Pompey boss criticises Accrington's Rommy Boco actions

Rommy Boco, centre, appeared as a substitute for Accrington last night to Pompey manager Paul Cooks dismay Picture: Joe Pepler

Paul Cook spoke of his disappointment after Accrington Stanley broke a gentleman's agreement to play Rommy Boco.

The utility player left Fratton Park in January following five appearances.

His exit was secured through a mutual agreement to end his Blues contract six months early.

That allowed Boco to become a free agent and join Accrington for a third time in his career.

As previously revealed in The News, Cook insists there was a gentleman’s agreement with John Coleman that the 30-year-old would not feature in Stanley’s next encounter with the Blues.

Yet Pompey’s boss was incensed before the match to see Boco’s name among the substitutes when handed the submitted team sheet.

To make matters worse, he appeared as a 67th-minute substitute for Piero Mingoia during the 3-1 victory.

And friction remains between Cook and the man who once managed him at Accrington.

He said: ‘I enjoyed that result immensely, yes.

‘There are obviously a couple of things that have gone on that have disappointed me, really disappointed me, because I have looked after people here, I really have.

‘I have helped a deal to go through and there was a gentleman’s agreement there and that has disappointed me – and that will affect a friendship now.

‘But I don’t want to go on about that any more.’

Similar agreements had been reached with Leyton Orient over Nigel Atangana and Cambridge United with James Dunne.

Both players were allowed to leave Fratton Park to join rival League Two clubs in January, with six months remaining on their deals.

As a result, neither featured in subsequent matches against the Blues, coming back into their respective sides following the encounter.

Although there is nothing legally binding with such an arrangement, Cook trusted in a gentleman’s agreement with the opposite manager on each occasion.

Regardless, Coleman felt the necessity to include Boco in his match-day 18.

The Benin international has now made eight appearances for Stanley, scoring twice.

Fortunately for Pompey, his presence had no outcome on last night’s outstanding 3-1 victory,

Kyle Bennett, Michael Doyle and a Matty Pearson own goal helped clinch the win which lifted the Blues into fourth place with 11 matches remaining.