Jacob John

Left Back - Rivers United
27 Nov 2028
Monday
Process
116 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

16 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

Jacob John gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Handsome Surveyor knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rivers United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Market

The Handsome Surveyor talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rivers United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

Back issues
110 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

4 Sep 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Kwara United come back empty-handed

The bid was some way short and Rivers United did not need long over it. Nobody in the game reads a first refusal as the end of anything.

Match

4 matches without a win for Rivers United

The run now stands at 4, and the questions being asked around Rivers United are no longer polite ones.

Squad

Effimi Nsi gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Market

Segun Olurontoba attracts admirers

The name of Segun Olurontoba has come up in conversations Rivers United were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.

Match

Kano Pillars take the points off Rivers United

Beaten 0-1, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

Jacob John stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Jacob John and Rivers United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

In brief

74 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

27 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Seyi Oguntayo gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Jacob John asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Squad

The manager comes out for David Benjamin

Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. David Benjamin has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.

In brief

70 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

29 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Jacob John says Rivers United went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Tobi Ige

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Pius Igwe knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rivers United, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

68 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

15 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Rivers United are in among the leaders

Position 1 and 61 points on the board. Nobody at the ground will say the word out loud yet, and everybody at the ground is thinking it.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Chizoba Amaefule

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

The Stephen Manyo talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rivers United know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

47 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

21 Jun 2027
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

Rivers United come up short against Abia Warriors

Abia Warriors left with the points after a 0-1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Squad

Pius Igwe gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

The terraces

Everybody has an opinion about Ani Ozoemena

He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.

In brief

39 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

26 Apr 2027
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

The cup run ends for Rivers United

1-1 against Niger Tornadoes, and the road stops here. Cup exits are quick deaths — no second leg, no next week, just the league from now until May.

Match

7 matches without a win for Rivers United

The run now stands at 7, and the questions being asked around Rivers United are no longer polite ones.

Squad

Jacob John: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rivers United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

In brief

24 Edition

The Rivers United Herald

11 Jan 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Jacob John: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rivers United have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Match

Enyimba take the points off Rivers United

Beaten 1-2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Suleiman Abdullahi

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

Sylvester Bell told to find a new club

“They were honest with me, and I would rather know.” Sylvester Bell has been informed he is not in the manager's thinking at Rivers United.

Squad

Stephen Amos asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Market

Stephen Manyo linked with a move away

The name of Stephen Manyo keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Rivers United say nothing, which says plenty.

In brief