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English footballer (born 1953) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roger Verdi (born Rajinder Singh Virdee on 4 February 1953) is an English retired professional footballer who spent his entire career in North America, making over 100 league appearances in the North American Soccer League.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Rajinder Singh Virdee | ||
Date of birth | 4 February 1953 | ||
Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Youth career | |||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
Ipswich Town | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1972 | Vancouver Spartans | 25 | (1) |
1972–1973 | Montreal Olympique | 25 | (1) |
1974 | Miami Toros | 10 | (0) |
1975–1977 | St. Louis Stars | (0) | |
1978 | San Jose Earthquakes | 9 | (0) |
1979 | Cleveland Cobras | ||
1979 | Columbus Magic | ||
1980 | Phoenix Fire | 0 | (0) |
1980–1981 | Phoenix Inferno | 38 | (2) |
Total | 141+ | (3+) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Verdi was born on 4 February 1953,[1][2] as Rajinder Singh Virdee in Nairobi, Kenya, to Indian Sikh parents.[3] He was the youngest of their two sons.[4] The family moved to England when Verdi was aged seven, settling in Smethwick.[4] He attended Sandwell Boys school.[4]
Verdi changed his name due to racism.[4] He went by 'Roger Jones' and 'Roger Jones Verdi' before settling on 'Roger Verdi'.[4]
Verdi played with the youth teams of both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town,[4] but failing to get a professional contract with either team, moved to North America.[5]
Verdi began his career in Canada with the Vancouver Spartans.[4]
Verdi played in the NASL between 1972 and 1978 for the Montreal Olympique, Miami Toros, St. Louis Stars and San Jose Earthquakes, making a total of 103 league appearances.[1] He later played in the ASL for the Cleveland Cobras, Columbus Magic, and the Phoenix Fire, and in the MISL for Phoenix Inferno.[1]
After his playing career ended he moved into coaching, holding assistant coaching positions with Athlone Town FC, Stockport County, Phoenix Inferno and Cleveland Cobras. Other coaching positions include Co-director for Hubert Vogelsinger Soccer Academy in Texas, Connecticut and California and has been the Technical Director for youth clubs in Washington, New Mexico. He joined DFW Tornados as a coach in 2010.[6]
He is also the owner of the Roger Verdi International Soccer Academy.[6]
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