Doug Loft
Encyclopedia
Douglas James "Doug" Loft (born 25 December 1986 in Maidstone
) is an English
footballer who plays for League Two
side Port Vale
as a midfielder
.
A non-league player at Hastings United
, he won a move to Championship
club Brighton & Hove Albion
in January 2006. He remained on the fringes of the first team in 2006–07 and 2007–08, before he was loaned out to Dagenham & Redbridge
in February 2009. He signed with Port Vale in June 2009, where he found regular first team football throughout 2009–10 and 2010–11.
in January 2006 from non-league side Hastings United
, where he was spotted by then scout Dean White
. After impressing then manager Mark McGhee
in a two week trial, he then signed an 18 month contract with the club. He made three appearances for the first-team in the 2005–06 season, making his debut on 11 March 2006 at home to Preston North End
. His first senior
goal came in his third appearance, against Stoke City
at Withdean
, in the last game of the season for the "Albion"; Loft came off the bench and scored Brighton's goal in the 5–1 reverse. At the end of the season Brighton were relegated out of Championship
and into League One
.
Loft made eight substitute and five starting appearances for the "Albion" in the 2006–07 season, scoring a goal in the 4–1 home victory over Leyton Orient
. None of these appearances were at his preferred position in central midfield. On the fringes of the first team, he was substituted after 31 minutes in a clash with Chesterfield
as a tactical move in Dean Wilkins
' first full game in charge.
Loft signed a new one-year contract with the "Seagulls" in June 2007, and made seventeen appearances in the 2007–08 season, scoring one goal. This goal was a dramatic last minute equaliser in an FA Cup
tie with Cheltenham Town
. He was rewarded with a new one-year deal in May 2008, surviving something of a cull at the club.
He made thirteen appearances during the 2008–09
season, including a memorable performance in the League Cup
victory over Manchester City
. In February 2009, Loft joined League Two
side Dagenham & Redbridge
on loan for the remainder of the season. After impressing in his loan spell, Loft was recalled by Brighton at the beginning of April 2009 to aid the club in their battle against relegation
.
In May 2009 Loft was informed that he would be leaving Brighton after the expiration of his contract the following month. Able to find another club proved rather simple as Loft quickly agreed a two-year contract with League Two
side Port Vale
, teaming up with former manager Micky Adams
and former teammate Tommy Fraser
. He missed the opening two weeks of the 2009–10
pre-season with illness, though started to hit his best form after settling into the side. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams
saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat. After another battle with injury, Loft returned to the first team with a "rasping half-volley into the top corner" in a 2–2 home draw with Torquay United
in November. He ended the campaign as a semi-regular, not quite making the 40 game mark.
Starting the 2010–11
in the first team, he lost his place in mid-August when it transpired that a suspected a minor knock of two bruised ribs was in fact a far more serious case of two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. This kept him out of action for three weeks. Vale's form suffered around the Christmas period, though Loft was a stand-out performer. However a calf strain took him from full fitness back to the treatment room. Upon recovering from his injury in February, he found himself aiming to impress new manager Jim Gannon
and win a new contract in the summer. On 29 March, his 'stunning 25 yard shot' past Lincoln City
earned him his first goal of the season, and also won the "Valiants" three vital points in the hunt for promotion. The next month he began contract talks on a new two year deal, also picking up a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Nevertheless his performances over the season were enough to win him a new two year deal.
He went on to double his 2010–11 goal tally within the opening four games of the 2011–12
season. Micky Adams described his performance against Burton Albion
as "outstanding". His four goals in six games earned him a nomination for the League Two Player of the Month award for August, though the award was instead given Dagenham & Redbridge
defender Mark Arber
. Loft explained the cause of his good form as "[being] given the licence to get on the ball a lot more and do what I want".
teammate Gareth Owen as "...one of the fittest at the club but he's got a lot of skill with it... I've been surprised by how strong he is. He's got a good footballing brain and I like having him outside me (at wing back) because he always wants the ball and I know he'll do his defensive duties as well."
He is able to play with both feet, and likes to attack from the central midfield position.
matches with his father.
|2005–06||Brighton & Hove Albion
||Championship
||3||1||0||0||0||0||3||1
|-
|2006–07||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||11||1||0||0||2||0||13||1
|-
|2007–08||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||13||0||3||1||0||0||17||1
|-
|2008–09||Brighton & Hove Albion
||League One
||12||0||0||0||1||0||16||0
|-
|2008–09||Dagenham & Redbridge
||League Two
||11||0||0||0||0||0||11||0
|-
|2009–10
||Port Vale
||League Two
||32||3||2||0||3||0||37||3
|-
|2010–11
||Port Vale
||League Two
||29||1||3||0||1||0||34||1
|-
|2011–12
||Port Vale
||League Two
||17||4||1||0||1||1||19||5
|-
128||10||9||1||8||1||150||12
128||10||9||1||8||1||150||12
Notes:
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
A non-league player at Hastings United
Hastings United F.C.
Hastings United is a semi-professional English football club who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association and the Hastings Football Association....
, he won a move to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
in January 2006. He remained on the fringes of the first team in 2006–07 and 2007–08, before he was loaned out to Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
in February 2009. He signed with Port Vale in June 2009, where he found regular first team football throughout 2009–10 and 2010–11.
Playing career
Loft, an England Schoolboy international, signed for Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
in January 2006 from non-league side Hastings United
Hastings United F.C.
Hastings United is a semi-professional English football club who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association and the Hastings Football Association....
, where he was spotted by then scout Dean White
Dean White (footballer)
Dean White is an English former professional association football player.-Playing career:His clubs included Millwall, and Gillingham, for whom he made over 100 Football League appearances.-Managerial career:...
. After impressing then manager Mark McGhee
Mark McGhee
Mark Edward McGhee is a former Scottish professional football player. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading...
in a two week trial, he then signed an 18 month contract with the club. He made three appearances for the first-team in the 2005–06 season, making his debut on 11 March 2006 at home to Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. His first senior
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
goal came in his third appearance, against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
at Withdean
Withdean Stadium
Withdean Stadium is an athletics stadium in Withdean, a suburb of Brighton. Between 1999 and 2011 it was the home ground of football team Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.....
, in the last game of the season for the "Albion"; Loft came off the bench and scored Brighton's goal in the 5–1 reverse. At the end of the season Brighton were relegated out of Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
and into League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Loft made eight substitute and five starting appearances for the "Albion" in the 2006–07 season, scoring a goal in the 4–1 home victory over Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. None of these appearances were at his preferred position in central midfield. On the fringes of the first team, he was substituted after 31 minutes in a clash with Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
as a tactical move in Dean Wilkins
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
' first full game in charge.
Loft signed a new one-year contract with the "Seagulls" in June 2007, and made seventeen appearances in the 2007–08 season, scoring one goal. This goal was a dramatic last minute equaliser in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie with Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. He was rewarded with a new one-year deal in May 2008, surviving something of a cull at the club.
He made thirteen appearances during the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, including a memorable performance in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
victory over Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. In February 2009, Loft joined League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
on loan for the remainder of the season. After impressing in his loan spell, Loft was recalled by Brighton at the beginning of April 2009 to aid the club in their battle against relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
.
In May 2009 Loft was informed that he would be leaving Brighton after the expiration of his contract the following month. Able to find another club proved rather simple as Loft quickly agreed a two-year contract with League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, teaming up with former manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
and former teammate Tommy Fraser
Tommy Fraser
Thomas Francis Peter "Tommy" Fraser is a professional footballer, who is without a club having departed Barnet in November 2011. A central midfielder, he can also play on the right wing....
. He missed the opening two weeks of the 2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
pre-season with illness, though started to hit his best form after settling into the side. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat. After another battle with injury, Loft returned to the first team with a "rasping half-volley into the top corner" in a 2–2 home draw with Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in November. He ended the campaign as a semi-regular, not quite making the 40 game mark.
Starting the 2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
in the first team, he lost his place in mid-August when it transpired that a suspected a minor knock of two bruised ribs was in fact a far more serious case of two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. This kept him out of action for three weeks. Vale's form suffered around the Christmas period, though Loft was a stand-out performer. However a calf strain took him from full fitness back to the treatment room. Upon recovering from his injury in February, he found himself aiming to impress new manager Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
and win a new contract in the summer. On 29 March, his 'stunning 25 yard shot' past Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
earned him his first goal of the season, and also won the "Valiants" three vital points in the hunt for promotion. The next month he began contract talks on a new two year deal, also picking up a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Nevertheless his performances over the season were enough to win him a new two year deal.
He went on to double his 2010–11 goal tally within the opening four games of the 2011–12
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
season. Micky Adams described his performance against Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
as "outstanding". His four goals in six games earned him a nomination for the League Two Player of the Month award for August, though the award was instead given Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
defender Mark Arber
Mark Arber
Mark Andrew Arber is a South African footballer, currently playing for Dagenham & Redbridge.He can play a natural central defender who can also easily fit into the left full back slot as well...
. Loft explained the cause of his good form as "[being] given the licence to get on the ball a lot more and do what I want".
Style of play
Loft is a versatile player, and in November 2010 was described by Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
teammate Gareth Owen as "...one of the fittest at the club but he's got a lot of skill with it... I've been surprised by how strong he is. He's got a good footballing brain and I like having him outside me (at wing back) because he always wants the ball and I know he'll do his defensive duties as well."
He is able to play with both feet, and likes to attack from the central midfield position.
Personal life
Loft attended St. Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone. As a boy, he attended GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
matches with his father.
Statistics
|-|2005–06||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
||3||1||0||0||0||0||3||1
|-
|2006–07||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||11||1||0||0||2||0||13||1
|-
|2007–08||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||13||0||3||1||0||0||17||1
|-
|2008–09||Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
||League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||12||0||0||0||1||0||16||0
|-
|2008–09||Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||11||0||0||0||0||0||11||0
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||32||3||2||0||3||0||37||3
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||29||1||3||0||1||0||34||1
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||17||4||1||0||1||1||19||5
|-
128||10||9||1||8||1||150||12
128||10||9||1||8||1||150||12
Notes:
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
results included in totals.
External links
- Profile at the official Port Vale site