Bolaji Douglas: I will forever treasure my days in BCC Lions

Can I meet you formally?My name is Bolaji Douglas. I am retired footballer. I played in Nigeria for over 13 years. Although I am from Edo State, I was born and bred in Ilorin. I started my football career in P&T Satellite FC in Ilorin. From there I moved on to kWASU Bomber FC also […]

Can I meet you formally?
My name is Bolaji Douglas. I am retired footballer. I played in Nigeria for over 13 years. Although I am from Edo State, I was born and bred in Ilorin. I started my football career in P&T Satellite FC in Ilorin. From there I moved on to kWASU Bomber FC also in Ilorin. From Bombers, I signed for NNB Benin but it was short lived because the team was disbanded. So I moved to play for 3SC Ibadan. From 3SC, I joined BCC Lions FC Gboko. I was with them for about seven years before finally quitting the game. I was part of the Super Eagles team that travelled to England in 1994 as well as the 1995 Confederation Cup in Riyadh. Presently I am based in the Republic of Ireland.
When you started your football career, who was your role model?
I can say I was inspired by at least three players. I remember the Italian Defender called Claudio Gentile. When I was in the University that used to be my nickname. The other person who really inspired me was Stephen Keshi because of his knack for going forward to score goals. The other player I also looked up to was Sunny Eboigbe for his ruggedness. These three players helped shaped me career wise.
 What was your biggest career move?
For me my biggest career move was my transfer from KWASU Bombers to NNB. NNB was a big club then so it was my dream to play for them. But like I said it was short lived because the team was disbanded shortly after I joined them. But it was my first move away from my first club so it was special. But I think my most rewarding move was my switch from 3SC Ibadan to BCC Lions because it was there that my career blossomed and I achieved everything I dreamt of achieving in that profession. So it was my most rewarding career move.
In concrete terms what did you achieve with BCC Lions FC?
As a footballer, I think you want to be able to look back and say these were my trophies. I know many people who played on the home scene and can’t boast of anything to show for it. Winning the Nelson Mandela Cup, winning the FA Cup two times and winning the league cannot be said to be small achievements. I think having those medals means that for all the years I spent running after the ball, I got something to show for it. Fame wise there are people I know today I wouldn’t have known if not for playing for BCC. I met my wife while playing in Gboko. And I built a house there. So its been quite rewarding. I enjoyed all the years I spent there. I am still very much part of the Tiv family. I have gained more off the field than on the field. I treasure everything.
What was your most memorable moment in BCC Lions FC?
If I remember very well, it would be winning the 1993 Challenge Cup and the reason being that I had just been made the captain of the team. If you remember very well, I took over from Alumun Aule who had taken over from Moses Kpakor. Moses was the captain when the team won the Challenge Cup in 89. Alumum was the captain when the team won the Mandela Cup in 1990. So here was I someone from the outside coming in to become the captain. My predecessors won something so I was under immense pressure. So it was a huge relief after 90 minutes in Kaduna in 1993 when we won the FA Cup by beating Plateau United. It was a massive relief. The following year, we did the double, winning the FA and the league. But for me, 1993 was the highest point. It took the pressure off my back.
What was your saddest day in the colours of BCC Lions FC?
I think it would be in 1993 as well. We were in the running for the league. And there was this particular match we needed to avoid defeat. It was an away match against Udoji United. We were containing them and two minutes to go, there was this harmless cross and I had the option of just booting the ball away but I said why not control the ball and keep possession. And in the course of trying to control the ball, it bounced and hit my hand and a penalty was awarded against us.  I still remember after the game, I just broke down. I just couldn’t be consoled because at that point in time, we lost the league. I remember not turning out for the following training session. I also remember Amodu calling me aside and asking if he had to organise a counselling session? I said no, I just have to get back my head. If we had not won the FA Cup, I would have always looked back in time to say I messed up everything. It was my saddest moment.
For how long did you captain the team?
I captained the club from 1993 till 1997 when I decided to quit because of my injury. I wrote to the management to say I could not continue. I decided to step down as the captain. I needed to do something else with my life. I had to move on.
You met so many stars in BCC Lions but which player impressed you the most?
It is going to be difficult to say because they all came with different attributes but for some reasons I will always pick Moses Kpakor for many reasons. In 1990, he had made a name for himself as the man who policed Rabber Madjer of Algeria and I still remember that he brought calming influence in the team. I remember he was supposed to travel out just to sign a contract but most of the players were down with injuries and he was persuaded to play just one more match for us in Owerri but for him, that was the end. He broke his leg in that very match against Iwuanyanwu Nationale and that ended his dream. That was how selfless he was for the team. He was a leader and when he was on the field, he brought in something special. There were others as well. Late Amir Angwe was another player who brought a heart to the team. We had the likes of John Zaki and Patrick Mancha. These were young guys who came in and really challenged the rest of us.
How did you get into the Super Eagles?
I had a fantastic season in 1994 season. I was the best defender on the home scene that year and my coach, Amodu Shaibu was named the national coach that same year. I was one of the players he took from BCC. Sam Pam and I were invited to the team. But I wouldn’t say I had a stellar career at the national level because of my injury and it is one regret I have. To be honest with you, if I feel dissatisfied, it is because I didn’t have the kind of international career I always dreamt of having. That’s why when I see people mess around with call ups, it gets me angry because it is something I really wanted. All the same, I have to thank God because I had the opportunity to test myself against the best in the land.
As a defender, did you have attackers you dreaded in your playing days?
It is always a challenge playing against some of the best strikers in the land. I had a couple of strikers you face through the ninety minutes and you give them a handshake. I can think of two actually. The first one will be Gabriel Okolosi for his doggedness. He played for Julius Berger. The other person will be Ishaya Jatau who played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale. We have a history going back in Ilorin.  And he came trying to prove a point in Gboko and in JS Tarka stadium it was war. By the time both of us finished, there were bruises all over our bodies. We dragged ourselves all over the place. Most of the others who had made a name and were playing in the national team were always careful so all you needed was just to intimidate them and for the rest of the game they would be off.
Would you say what is happening currently in Nigeria in professional football?
It is still a far cry from what is happening in Europe. However, I have seen some improvements. I have seen teams well kitted in training and things like that but it is still a far cry. As long as players don’t get paid on time and as long as they are owed salaries it is still not professional football. Players are owed months of salary. If all you can pay a player is N10,000, don’t promise him more than you can afford. Get players who would play for you for ten thousand naira. Don’t promise millions you cannot pay.
Among the Nigerian clubs in the 1980s which of them impressed you most in terms of organisation?
I will say Julius Berger. The team was not known to be one of the high paying clubs. They were not paying sign on fees. But the atmosphere in Berger was fantastic. They have this professional outlook. The welfare of players was well taken care of. Their players’ kits, the way they travel, medical facilities and camp were top notch. But they were not one of the high paying clubs. I was supposed to play for them before I switched to BCC. I knew what was being offered was peanuts compared to what BCC was offering. Yet I had it at the back of my mind that I would retire there because I wanted to experience that atmosphere. This is what is lacking today.