Fans' favourite Rommy Boco knows he has matured since his first spell at the Crown Ground – and he is glad he is showing it in his game.
The Benin international came to Stanley in 2005 for two years but it was his first spell in England, he struggled with the language and admitted he didn’t do himself justice.
But, after spells at Burton Albion, in China and in Sligo, the Frenchman has come back to Stanley a more developed player this season and the Reds are reaping the benefits.
He made it to 100 games for Stanley at Barnet last Friday and now is the joint top scorer with seven goals after three in as many games.
"He lets me know about the goals he has scored," said manager Leam Richardson. "He is a stat man and he keeps records of everything.
"But everyone can see he has matured as a person since he came back to the club and he is fantastic."
Boco supports this, adding: "I am a happy man. I have grown up. I was a bit young the first time I came here so I needed to learn about how to react, how to deal with the people because it’s a different culture, a different mentality.
"The first time I couldn’t understand a joke, a team-mate’s joke or something like that so I was always a bit down and it affected my play.
"But now I’m a very happy man and it’s easier for me to play. People look after me and it’s easy to be happy on the pitch and try to show my ability.
"That’s life, you have to go forward in life and put your mark on it, that’s what I’m doing."
Boco was pleased to hit a landmark 100 games for the Reds – although he didn’t know he had.
"I didn’t realise I’d played 100 games so that’s good," said the 27-year-old. "When I left the first time, I couldn’t remember how many games I had played.
"I played in the Conference and in the league and for a while I was on the bench so I couldn’t say how much I played, but it’s a good thing, 100 appearances for Accrington."
Boco has played in the African Cup of Nations against the likes of Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o but he enjoyed the Edgar Davids challenge at Barnet and now playing alongside ex-England international James Beattie.
"It was an honour to play against Edgar Davids; I used to watch his videos and I used to watch him play for Juventus and Holland and big clubs, so it’s an honour and a good thing to remember.
"And James Beattie, we have to respect the career he has had and he is going to teach the young ones. You have to respect that he has had a great career and he is here to help us."
