Ahead of tonight's start to the new league season, Paul O'Hehir talks to a man hoping for a second crack at the big time by leading his team into Europe.
Back home by the shores he knows and loves, local lad Robbie Doyle begins his second spell with Bray with one eye on driving Wanderers into Europe and the other on securing another stint in England.
Kevin Doyle’s success at Reading - after leaving Cork City last season - is well documented and, indeed, was cemented by his recent Republic of Ireland debut. But, unlike the Wexford man, Robbie Doyle (23) had already tasted the English experience during his teenage years.
The adventure began in 1998 when the forward finished leading scorer for Brian Kerr’s under-16 side at the Nordic Cup in Iceland. Everton and Charlton made enquiries but Newcastle was Doyle’s preferred destination. However, his dreams were crushed when, on the day he was due to sign contracts, then manager Kenny Dalglish got the sack.
Despite that heartbreak a move to Blackburn Rovers quickly materialised and Doyle spent time cutting his teeth at Ewood Park, getting a feel for the professional lifestyle. But, after three enjoyable years, he felt opportunities were not materialising quickly enough and returned home.
"Even though it didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped I still gave it my best shot," says Doyle, who feels many Irish kids travel over too young.
"The lads in England now realise the league here has much more to offer than it once might have. It’s an improved all round package, on and off the pitch, and I honestly feel it’s in the best shape it has ever been in."
Doyle, via a brief spell with St Patrick’s Athletic, signed up with Pat Devlin’s Wanderers on his return from England but UCD soon came calling and the lure of first team football proved too enticing. It was at Belfield where he etched his mark on the league, so much so that he quickly got snapped up by Bohemians.
However, his relationship with then manager Stephen Kenny quickly soured and Doyle was left on the fringes. St Patrick’s Athletic came to his rescue and he rewarded manager Johnny McDonnell with seven goals last season, often though, from having to play in deep or wide roles.
"I do see myself as an out and out striker but at Pats I had to adapt to roles in which we were struggling. Be it in midfield or out on the wings I would fill a gap and I think I did the job. My best seasons, though, have been as a pure striker and that’s where I love playing, working hard trying to score goals."
But contract negotiations at Richmond Park dragged out and Doyle felt a move away would serve him better. Now, having signed a one-year-deal with Bray, he is excited at the prospect of playing alongside prolific scorer Eamon Zayed. "Please God things go well this year. I feel myself and Eamon can do some real special things together."
Indeed, ‘special things’ are what get players noticed and Doyle still hankers after a return to England. Fully aware that English scouts regularly take in Irish games, he views his current platform as a springboard to bigger things.
"Eamon (Zayed) and Wesley (Charles) got chances to go away last season and I still have that ambition myself," he says. "I want to play in the best leagues and try and prove myself .
"At the moment I’m a Bray player and my concentration is fully on them. I’m totally dedicated to Bray but if anything else was to come up then of course I’d have to look at it because in the back of your mind you do think of these things.
"The chances of getting into Europe and onto the big stage are greater now in Ireland and players are well aware of that. If you’re producing the goods anywhere, in any league, you’ll get noticed so it’s definitely something for me to consider."
The Wanderers faithful will hope the confident 23-year-old produces the goods tonight against league favourites Shelbourne. "It’s the start of a new season and anything can happen. We’ll be going out to compete with them and hopefully get a win. All teams are beatable."
