It’s not often now a player will serve one club for seven years; Terence Vancooten doing just that – and about as many gaffers too. The defender arrived at the Lamex after a brief trial period in summer 2017. In doing so, he was the eighth signing by manager Darren Sarll. Who knew, though, what would come next as his career developed at Boro’ amid the utter lows of the 2019-20 to the joyous highs of 2022-3. In that period, Vancooten would ply his trade in the centre of defence and on occasion in defensive midfield. And, would you believe it, there were occasional goals too
Vancooten signed after leaving Reading as a 19-year-old at the end of the 2016-7 campaign. A full-back by trade, the feeling was that Vancooten would take the place of stalwart player Ronnie Henry. Fast forward seven years and he had become one of our longest-serving players in a generation; surviving relegation and securing promotion. All the while, he’d end up playing for us under numerous managers. Believe it or not – but, when Dino Maamria took charge in 2018, Vancooten was made available for loan. It seemed barely believable given his status in the squad come summer 2024.
And, indeed, that’d be the summer that time came for the player to move on. With one year left on his deal, Vancooten made it clear there’d be no new contract at the club. A very generous offer came in from Burton Albion and it was duly accepted; a move that suited both player and Boro’ alike. It was a sad farewell to a trusted servant, but that’s how it all goes in football these days. He left undoubtedly a better, more polished player. But he also departed having won a PFA Community Champion award – recognition of the role that Vancooten played for Boro’ on and off the pitch while here.
Terence Vancooten: Before Boro’
Vancooten may not have seen first team action while at the Royals, but two loan spells did give him a taste of senior football. First came a stint at Billericay Town, while the second was a three-month stay with Basingstoke Town.
