Romain Larrieu

Romain Larrieu

Larrieu as a Plymouth Argyle player
Personal information
Full name	Romain Larrieu
Date of birth	(1976-08-31) 31 August 1976 (age 35)
Place of birth	Mont-de-Marsan, France
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Plymouth Argyle (assistant manager)
Youth career
1994–1996	Montpellier
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996–1998	Montpellier	0	(0)
1998–2000	Valence	1	(0)
2000–2012	Plymouth Argyle	292	(0)
2007	→ Gillingham (loan)	14	(0)
2007	→ Yeovil Town (loan)	6	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:19, 5 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Romain Larrieu (born 31 August 1976) is a retired French footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Montpellier, Valence, Plymouth Argyle, Gillingham and Yeovil Town. He is now assistant manager at Plymouth Argyle, a club he served with distinction as a player for twelve seasons.^[2]

Playing career

Larrieu started his career in his native France at Montpellier, but finding it impossible to dislodge the experienced French international Bruno Martini, he decided to move on. His next club was ASOA Valence where he played with another future Plymouth player, David Friio, until their relegation into the French Third Division when Larrieu was released along with Friio in the summer of 2000.

Following a six-month break he was recommended to Argyle's manager, Paul Sturrock and was signed on a one-month trial contract, making his debut on December 6, in the Football League Trophy versus Bristol City. Having been signed as a back-up keeper, he played 14 league games following injury to regular goalkeeper Jon Sheffield and despite obvious rustiness and nerves he was rewarded with a permanent contract.

Larrieu was surprisingly made first choice for the 2001–02 season but this decision proved to be a masterstroke. Plymouth became champions of Division Three (now League 2) with Larrieu conceding only 28 goals, keeping 27 clean-sheets (a club record) and pulling off many a fine save. He was also named in the PFA Division Three team of the year.^[3] He was again first choice for the 2002–03 season as he became a fan favourite at Home Park. After that he was linked with a shock move to then Premiership champions Arsenal. But his 2003–04 season was cut short after 6 games after sustaining damaged knee ligaments. Argyle won promotion from Division 2 (now League 1) that season, and in 2004–05 he shared goalkeeping duties with Luke McCormick in the Championship.

The following season (2005–06) Larrieu resumed duties as first choice goalkeeper playing in 45 of the 46 league fixtures again putting in impressive displays. In the 2006–07 season, he suffered with testicular cancer, and after his recovery,he was allowed to go out on loan to Gillingham.

He made his debut for Gillingham in a 2–0 away defeat to Swansea City on 23 January 2007. What was originally intended to be a short term loan was extended until mid-April, because of injury to Gillingham goalkeeper Kelvin Jack.

The 2007–08 season was another disappointment for Larrieu. With McCormick continuing to be the first choice goalkeeper, Larrieu was sent on loan to Yeovil Town for a month long loan, where he made six appearances in the league for them. After some impressive form he returned to Plymouth and established himself as the number one goalkeeper until Christmas, where a second bout of ill health ended up ruling him out for the rest of the season, meaning he was only able to play 15 games for Plymouth all year.

Larrieu began the 2008–09 season behind former Arsenal man Graham Stack, but returned to the side in the 2–1 win at Watford and kept his place for the remainder of the season, proving to be as influential as ever in his 40 league appearances. In recognition of his performances throughout the season, Larrieu was voted as Plymouth Argyle Player of the Year by the clubs supporters.^[4] As of the 2009–10 season he will be club captain. On 5 May 2012, Larrieu announced that the club's final match of the 2011–12 campaign against Cheltenham Town would be his last as a player.^[5][6]

Coaching career

On 19 September 2011, Larrieu was appointed first team player-coach to caretaker manager Carl Fletcher following the dismissal of Peter Reid on a temporary basis. The pair took over permanently in November.

On 28 May 2012, the club confirmed that Larrieu had signed rolling 12 month contract to become the club's Assistant Manager, under Manager Carl Fletcher.

Career statistics

As of match played on 5 May 2012.

Footballing honours

Club

Plymouth Argyle

• Football League Third Division: 2001–02
• Football League Second Division: 2003–04

Individual

• PFA Third Division Team of the Year: 2001–02
• Plymouth Argyle F.C. Player of the Year: 2008–09

References

External links

• Romain Larrieu career stats at Soccerbase