GRANDPA DOE WINS MALAYSIA-SL GOLDEN BOOT…


 

by Pawala Janyan

 Expelled Liberia’s international, Francis Grandpa Doe has been awarded the Malaysia Super League Golden Boot for the 2011/2012 season jointly with fellow African counterpart, Jean-Emmanuel Effa Owona, a Cameroonian who currently plays for Negeri Sembilan FA, securing the award with 15 goals each. Upon receiving his award, Francis Doe stated that the award would have meant more if his Club, Terengganu had won a trophy this season. He further stated, “This is the second time I’ve won a Golden Boot. The first was when I was a 16-year-old boy back home,” said Francis, who hoped the Turtles will make an all-out effort for the Malaysia Cup.

Grandpa Doe, who joined his current club, Terengganu FA in January 2012 from Egyptian side, Al-Ahly also ended the season as top scorer of the Club with 19 goals to his credit, scoring 15 in the Malaysian Super League and the others in the FA Cup and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup. Grandpa is the second Liberian to wear the Terengganu FA colors, the first being ex-Lone Star player, Samuel Chebli, who played for the club from 1998 to 2001 after spending two seasons with another Malaysian side, Perak FA. A striker, Chebli played a part in the national team campaigns during the 90s and early millionaire and was a part of the Liberian squad that lost 2-0 to Sudan in Omdurman in the 2002 world cup qualifiers.

As you made recall, Doe along with Dioh Williams and Anthony Laffor were expelled by the Liberia Football Association from the national team for what they called misconducts, among other things. With this level of improvement in his game, still many Liberians believe that he still have more to do for his national side in regards to discipline and performance, if at all the FA reconsiders her decision.

Club Career (Source: www.wikipedia.org)

Doe began his career in the Cameroon Première Division in 2002, playing for Tonnerre Yaoundé. Doe was voted best foreign player and third best overall player (as voted on by the Cameroon Football Federation and the Cameroon Sports Writers Association), becoming the 2nd Liberian player to win the Cameroonian First Division foreign player of the year award, after former world footballer of the year, Amb. George Weah, who received the award more than a decade ago. In the same year, Doe led the club to the CAF Cup finals, netting six goals in eight CAF Cup matches.

In summer 2003, Doe moved back to Ghanaian side, Buduburam FC. He then moved again in 2004 and signed a contract with USL First Division side, Minnesota Thunder. Having drawn interest from many clubs including Walsall FC in England, as well as Boca Juniors in Argentina, Doe agreed to a two-year deal with Greek club Atromitos and was regularly transferred from Buduburam FC, with whom he tallied six goals in twenty league matches in his first season at the club.

In March 2007, Doe and Atromitos mutually agreed to end their contract. Doe later had a brief spell in the Major League Soccer on trial with FC Dallas, who were unable to secure his services due to league restrictions on the number of foreign players in one club. He then went on another trial with New York Red Bulls, eventually securing a contract with the club. On September 22, 2007, in his second start for the Red Bulls, Doe scored his first MLS goal and made an assist in a 2–2 draw versus the New England Revolution. Doe was a key contributor for the club after his late season acquisition.

 In 8 league matches, 4 of them coming from the bench, Doe managed to record two goals and one assist, and helped the club qualify for the MLS playoffs. Doe started the clubs first playoff game against the New England Revolution, logging 68 minutes in a scoreless affair. He was unable to participate in the second leg due to injury. He was waived by the team on February 21, 2008.

Doe signed with D.C. United after a short trial in April, 2008.[3] Since his arrival, Doe has scored in every competition for United, including both goals in the club's 2–1 league win over the New England Revolution on October 16, 2008. Doe was waived by D.C. United on April 24, 2009, to make room on the roster for new signing Avery John.

In summer 2009, Doe was approached by African Club of the Century Al-Ahly, who thought of him as an ideal replacement for their recently departed top goalscorer Flavio Amado. After only one week of negotiations, Doe decided to try his luck in a second spell in home Africa and signed to the Egyptian Premier League on July 14, 2009, on a free transfer.

He has featured for Al-Ahly in Wembley Cup friendly tournament, playing against Celtic FC and Barcelona FC. Doe scored his first goal with Al-Ahly on His debut against Ghazl El-Mehalla on August 6, 2009 to secure Al Ahly's 2–0 win in the opening match of the season. In January 2012, Francis officially joined the Malaysian club, Terengganu FA, where he currently plays.