pas-du-tout-en-angleterre/ . 26 December 2015.
  4. Web site: France – U-20 – International Results – Details . Erik . Garin . RSSSF . 15 February 2004 . 26 September 2023.
  5. Web site: Girondins Bordeaux Reserve Pro 1997/98 . Stat2Foot . 24 January 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160112045836/http://stat2foot.com/bclubs/rbordeaux9798.htm . 12 January 2016.
    Web site: Girondins Bordeaux Reserve Pro 1998/99 . Stat2Foot . 24 January 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160112045841/http://stat2foot.com/bclubs/rbordeaux9899.htm . 12 January 2016.
  6. Web site: Lusitanos Saint-Maur 1999/2000 . Stat2Foot . 24 January 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220124833/http://www.stat2foot.com/sclubs/st-maur9900.htm . 20 February 2012.
  7. Web site: France 1999/2000 . Faugeras . Jérôme . Pauron . Frédéric . Stokkermans . Karel . Jortveit . Vidar . RSSSF . 20 December 2000 . 15 August 2008.
  8. Web site: Jean-Michel Sigere . RDFC1992: Rushden & Diamonds FC Archive . 11 May 2017 . 25 September 2023.
  9. Web site: Season 1999–2000 . RDFC1992: Rushden & Diamonds FC Archive . 26 September 2023.
  10. Web site: Where are they now? . Mark . Taylor . Rushden & Diamonds F.C. . 14 September 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110809193912/http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~880686,00.html . 9 August 2011.
  11. News: Rushden 1–0 Cheltenham . BBC Sport . 22 September 2001 . 15 August 2008.
  12. News: Boro's double Diamonds raid . BBC Sport . 15 October 2001 . 15 August 2008.
  13. News: Yeovil lift FA Trophy . BBC Sport . 12 May 2002 . 15 August 2008.
  14. Press Release . Nationwide Conference . 15 August 2002 . 15 August 2008 . Barnet F.C. Supporters' Association . https://archive.today/20080807130852/http://www.bfcsa.co.uk/0203/articles/release020815.htm . 7 August 2008.
  15. News: Sigere bid is rejected . BBC Sport . 17 September 2002 . 15 August 2008.
  16. News: Sigere seeks transfer . BBC Sport . 20 November 2002 . 15 August 2008.
  17. News: Stevenage 1–3 Margate . BBC Sport . 14 December 2002 . 15 August 2008.
  18. News: Sigere joins Margate . BBC Sport . 18 December 2002 . 15 August 2008.
  19. News: Urchins leave fans in lurch . Ian . Ridley . The Observer . London . 7 November 2004 . 15 August 2008.
  20. News: Hornchurch sign Sigere . BBC Sport . 16 July 2004 . 15 August 2008.
  21. News: Hill fights back after cash shock . Ken . Dyer . Evening Standard . London . 12 November 2004 . 20 April 2017.
  22. Web site: AFC Hornchurch – Club history . AFC Hornchurch . https://archive.today/20080705030751/http://www.hornchurchfc.net/history.htm . 5 July 2008.
  23. Book: The Statistical Review of the Ryman Football League 2004/2005 Centenary Season . Mike . Wilson . 13 . 2005.
  24. News: Statham off to swift start with win for Heybridge . Simon . Wigmore . The Daily Telegraph . London . 1 February 2005 . 15 August 2008.
  25. Web site: Siggy signs on . Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. . 4 March 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050713075301/http://www.gnfc.co.uk/news.html . 13 July 2005.
  26. Web site: Scoring debut for unfit Sigere . Kentish Football . Stephen . McCartney . 7 March 2005 . 24 September 2023.
  27. Web site: Jacko re-signs . Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. . 18 May 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050713075301/http://www.gnfc.co.uk/news.html . 13 July 2005.
  28. News: Former Reds pair sign for Lewes . The Argus . Brighton . 3 June 2005 . 29 March 2017.
  29. Web site: 05/06 – Lewes . Conference South Guide . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120013029/http://www.confsouth.co.uk/07/lewes05.htm . 20 November 2008.
  30. News: Match report: Lewes 3 Horsham 1 . The Argus . Brighton . 2 May 2006 . 29 March 2017.
  31. News: King hoping for long haul in FA Cup . Sussex Express . Lewes . 28 September 2006 . 15 August 2008 . https://archive.today/20120913100840/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/king-hoping-for-long-haul-in-fa-cup-1-955767 . 13 September 2012.
  32. Web site: 2006/07 season news . Lewes F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20080605164756/http://www.lewesfc.com/news2006-7.html . 5 June 2008.
  33. Jean-Michel Sigere: "Si je devais le refaire, je le referais" (2/2) . fr . Sigere . Jean-Michel . Adrien Picard . Hat-trick.fr . 17 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226123342/http://www.hat-trick.fr/jean-michel-sigere-si-je-devais-le-refaire-je-le-referais/ . 26 December 2015.
  34. News: Siggy lost his shirt but gained even more fans . Brian . Pollard . Sussex Express . Lewes . 25 April 2008 . 15 August 2008 . https://archive.today/20130505050731/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/siggy-lost-his-shirt-but-gained-even-more-fans-1-962691 . 5 May 2013.
  35. News: Hornets down the Angels . The Argus . Brighton . 26 December 2007 . 15 August 2008.
  36. News: Sigere grabs precious late winner for Lewes . Howard . Griggs . The Argus . Brighton . 2 March 2008 . 9 July 2013.
  37. News: Wantaway Rooks could join Borough . Steve . Hollis . The Argus . Brighton . 26 May 2008 . 28 September 2023.
  38. News: Sigere, Wormull join Sports . Sussex Express . Lewes . 3 June 2008 . 15 August 2008 . https://archive.today/20130505074905/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/sigere-wormull-join-sports-1-962930 . 5 May 2013.
  39. News: Eastbourne 0–1 Rushden . BBC Sport . 9 August 2008 . 11 September 2008.
  40. Web site: Match Report Hornchurch 6 Basingstoke Town 0 . A.F.C. Hornchurch . 6 September 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106064502/http://www.afchornchurch.com/2004/reports/13.shtml . 6 January 2009.
  41. Web site: Lewes 1–4 Darlington . ESPN FC . 11 November 2006 . 9 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121105015934/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=210672 . 5 November 2012.
  42. News: Sigere reveals frustration at injuries . Steve . Hollis . The Argus . Brighton . 2 October 2008 . 9 July 2013.
  43. News: Hornets snap up Sigere on loan . Bruce . Talbot . The Argus . Brighton . 9 October 2008 . 9 July 2013.
  44. Web site: Horsham 2 Paulton Rovers 1 . Horsham F.C. . Horsham FC archives . 11 October 2008 . 11 October 2010 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724175025/http://www.hornetsreview.co.uk/Archive/2008-9/Paulton.htm . 24 July 2011.
  45. Web site: Stevenage Borough 2 Horsham 2 . Horsham F.C. . Horsham FC archives . 25 October 2008 . 20 October 2010 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724175040/http://www.hornetsreview.co.uk/Archive/2008-9/Stevenage%28a%29.htm . 24 July 2011.
  46. News: Full Time: Horsham 1–4 Stevenage Borough . West Sussex County Times . 29 October 2008 . 9 July 2013 . https://archive.today/20130505113003/http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/full-time-horsham-1-4-stevenage-borough-1-827110 . 5 May 2013.
  47. Web site: Siggy's happy to remain a Hornet . Horsham F.C. . 16 December 2008 . 24 January 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106184150/http://hornetsreview.co.uk/ . 6 January 2009.
  48. News: Horsham hope for new Sigere deal 'by Saturday' . West Sussex County Times . 29 December 2008 . 9 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714222348/http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/horsham-hope-for-new-sigere-deal-by-saturday-1-827685 . 14 July 2014.
  49. News: Hornets close in on new striker as Sigere departs . Bruce . Talbot . The Argus . Brighton . 9 January 2009 . 9 July 2013.
  50. News: Atkin is ready to grab his chance . Steve . Hollis . The Argus . Brighton . 13 January 2009 . 29 March 2017.
  51. News: Borough match is definitely ON . Derren . Howard . Eastbourne Herald . 23 January 2009 . 9 July 2013.
  52. Web site: Siggy signs . Farnborough F.C . 23 January 2009 . 17 June 2009.
  53. News: Ray of light as Boro steal a point . Chris . Harris . Get Hampshire . 26 January 2009 . 29 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170330054157/http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/football/news/ray-light-boro-steal-point-5351515 . 30 March 2017.
  54. News: Ruthless King wields the axe . Get Hampshire . 28 May 2009 . 1 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160122021639/http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/football/news/ruthless-king-wields-the-axe-5352060 . 22 January 2016.
  55. Web site: Sigere leaves Cherrywood Road . Farnborough F.C . 16 June 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110710224606/http://www.farnboroughfc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=182%3Asigere-leaves-cherrywood-road&catid=1%3Alatest&Itemid=196 . 10 July 2011.
  56. Web site: Angels bring in Sigere . Non-League Daily . 17 July 2009 . 18 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120918233237/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=59305 . 18 September 2012.
  57. Web site: 2009–10 Player Statistics (to 8 December) . Tonbridge Angels F.C . 18 December 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091105052052/http://www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk/09stats.html . 5 November 2009.
  58. Web site: Siggy returns to the Pan . Lewes F.C. . 17 December 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724171732/http://www.lewesfc.com/news/2009/12/17/siggy-returns-to-the-pan . 24 July 2011.
  59. News: Lewes release Sigere . Howard . Griggs . The Argus . Brighton . 21 June 2010 . 29 March 2017.
  60. News: No Moore to report . Isle of Thanet Gazette . 15 July 2010 . 26 September 2023 . ProQuest . subscription.
  61. Web site: Sigere released . Margate F.C. . 27 August 2010 . 9 July 2013 . https://archive.today/20130710024102/http://www.margate-fc.com/content/Club/News/club_news_archives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1282912233&archive=1306766849&start_from=&ucat=4& . 10 July 2013.
  62. Web site: 'Siggy' signs . St Albans City F.C. . 3 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101215013503/http://www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/latest-club-news/1299-siggy-signs.html . 15 December 2010.
  63. Web site: Sigere departs . St Albans City F.C. . 29 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101215210435/http://www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/latest-club-news/1384-sigere-departs.html . 15 December 2010.
  64. Book: The Statistical Review of the Ryman Football League 2010/11 season . Mike . Wilson . 65 . 2011.
  65. Web site: Foreign flair added to squad . Grays Athletic F.C. . 16 June 2011 . 9 July 2013 . https://archive.today/20130710024158/http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/s/team-news-40929.htm . 10 July 2013.
  66. Web site: Jean-Michel Sigere 2011/12 . Grays Athletic F.C. . 29 March 2017.
  67. Book: The Statistical Review of the Ryman Football League 2011/12 season . Mike . Wilson . 31 . 2012.
  68. News: Former Margate, Gravesend and Tonbridge striker Jean-Michel Sigere brings experience to Chatham Town . Andrew . Gidley . Medway Messenger . 7 June 2012 . 9 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120610063336/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway_messenger/sport/2012/june/8/chatham_town.aspx . 10 June 2012.
  69. Book: The Statistical Review of the Ryman Football League 2012/13 season . Mike . Wilson . 29 . 2013.
  70. Web site: Sigere's on the move again . Steve . Whitney . Pitchero Non-League . 20 November 2012 . 29 March 2017 . https://archive.today/20130131134130/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/sigeres-on-the-move-again-17987/ . 31 January 2013.
  71. Book: The Statistical Review of the Ryman Football League 2012/13 season . Mike . Wilson . 52 . 2013.

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