Congolese striker Tresor Kandol's colourful past
Tresor Osmar Kandol was born on August 30, 1981 in Banga, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the cousin of former Newcastle United star Lomana LuaLua, sharing the same trademark somersault goal celebration. His career in English football began at Luton Town who he joined in 1998. He made only 21 appearances in three years, scoring 3 goals. Whilst with the Hatters he was found guilty of fare-dodging on Thameslink trains by Luton Magistrates Court. Shortly afterwards he was released by Luton and had brief spells at Cambridge United and AFC Bournemouth, before arriving at non-league Thurrock in 2002.
During his three year stay Kandol banged in goals with regularity, hitting 61 in only 102 appearances. In 2005 he moved to Dagenham and Redbridge, scoring 6 goals in 12 games before being loaned to Darlington. His loan period with the Quakers lasted 7 games in which he scored twice. He was again involved in controversy whilst with Darlington after reportedly going AWOL for six days, after being given permission to visit London to attend a christening.
By January 2006 Tresor was on the move again, this time to Barnet, where he hit 10 goals in 29 appearances. But once again his football life was overshadowed by his personal life when, after pleading guilty to charges of driving whilst disqualified and failing to attend court, he was sent to prison for 13 weeks. After impressing at the Bees on his release, scoring twice to knock Cardiff City out of the Carling Cup, he caught the attention of newly appointed Leeds boss Dennis Wise and joined the club on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
He scored his first goal for the Whites in a 2-2 draw with Barnsley, and saw his move made permanent during the January 2007 transfer window. However, Leeds battle to avoid the drop saw Kandol struggle to make an impact, and he became the subject of some fierce criticism from fans. United's subsequent relegation to League 1, and the clubs journey in and out of Administration during the Summer must have made Tresor wonder if he might well be on the move once more.
However, this season has seen the striker become a pivotal point of the Leeds United renaissance. He has turned the boos into cheers, hitting 8 league goals so far to join Jermaine Beckford at the head of the division's goalscoring charts. Maybe Kandol has finally found a home, where he can forget the indiscretions of the past, and see his name in lights for all the right reasons. Long may the somersaults continue!
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