Omar Bogle

Club career

Bogle was born in Sandwell, West Midlands. He attended Menzies High School, which later became The Phoenix Collegiate and started his career with West Brom's youth system before moving to the Birmingham City academy appearing for their reserve team when only just 16 years old. Released by Birmingham, he played in Rangers U17's "Play on the pitch game" in April 2011, scoring a brace against Dunfermline. Bogle moved to Celtic's academy in September 2011 where he featured played for Celtic Under 19’s team in the European Next-Gen Series. He then returned south in March 2012, to pursue regular first team football.

Hinckley United

Bogle signed for Conference North side Hinckley United in March 2012. He made his debut on 19 March 2012 in a 1–3 home defeat against Solihull Moors. He scored his first goal for the club with a late winner against Vauxhall Motors on 24 March 2012, Calum Flanagan’s throw-in found Bogle with his back to goal 12 yards out, he turned his marker before curling a low shot beyond goalkeeper Scott Tynan into the far corner. On 9 April 2012, he pulled a goal back in the 1–3 home defeat against Bishop's Stortford On 15 April 2012, he scored an equalising goal 11 minutes from time in the 1–1 stalemate at Worcester City, Bogle gathered the ball 20 yards out, before taking it past a Worcester defender, and shooting from the edge of the area low and beyond the beaten Sargeant.

Bogle departed The Knitters in July 2012, having made 8 appearances and scoring 3 goals during his time at De Montfort Park.

Solihull Moors

On 7 July 2012, Bogle signed for Conference North side with Solihull Moors He made his debut for Solihull on 18 August 2012 in the 3–1 away defeat at Colwyn Bay. On 21 August 2012, he provided an assist and a goal in the 3–0 home tie against Corby Town, within 15 minutes Bogle collected the ball on the left flank and provided a perfect cross which Darryl Knights knocked in the first goal, he then scored his first goal for Solihull Moors, on 27 minutes a corner floated into the box and Bogle steered the ball into the net.

On 24 September 2012, he scored an equaliser in the 37th minute, against Midland Football Alliance side Westfields in the FA Cup second round, Ryan Beswick's long-range free-kick floated through a crowd of bodies for Bogle to head home past the keeper. On 26 September 2012, he scored the 2nd goal in the 1–2 win in the second round FA Cup replay against Westfields, an 89th minute a right wing corner from which Bogle used his strength to force the ball over the line.

Bogle scored a brace in the third round qualifying of the 2012–13 FA Trophy against AFC Fylde on 10 November 2012 in the 18th minute, a cross into the penalty area caused them problems, Bogle and Knights shotes rebounded and eventually fell again to Bogle who side foot into the net from close range; his second came only 3 minutes later, a long throw from Keenah Rosser, which found Bogle who fired the ball low into the left-hand corner of the net, from the edge of the box. Another 1–2 victory in the FA Trophy, this time over Hednesford Town a loose ball in midfield was picked up by Bogle in plenty of space, which gave him time to curl a magnificent unstoppable shot over former Solihull keeper Dan Crane from 25 yards out. He also appeared in the FA Trophy second round against Conference Premier side Wrexham, which ended up a 3–2 defeat for Solihull.

Bogle spent a trial for a week with Championship side Bournemouth in July 2013, where he went on a pre-season training camp in Switzerland and played against FC Zürich, however his trial wasn't progressed any further. He then signed up again with Solihull for the upcoming 2013–14 season.

Three games into the 2014/15 season on 16 August 2014, Bogle scored his first two goals, a loose ball in the 63rd minute caused havoc in the penalty area, the ball came to Bogle who was on hand to smash home; Bogle then slotted home for his second of the game from the penalty spot on 71 minutes, Matt Regan conceded a penalty on the edge of the box and Omar to seal all three points. On 20 December 2014, Bogle scored a hat-trick in the 1–4 demolition of Colwyn Bay, his first came on 10 minutes when a free kick was taken by Ryan Beswick, which Liam Daly duly nodded down in the box for Bogle skillfully rolled the ball into the right hand corner; following a good move out of defence, Colwyn Bay failed to clear in the box and Bogle poked his second of the day; Bogle sweeping on to the loose ball on 36 minutes, after Jack Truelove gave the ball away in his own half, he curled the shot around the stranded keeper for his hat-trick and Moors third. Bogle scored his final league goal for the 2014/15 season, an equaliser in the 2–2 draw with AFC Fylde, a handball in the box from Josh Langley resulted in a penalty from which Bogle scored with virtually the last kick of the game.

While at Solihull Moors Bogle won the Conference North player of the year, he also won the golden boot award after topping the division's goalscoring charts in 2014/2015 with 29 goals.

2015–16 season

Bogle joined National League side Grimsby Town on 15 June 2015 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Prior to him signing, he was admist much transfer speculation with numerous clubs reportedly scouting him, Grimsby had outbid a £10,000 sum by Nuneaton Town which was rejected by Solihull. Grimsby Town also fended off interest from Gateshead to sign Bogle. Milton Keynes Dons and Port Vale in League One were also confirmed in March 2015 to be weighing up a move for him.

He made his full debut with Grimsby on 8 August 2015, in the 2–2 draw at Kidderminster. Bogle scored three days later in the 4–1 home thrashing of Barrow; scoring the second goal on 22 minutes, after a mistake in the Barrow defense, he slotted a right footed shot past the keeper to score his first goal for the club.

On 8 May 2016, Bogle scored the winner in the 0–2 win against Braintree; with 10 minutes to go of extra time, Jon Nolan swung in a deep free-kick to the far post and no-one in an Orange shirt had picked up Bogle, with the keeper in no-man's land, Bogle planted a header into the bottom corner; Bogle's goal for Grimsby overturned a 1–0 first-leg deficit, beating Braintree and securing their place in the National League promotion final against Forest Green. Bogle scored the opening two goals in Grimsby's 3–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the 2016 National League play-off Final at Wembley, seeing Grimsby promoted to League Two after a six-year absence from the Football League.

2016–17

Bogle made his League Two professional debut with Grimsby on 6 August 2016, coming off the subs bench in the opening game of the season, a 2–0 win over Morecambe. His first goal came on his full debut on 16 August 2016, in the 3–2 defeat at Colchester; blasting a left footed shot from 18-yards in the second-minute of stoppage time.

Bogle won the PFA Fans' Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award for August and September 2016. He was also named in Sky Bets EFL: Team of the Week for the months of August 2016, September, twice in October 2016, November 2016.

In January 2017, Championship side Rotherham United had 3 separate bids turned down by Grimsby for Bogle, a further bid by the club was also rejected. Bogle was also subject of an enquiry by fellow Championship sides Leeds United and Brentford. Premier League sides Hull and Swansea joined the race, along with Championship pair Norwich and Reading for his signature.

Wigan Athletic

On 31 January 2017, Bogle signed for Championship side Wigan Athletic on a two and half year deal for an undisclosed fee; this included a number of additional clauses, if Wigan maintained their Championship status in the current season, return to the Premier League, also a sell-on clause.

Bogle made his first appearance for the club on 3 February 2017 in the 1–0 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, coming off the subs bench to replace Will Grigg in the 67nd minute. His first goals came when he made his full debut on 7 February 2017, the game finishing a 2–2 draw at home to Norwich City; his first came from a header from a Michael Jacobs corner to equalise on 62 minutes, then 6 minutes later he scored from a free-kick from the right side edge of the area into the far corner.

International career

Bogle was selected and called up to the England C team in 2014, to play against Estonia U23's. On 18 November 2014, Bogle opened the scoring after just four minutes and nodded down for Harry Beautyman to notch number two. He was substituted midway through the second half but not before seeing another shot blocked off the line; he left the pitch to a loud applause from the crowd.

Style of play

Bogle primarily plays as a central striker, he can dribble, hold the ball up, scores headers, ambidextrous he has the ability to score with his right foot, as well as his left foot.

Trivia

Omar Bogle's chant by Grimsby Town fans is a version of the song Tender by the band Blur.

Career statistics

Player

Individual