This blog was first published in the Watford v Derby Matchday programme on Saturday 13th August 2011.
Over the summer many players have taken a trip on the transfer merry go round, but Mike is ever so happy that Watford have one constant.
So here we are again then, 104 days after we saw QPR clinch their Championship title, it's all beginning again. Exciting isn't it? I'd like to begin by saying well done and thanks for not joining Cardiff City over the summer - at one stage it looked like all but the East Stand was going to up sticks and head down the M4, so congratulations on sticking with the Hornets.
Of course, in reality there is never any question of us deserting our club. Players, managers, staff and even stadiums come and go, but us supporters are always here. We're loyal. Occasionally, players do come along that match our dedication and devotion. We've all heard of the phrase “One club man”, but it isn't too often we get to use it. As Watford fans we are lucky enough to have one such player in our midst.
Since coming on as a substitute against Birmingham City on Wednesday 26 September 2001, he has played under six different managers, played over 300 games for the Hornets and has scored a single, memorable goal. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Lloyd Doyley.
Showing posts with label Lloyd Doyley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lloyd Doyley. Show all posts
Monday, 15 August 2011
Thursday, 4 August 2011
PODCAST SPECIAL - Lloyd Doyley FTRE Interview
DOWNLOAD LLOYD DOYLEY FTRE SPECIAL VIA ITUNES
Do you have a bloke at work who's worked there for an awfully long time? He might not be the high flier or go looking for the attention of the boss every 5 minutes, but he gets on with his work and if he disappeared you'd wonder how the place would keep running. Well for me, at Watford Football Club that bloke is called Lloyd Doyley and this year is his testimonial year.
Yes, it's really been 10 years since we saw a fresh faced, 18 year old Lloyd run on the Vicarage Road pitch to replace Pierre Issa. He's gone on to make over 300 appearances, he's been picked by 6 different bosses and scored one fantastic goal.
To help kick off his testimonial year Lloyd took FTRE on a bit of a tour of the backroom area at Vicarage Road. He talked to us about his matchday preparation, how the changing room runs, his heroes and contemporaries, his highs and lows, oh and of course that goal. You might have heard 10 minutes of this interview on Podcast 2.1, but the exclusive FTRE Lloyd Doyley Special podcast is a full 30 minutes.
You can download the podcast via iTUNES or listen on-line by clicking on the play button below.
- Jon
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Monday, 1 August 2011
Watford FC in 100 Objects - #1
As football fans, the things we treasure most are our memories. Players and managers, even stadiums come and go, but we will always have our memories, and we wanted to come up with something that would allow us to share ours, whilst also hearing what other gems fellow fans can remember. That's why we are launching our new project – Watford in 100 objects.
Watford in 100 objects is to bring together a list of one hundred different items, each providing an evocative memory or time in Watford's history, but we need your help to do it! Here at FTRE we have our own objects that will be included, but what will make it special is hearing yours. The object can be absolutely anything as long as it is linked in some way to Watford Football Club.
To play a part, all you have to do is email details of your object (you don't have to own it!), along with a brief description as to why you want it included to podcast@fromtherookeryend.com. We will be building the list as the season goes on, providing updates here on the website and on our monthly podcasts so if you want yours to be featured, email us today.
Watford in 100 objects is to bring together a list of one hundred different items, each providing an evocative memory or time in Watford's history, but we need your help to do it! Here at FTRE we have our own objects that will be included, but what will make it special is hearing yours. The object can be absolutely anything as long as it is linked in some way to Watford Football Club.
To play a part, all you have to do is email details of your object (you don't have to own it!), along with a brief description as to why you want it included to podcast@fromtherookeryend.com. We will be building the list as the season goes on, providing updates here on the website and on our monthly podcasts so if you want yours to be featured, email us today.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
POD 2.1 - Preseason 2011-2012
With the 2011-2012 is almost here and Jon, Jason and Mike are back for a 2nd season of podcasts. A new theme tune, a new challenge and a new season of football to talk about. As the the three life long Watford fans head to Watford's preseason match at AFC Wimbledon they have all the chat about the goings and comings at Vicarage Road over the closed season and of course they give their thoughts on how the new season might unravel.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Lloyd 300
Lloyd Doyley has reached a momentous landmark. Today at Leicester vs Watford he makes his 300th start for the club. He's been with the club for 18 years, arriving aged just 10 to play for the academy.
Next season is his Testimonial Year and we at From The Rookery End will be celebrating his time as a Hornet. He recently tweeted asking for your ideas. So if you've got any ideas then please send them in. Comment below or send us an email podcast@fromtherookeryend.com.
And maybe we should also come up with a new song... or at least sing this one in tune!
Jon
PS - Thanks to @aidanjay89 for doing the photo - AMAZING work!
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Monday, 9 August 2010
WIN: Lloyd Doyley's Certificate
In Podcast 1 we awarded the inaugural "From The Rookery End - End of Season Awards". If you've not heard them yet then you can by via iTUNES or on the PAST PODCAST section of this site.
When we interviewed Lloyd Doyley the other day we presented him with his certificate for The Champagne Moment of The Season for 'that goal' against QPR last December. He thanked us, signed it and lovingly gave it back as a competition prize for you to win.
So to win Lloyds certificate answer this question?
WHO WAS LLOYD DOYLEY'S FIRST FOOTBALLING HERO?
If the answer doesn't automatically come to mind (have you not read his autobiography "Doyley: Life Behind The Sting"?*) then you can hear it by listening to our interview with the Watford Defensive Rock in Podcast 2 - Listen via iTUNES and at the top of this page.
When you have your answer EMAIL it to us - podcast@fromtherookeryend.com. And make sure you read the Terms and conditions below.
- Jon
* = This book does not exists... yet!
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Terms and Conditions
- Competition closes on FRIDAY 27TH AUGUST at 12 NOON.
- The winner will be picked randomly from all correct answers
- Only entries received via email sent to podcast@fromtherookeryend.com will be included
- Please put Subject Title "LLOYD COMPETITION"
- You can enter the competition as many times as you like
Remember you can get these posts straight to your inbox by entering your email address in the "Subscribe by Email" box in the top right of this page. Or if you're really technical you can use this RSS code
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
After the Lloyd Mayor's Show...
It’s so often the case. After memorable highs, come instantly forgettable lows.
Producing a performance to follow the extraordinary scenes we witnessed at Vicarage Road on Monday night was always going to be difficult, but I suppose it is a measure of how far this squad of borrowed players, youngsters and journeymen have come under Malky Mackay that Saturday’s home defeat to Derby was as disappointing as it was unexpected.
It was a cold day, and the sticky looking pitch was never going to be conducive to free flowing football. Add into the mix Derby’s hard working, tough tackling game plan and an early Danny Graham miss from distance, and it quickly became apparent that it was going to be one of those days.
Credit to Derby. From the first whistle to the last they didn’t let Watford have any time on the ball, and the previously effective Cleverley and Cowie were shut down time and time again. Derby battled, tackled, huffed and puffed, and whilst they didn’t look like scoring, neither did we.
As the game wore on it occurred to me that Derby were doing to us what we have done to so many other teams in recent years, and why so many opposition fans had derided us and our tactics. Effective, most certainly. Enjoyable to watch? Even an episode of X-Factor would have provided a tempting alternative.
Watford didn’t play well, but we shouldn’t be too downhearted. This was a well organised Derby team, desperate for their first away win. As much as it pains me to say it, Robbie Savage was a picture of experience and know how – marshalling the game from seemingly the same spot on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes. Additional footballing know how and niggle came from Lee Hendrie and the much travelled Paul Dickov. Compare the careers of these guys to those of Lee Hodson, Liam Henderson and Ross Jenkins, and you get an idea of what we are up against in this division.
More often than not, our youngsters have proved up to the task this season, and it is for that reason that I doubt many Hornets fans will have trouble moving on quickly after Saturday’s 0-1 defeat. This Watford team has already given us much to cheer this season, and despite the increasing spectre of financial meltdown off the pitch, on the pitch has in the main (unexpectedly) been a joy to behold.
Speaking of which, I can’t close without mentioning last Monday night. 7 December 2009, or “Lloyd-D Day” as it shall now be known.
Since the news emerged that Adrian Mariappa and Lloyd Doyley had been locked in fierce competition to be the first to break their goalscoring duck, the attention of many Watford fans turned from the duos defensive performances to their chances of scoring at the other end. Aidy Mariappa comfortably beat Lloyd in their personal duel, but since then Watford fans have been collectively willing Doyley on, and this season the performances of the team had allowed him to creep ever closer to his first ever goal.
Well, against QPR, it finally arrived. Described by the Sky commentary as looking as if he had been “fired from a cannon” Lloyd Doyley met Don Cowie’s cross with a thundering header and for a couple of seconds everything stopped. The massed ranks of Hornets fans exchanged looks and cautious smiles, seeking confirmation that what they had just seen was real and not some bizarre optical illusion.
Realisation dawned and then – bedlam.
A celebration of joy, of togetherness. A celebration that will live long in the memory of all that were there, and one that reinforces the good feeling that is back at Vicarage Road. A feeling that we are all in this together and are once again pulling in the same direction. There was genuine affection towards “Lloydhino” from fans and players alike, and the noisy, joyous, quite frankly bonkers celebrations felt like a truly shared moment.
Such moments are infrequent in modern day football, and this was an occasion to savour. I am relieved, proud and delighted to be able to leave you with the refrain…”I was there when Doyley scored!”
Producing a performance to follow the extraordinary scenes we witnessed at Vicarage Road on Monday night was always going to be difficult, but I suppose it is a measure of how far this squad of borrowed players, youngsters and journeymen have come under Malky Mackay that Saturday’s home defeat to Derby was as disappointing as it was unexpected.
It was a cold day, and the sticky looking pitch was never going to be conducive to free flowing football. Add into the mix Derby’s hard working, tough tackling game plan and an early Danny Graham miss from distance, and it quickly became apparent that it was going to be one of those days.
Credit to Derby. From the first whistle to the last they didn’t let Watford have any time on the ball, and the previously effective Cleverley and Cowie were shut down time and time again. Derby battled, tackled, huffed and puffed, and whilst they didn’t look like scoring, neither did we.
As the game wore on it occurred to me that Derby were doing to us what we have done to so many other teams in recent years, and why so many opposition fans had derided us and our tactics. Effective, most certainly. Enjoyable to watch? Even an episode of X-Factor would have provided a tempting alternative.
Watford didn’t play well, but we shouldn’t be too downhearted. This was a well organised Derby team, desperate for their first away win. As much as it pains me to say it, Robbie Savage was a picture of experience and know how – marshalling the game from seemingly the same spot on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes. Additional footballing know how and niggle came from Lee Hendrie and the much travelled Paul Dickov. Compare the careers of these guys to those of Lee Hodson, Liam Henderson and Ross Jenkins, and you get an idea of what we are up against in this division.
More often than not, our youngsters have proved up to the task this season, and it is for that reason that I doubt many Hornets fans will have trouble moving on quickly after Saturday’s 0-1 defeat. This Watford team has already given us much to cheer this season, and despite the increasing spectre of financial meltdown off the pitch, on the pitch has in the main (unexpectedly) been a joy to behold.
Speaking of which, I can’t close without mentioning last Monday night. 7 December 2009, or “Lloyd-D Day” as it shall now be known.
Since the news emerged that Adrian Mariappa and Lloyd Doyley had been locked in fierce competition to be the first to break their goalscoring duck, the attention of many Watford fans turned from the duos defensive performances to their chances of scoring at the other end. Aidy Mariappa comfortably beat Lloyd in their personal duel, but since then Watford fans have been collectively willing Doyley on, and this season the performances of the team had allowed him to creep ever closer to his first ever goal.
Well, against QPR, it finally arrived. Described by the Sky commentary as looking as if he had been “fired from a cannon” Lloyd Doyley met Don Cowie’s cross with a thundering header and for a couple of seconds everything stopped. The massed ranks of Hornets fans exchanged looks and cautious smiles, seeking confirmation that what they had just seen was real and not some bizarre optical illusion.
Realisation dawned and then – bedlam.
A celebration of joy, of togetherness. A celebration that will live long in the memory of all that were there, and one that reinforces the good feeling that is back at Vicarage Road. A feeling that we are all in this together and are once again pulling in the same direction. There was genuine affection towards “Lloydhino” from fans and players alike, and the noisy, joyous, quite frankly bonkers celebrations felt like a truly shared moment.
Such moments are infrequent in modern day football, and this was an occasion to savour. I am relieved, proud and delighted to be able to leave you with the refrain…”I was there when Doyley scored!”
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