Members News: Reminder -‘Doyler’ Is Our Derby ‘Special’ Tonight At The CBS!
Michael Doyle in the Sky Blue
Just to remind you that our immensely popular former ‘skipper’ Michael Doyle is back at the CBS Arena tonight as our ‘special guest’ as the Sky Blues take on Derby County in a Championship fixture in front of SKY TV+ cameras! The Irish international has always been a player offering leadership, grit and determination at all his clubs which has brought him success not just with the Sky Blues in two spells (2003-11 & 2017-19) but subsequently at Leeds United, Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Notts. County. Prior to the Sky Blues ‘Doyler’ was a trainee with Celtic from 1998 and got games in a loan spell at Danish club Aarhus and will have plenty to talk about during his subsequent CCFC days of 373 games and 26 goals. After hanging up his boots in 2021 after nearly 850 professional games Michael turned to coaching with the Magpies, Forest Green Rovers, Pompey and since December 2023 has been ‘gaffer’ at Woking FC!
Doyler Wins At Wembley for Mark Robins
‘Doyler’ is certain to rceive a warm welcome from all Sky Blue fans who, like him, will be hoping to see complete a win treble against the Rams and a second successive home victory at the CBS after that stunning away win at Middlesbrough last Saturday.
No doubt, ‘Doyler’ will be his usual trenchant self during the evening as he makes his way ‘around the lounges’ with fellow CCFC defender and CCFPA member, now club host Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts. ‘Harry’ will also be hoping for a three point Birthday present from Mark Robins’ men. Michael may also visit some supporters boxes and meet up again with some of CCFC’s other Former Players (all CCFPA members) attending the game. These are expected to include:-
Carl Baker; Dave Bennett; Dietmar Bruck; Stuart Giddings; Marcus Hall; Peter Hormantschuk; Lee Hurst and Adam Walker
It may be that Michael will also go pitch-side at half-time for a chat where he would be certain to get a great reception from another bumper CBS Arena crowd. However this may not be possible as the club is treating the game as its annual Remembrance fixture commemorating all those who fell and suffered in the two World Wars and other conflicts. However, ‘Doyler’ will certainly be on stage in Lady Gs with Association chairman Billy Bell after the game to entertain fans with more craic and ending with the traditional mass rendition of the Sky Blue Song which hopefully will mark another Sky Blue win!
Oggy in the Press Box
Our member and club Legend Steve Ogrizovic will, no doubt, be doing his regular stint from the Press Box with the BBC CWR live match-day commentary team for those unable to join the likely bumper CBS crowd (the Rams have reportedly sold out their 3,000 tickets). Sky TV cameras will also be following the game as will a number of others from our Former Player membership!
Ex CCFPA Chairman (and club historian) Jim Brown and current committee member Mike Young will have ther usual contribution in the club’s excellent matchday magazine, PUSB
We look forward to seeing Michael back in Cov again and trust Mark Robins men will show the same qualities always exhibited by ‘Doyler’, a real winner, in his Sky Blue days!
C’mon You Sky Blues!
