Lloyd Doyley becomes eighth Watford player to make 350 regular season league appearances in Crystal Palace draw

12:31pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in Latest Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

Lloyd Doyley challenges Yannick Bolasie in Friday night's draw against Crystal Palace. Picture: Action Images Lloyd Doyley challenges Yannick Bolasie in Friday night's draw against Crystal Palace. Picture: Action Images

Lloyd Doyley joined a very select Watford club on Friday night when he took to the field against Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road.

The defender made the 350th league appearance of his career in regular season games in the 2-2 draw, meaning he became just the eighth player to achieve that landmark in the club’s Southern League, Football League and Premier League history. However, once Doyley's play-off appearances are added, he now stands on 354.

There are not enough games remaining in the season for the 30-year-old to overtake the next player on the list, Johnny Williams, who made 374 league appearances from 1964 to 1975, by the end of the current campaign. But a look at club historian Trefor Jones’ website, www.watfordfcarchive.com, shows Doyley is now 50 appearances away from becoming the fifth Watford player to reach the 400-mark, alongside Luther Blissett (415), Duncan Welbourne, Nigel Gibbs (both 411) and Gary Porter (402).

One milestone that Doyley does have within his sights this season though, is his 400th league and cup appearance for the Hornets.

The London-born player is currently 11th on that list with 391, with legendary striker Ross Jenkins’ 398 his next target.

Comments(31)

bonserout says...
12:48pm Sun 10 Feb 13

There are very few managers that actually improve the performance of a player. Graham Taylor was one , but I think the transformation in lloyd this rear is nothing short of remakable. Well done LLoyd and GFZ.

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Hornets number 12 fan says...
1:33pm Sun 10 Feb 13

I did think LD would have trouble adapting to the New Watford Style of play but Ive been pleasantly surprised that he has become a far better player under Zola Well Done Lloyd,Gianfranco and the coaches.

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BigRussMalta says...
1:48pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Lloyds a legend at ours,an absolute pro in every department and a role model for every ypung footballer out there.respect ;-)

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Guy Bov says...
1:50pm Sun 10 Feb 13

A magnificent servant of the club. A truly honest pro who you can depend on to produce the goods time and time again. Well done Lloyd..... looking forward to seeing you on MOTD next season.

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Holly68 says...
2:06pm Sun 10 Feb 13

You"ll never beat Lloyd Doyley !

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Poppet Bear says...
2:56pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Well done LD. The true spirit of Watford.

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a1derek says...
4:07pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Lloyd Doyley - Watford hero, who would have thought!

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Hampshire hornet says...
4:36pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Been immense whenever the opportunity has arisen... Congrats Lloyd

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Hopemole says...
4:36pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Never been a fan of Lloyd"s, although always recognised he is an honest
Player who always gives of his best. This year I have seen his improvement and his good decision making-always doing the simple and sensibile things well. A message for all of us-it's never too old to learn and develop.

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mkhornet says...
5:07pm Sun 10 Feb 13

"We've got Lloydinho!"

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Mohandas says...
5:15pm Sun 10 Feb 13

BigRussMalta wrote:
Lloyds a legend at ours,an absolute pro in every department and a role model for every ypung footballer out there.respect ;-)
He is great Watford guy who does the business.

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lutondown says...
6:19pm Sun 10 Feb 13

bonserout wrote:
There are very few managers that actually improve the performance of a player. Graham Taylor was one , but I think the transformation in lloyd this rear is nothing short of remakable. Well done LLoyd and GFZ.
Got to agree. Have not always been his biggest fan, but seven ( is that right?) managers cannot be wrong.
Think he's got better under GFZ as well, Well done Lloyd credit to the game and club.

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Paul Gadd says...
6:22pm Sun 10 Feb 13

As Aidy once said...our black 'Zidane'
Well done lloyd....legend, mate

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Johnny Ryden says...
6:25pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Was it Malky McKay who remarked how many wingers get subbed playing against Lloyd? Bolaise another one on Friday!

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cannons tours says...
6:59pm Sun 10 Feb 13

a new manager comes in and thinks Lloyd is not up to the job but Lloyd being the star that he is always proves them wrong and ends up being a regular in the side go back with managers as far as you like and the point will be proved.Lloyd you are a Star keep it up and well done on 350 games.

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goldanboy says...
7:00pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Still lacks that composure at times but has the pace, commitment and no nonsense attitude that we need. Managers have seen this and it makes him invaluable. When everybody around you starts passing the ball to feet you have to as well and his passing this season has improved as well as his decision making. He had a torrid time about 4 years ago as I recall, but that was probably down to our style of play which was that the defenders had to 'wallop' the ball upfront when in possession. Well done Lloyd, you've been a great servant to our club.

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Sammy Chung says...
7:59pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Mr Reliable, prolific scorer, here's to the next 100 and the next GOAL !!

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stevyweavy says...
8:20pm Sun 10 Feb 13

This season you very rarely feel worried when he is near the ball and opposition do not like playing against him. Has the possibility and time to get to number one in appearances

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watford1881 says...
8:41pm Sun 10 Feb 13

He does the nitty horrible stuff which up until now has largely gone unnoticed throughout his time at the club.. Lloyd if fit should always be in the starting 11 for me.. He knows the Watford way.. He is true class & still improving too..... Get to the prem maybe England could be calling...... COYH........

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micksolly says...
8:49pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Johnny Ryden wrote:
Was it Malky McKay who remarked how many wingers get subbed playing against Lloyd? Bolaise another one on Friday!
He has proved them wrong time and time again, my son has met him and said he is a really nice genuine bloke, well thought of at the club. Well done Lloyd a Watford legend.

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lutondown says...
9:07pm Sun 10 Feb 13

watford1881 wrote:
He does the nitty horrible stuff which up until now has largely gone unnoticed throughout his time at the club.. Lloyd if fit should always be in the starting 11 for me.. He knows the Watford way.. He is true class & still improving too..... Get to the prem maybe England could be calling...... COYH........
What exactly is the Watford way?

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Hampshire hornet says...
9:29pm Sun 10 Feb 13

It's the A41 merging onto the A1 out of London

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stewbyhorn says...
9:35pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Lloyd is a real honest guy, he's adapted his style of play for 7 managers and has proved many people wrong, I've had the pleasure of meeting him on many occasions and he's always spent time with my boys and he's a real top bloke, here's to the next 100 games.

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palmeris60 says...
10:12pm Sun 10 Feb 13

391 appearances is correct but i'm pretty sure 354 are league appearances which means Lloyds 350 game was at Middlesbrough.

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rogeruk says...
10:32pm Sun 10 Feb 13

Lloyd sweats blood for Watford what more can you say? A true watford legend and a fabulous role model for all footballers at any level.

Congratulations Lloyd.

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northofwatfordpete says...
8:31am Mon 11 Feb 13

He is the one Watford player I could never see playing for another club.

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lutondown says...
8:35am Mon 11 Feb 13

Hampshire hornet wrote:
It's the A41 merging onto the A1 out of London
Thanks for clearing that up, thought for a minute it might of meant bunch of Moany fans with squeaky voices.

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gloryhornet4 says...
9:16am Mon 11 Feb 13

BigRussMalta wrote:
Lloyds a legend at ours,an absolute pro in every department and a role model for every ypung footballer out there.respect ;-)
Another one club man perhaps from youth to retirement, like Nigel Gibbs.

Like Nigel - get your coaching badges so you can stay in football.

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exeterhornet says...
10:14am Mon 11 Feb 13

Why is it that whenever I see or hear the words Lloyd Doyley, a smile breaks out on my face?
I think originally it was a sort of "Aaaaaaah, bless him" moment but now its based on the fact that he is the ultimate pro, who lacks the cynicism and arrogance of the modern game, who is devoted to our club and because he is a rarity in this day and age and that is he is a true gentleman. Without doubt, in decades to come he will be reveered amongst the all yime greats and favourites of our beloved club.

Lloyd, I salute you sir

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exeterhornet says...
10:21am Mon 11 Feb 13

Sorry, my fingers are too fat - I keep hitting the y instead of the t. I meant of course "all time greats"

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Stoney77 says...
11:21am Mon 11 Feb 13

Modern day WFC legend. Hope he makes it to 500.

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