Now that Eno Nto is a Bull “I can check this with Ron Parrott” was one of my initial thoughts until I remembered that we’ve lost him. Ron was the perfect historian and good company. We’re going to miss you, mate. I imagined he would point out that Eno Nto can’t be our shortest name player as abbreviations are being used. Our new arrivals full name is Enomfon Uzoma Azuma Nto.
Derby-born Eno has a curious CV. He’s British born but played nearly all his adult football abroad. He’s managed only 66 minutes in competitive English mens football. He’s also had a very unusual background. At 14, he joined the famous Repton school where he stayed for 5 years. Current fees are £40,000 per year for day pupils (38,00 for boarders). Repton is known nationally for being one of the “big 4” for the quality of their football programme. Alongside school football, Eno was briefly at Wolves Academy and understandably bailed out quickly. Derby Country Academy took him on. Academies are often sniffy about school football but this is Repton and they dare not say no.
There was no big clash until he was 16 when County wanted him full time for their scholarship year.
Eno opted for Derby. By January, the young ‘baller was having second thoughts. He had a better offer. If he passed his A levels and various other tests, a scholarship to a USA university was open to him. Eno was one of 3 Repton pupils offered football scholarships by USA universities. As his school boasted. “It is fantastic to see Repton’s football programme developing pupils’ talents to such a high standard, allowing them the opportunity to further their academic and sporting endeavours across the pond.”
But first a year out. Via Brother Models of Manchester, he secured a 4-month modelling contract in Dubai. He followed this by securing a fourth month contract to play for a UEA Division 2 football club, helping them to secure promotion.
A few months later he started with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. One of America’s best sporting institution known as the Fighting Irish. Here he was surrounded by elite athletes of all sports. To stay, you must excel in both education and sport. He studied industrial design studying towards a bachelors in art and presumably excelled. Using his fashion knowledge, he secured 18 months part time work as a fashion stylist for Strike magazine. Of course, he also played football for the varsity team. This video is worth a look if only to admire the sports facilities. Eno Nto 2023 NCAA Goals (Notre Dame)
“The sport chose me” he explained to a Notre Dame audience. “Where I’m from, everyone plays football.” Adding “I’m all drive and I’m all fight.” Eno has offers to continue playing football in the States after his degree. But he wanted to get on with unfinished business and return to Derby.
County signed him for their U21 side in January 2024, his income possibly boosted by modelling. But with no progress by the end of the year, a three-month deal at Harrogate was seized upon. The Sulpherites offered him 45 minutes in the EFL trophy v Blackpool (he scored) and 21 minutes in a League game. He didn’t do enough to get another contract. He was unlucky with his injury and there was shock among supporters who thought he deserved more chances.
Since January, he’s focussed on his other job, moving up and down catwalks as a model rather than touchlines. Hereford can be the big break for our new forward. A settled base to show what he can do.
Welcome Eno.
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The Moonlighter