Glad to impress Bhoy scouts
Mclubs.
Scottish giants Celtic, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday were all said to be tracking the big defender as his Colchester contract ran out in 2012.
The U’s had already turned down a series of bids, including one from Norwich, which would have seen him reunited with his old Colchester boss Paul Lambert.
It was a funny time as Okuonghae ended up staying with Colchester for three more years and captaining the side under Joe Dunne, the man who recommended him to Maidstone.
Celtic, the 1967 European Cup winners, were probably the biggest club linked with the centre-half.
But he’ll never know how close they were to making a move.
Okuonghae, who has joined Stones after leaving Dagenham, said: “It was a weird one because I’d had a topsy-turvy summer.
“I was in my last year at Colchester and they’d turned down a number of bids, which was fine because I loved it there and I didn’t make a fuss.
“Charlton and Norwich had bids turned down and Peterborough as well I think.
“When there’s interest it snowballs and you get linked with everyone.
“That summer was crazy. I didn’t personally have any contact with Celtic but it was flattering to be linked.
“You do sit there and think about it at the time but you can’t dwell on things.
“If you dwell on things that could have happened in football, the next thing you know your career is finished and you’re still dwelling.
“It would have been nice to get the move but I’ve enjoyed my career.”
Okuonghae played more than 200 games for Colchester, making his debut in a stunning 7-1 win at Norwich on the opening day of the League 1 season.
If his Maidstone debut is half as spectacular – he could feature at Braintree tomorrow (Saturday) – it’ll be quite an afternoon.
He said: “It was surreal. I’d just come from Dagenham and there I was making my debut in front of 26,000 people and we were 5- 0 up by half-time.
“Paul Lambert was an unbelievable manager.
“He’d prepared us so well over preseason and instilled so much belief. We won three out of three before he left for Norwich.”
Okuonghae spent his first few seasons at Colchester challenging for promotion.
In later years, it was all about survival – experience which will stand him in good stead for Maidstone’s National League relegation battle.
He already knew keeper Lee Worgan – the pair lived together as young players at Rushden & Diamonds – and quickly felt at home at the Gallagher.
Okuonghae, who watched the 4-2 win over Chester last weekend, said: “I was genuinely impressed with the set-up.
“Usually when clubs are in this position the team don’t play with freedom and there’s tension around the ground and in the changing room but I’ve seen no signs of that.
“I was in a similar situation twice at Colchester and that’s what kept us going, the fact we managed to block out our position and remain upbeat.
“From what I’ve seen we have the right characters around the place to do that and the manager is calm.”
Former Stones boss John Still signed Okuonghae three times – twice for Dagenham and once at Luton – and described him as a beast. His desire to defend is just what Maidstone need.
Okuonghae said: “I like to try and do my job, whatever it takes.
“There’s no better feeling than coming off the pitch with a clean sheet having made a few blocks and interceptions and not letting your man score from a set-piece.
“I think it’s important you know your role in the team. My role is not to win the game, my role is to defend.”
Okuonghae’s first spell at Dagenham came in their League 2 days.
He returned to Victoria Road to cover for injuries in November and was released by Still last month.
He goes back there with Maidstone on Tuesday night after joining Jay Saunders’ side for the rest of the season.
Okuonghae said: “We haven’t spoken about it yet but if I can provide Jay with any insight on Dagenham, I’d be more than happy to offer information. “I’m looking forward to going back. “I like Stilly. He’s a good man and a good manager who looks after his players. I have nothing but kind words to say about him.
“He’s one of those managers that you have to work for to really understand him.
“From afar, people might pass judgement on the way he goes about playing but when you’ve played for him, you appreciate just how good he is.”