Claude Gnakpa

Claude Gnakpa

Born in Marseilles, France. Claude trained with Montpelier HSC and then followed anomadic football life with his time at Luton Town being his longest stay by far. He started out at several French lower league sides then the same routine in Spain before arriving at Swindon Town on trial in March 2007. A few matches were spent bench warming with no chance to prove himself on the pitch but in the Summer a successful trial period at Peterborough United resulted in a contract.

The season was a successful one for the Posh which saw promotion to the second tier with Claude playing his part as a defender in 29 games. A contract could not be agreed and a number of clubs came calling. Luton Town was his choice despite the minus 30 point penalty imposed on the club.

Claude made the first of his 136 appearances for the Hatters against Port Vale in the first game of the 2008/09 season. His first goal came in the 2 1 home defeat to Darlington in October 2008 and he would go on to play in 29 games scoring 4 goals. His most important goal by far came in the Football League Trophy Final against Scunthorpe United at Wembley. Coming on as substitute his run on to a through ball and lob sealed a memorable 3 2 victory in from of 42,000 jubilant Hatters’ fans.

The goal sealed Claude a place in the hearts of the Hatters’ fans who forgave him when at times, he could be clumsy and make the wrong decision. But everyone recognised the talent, the pace, the skill, the heading ability and accepted the unpredictability that Claude brought to the side.

In the 2009/10 season Claude was used more as a winger than a full back and scored his first hat-trick away to Ebbsfleet in March 2010 as part of a 6 1 victory. A total of 32 appearances and 9 goals could not help the Hatters’ to promotion as they lost out in the play off semi final to York City.

The following season saw Claude make 44 appearances and score 15 goals helping to take the Town into the Play off final against AFC Wimbledon. That sad day proved to be Claude’s last for the Hatters as his contract was not renewed. A one year deal with Walsall followed then onto Inverness Caledonian Thistle for a short spell and then to Goa.

In September 2015 the Fenland Citizen announced that Claude had signed for Macmillan F.C. - “Club founder and manager Justin Cross said: ‘It’s fantastic news for the club. He doesn’t want to play for our league team, just the charity one; he will be a great asset to our fundraising efforts.’ Gnakpa came to know about Macmillan FC after playing against them with Luton’s Hatters Talk in the second Mark Ovendale match, in memory of the former Wisbech and Luton goalkeeper, in June. Mr Cross hopes Gnakpa will be available for the next game against the Leverington Veterans, which is due to be held in November. If he can attend, it is hoped a fundraising evening with the star can be held afterwards, too.”