Doug Loft

Doug Loft
Personal information
Full name Douglas James Loft[1]
Date of birth 25 December 1986 (1986-12-25) (age 25)[2]
Place of birth Maidstone, England[3]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Port Vale
Number 7
Youth career
2005–2006 Hastings United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2009 Brighton & Hove Albion 39 (2)
2009 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 11 (0)
2009– Port Vale 83 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 2 January 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

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.

Contents

Playing career

Loft, an England Schoolboy international, signed for Brighton & Hove Albion 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.[4][5] 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.[6]

Loft signed a new one-year contract with the "Seagulls" in June 2007,[7] 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.[8] He was rewarded with a new one-year deal in May 2008,[9] surviving something of a cull at the club.[10]

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.[11] After impressing in his loan spell,[12] 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.[13] He was, though, able to find another club rapidly, 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.[14][15] He missed the opening two weeks of the 2009–10 pre-season with illness,[16] though started to hit his best form after settling into the side.[17] 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.[18] After another battle with injury,[19] 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.[20] He ended the campaign as a semi-regular, not quite making the 40 game mark.

"Doug has got a bit of everything. He can get forward, he has a good range of passing with both feet, but it can take people time to settle."
—Brighton, then Vale manager Micky Adams assesses Loft's ability.[19]

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[21] was in fact a far more serious case of two broken ribs and a collapsed lung.[22] This kept him out of action for three weeks.[23] Vale's form suffered around the Christmas period, though Loft was a stand-out performer.[24] However a calf strain took him from full fitness back to the treatment room.[25][26] 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.[27] 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.[28] The next month he began contract talks on a new two year deal,[29] also picking up a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.[30] Nevertheless his performances over the season were enough to win him a new two year deal.[31]

He went on to double his 2010–11 goal tally within the opening four games of the 2011–12 season.[32] Micky Adams described his performance against Burton Albion as "outstanding".[33] His four goals in six games earned him a nomination for the League Two Player of the Month award for August,[34] though the award was instead given Dagenham & Redbridge defender Mark Arber.[35] 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".[36]

Style of play

Loft is a versatile player, and in November 2010 was described by Port Vale 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."[37]

He is able to play with both feet, and likes to attack from the central midfield position.[2]

Personal life

Loft attended St. Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone. As a boy, he attended Gillingham matches with his father.[38]

Statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2005–06[39] Brighton & Hove Albion Championship 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
2006–07[40] Brighton & Hove Albion League One 11 1 0 0 2 0 13 1
2007–08[41] Brighton & Hove Albion League One 13 0 3 1 0 0 17 1
2008–09[42] Brighton & Hove Albion League One 12 0 0 0 1 0 16 0
2008–09[42] Dagenham & Redbridge League Two 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2009–10[43] Port Vale League Two 32 3 2 0 3 0 37 3
2010–11[44] Port Vale League Two 29 1 3 0 1 0 34 1
2011–12[45] Port Vale League Two 22 4 1 0 1 1 24 5
Total England 133 10 9 1 8 1 155 12
Career total 133 10 9 1 8 1 155 12
Notes

References

  1. ^ "search births indexes 1837 - 2006". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/birth-indexes-search-start.action?redef=0. Retrieved 2 May 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c "Name: Doug Loft". port-vale.co.uk. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~36169,00.html. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  3. ^ Doug Loft career stats at Soccerbase
  4. ^ "Brighton 1-5 Stoke". BBC Sport. 30 April 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4933554.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  5. ^ Dudding, Tim (2006-04-30). "Brighton vs Stoke City". seagulls.co.uk. http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/MatchReportOld/0,,10433~29255,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  6. ^ "Albion boss explains early change". BBC Sport. 1 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/5396746.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  7. ^ "Kuipers seals new Brighton deal". BBC Sport. 11 June 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/6704073.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  8. ^ "Cheltenham 1-1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 10 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7076476.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  9. ^ "Loft signs new Brighton contract". BBC Sport. 5 June 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7438436.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  10. ^ "Ten let go in Seagulls clear-out". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7385730.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  11. ^ "Loft seals Dagenham loan switch". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/7865741.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  12. ^ "Still offers high praise for Loft". BBC Sport. 18 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/7896816.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  13. ^ "Fourteen let go in Brighton cull". BBC Sport. 12 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8046243.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  14. ^ "Vale sign ex-Seagulls midfielder". BBC Sport. 22 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8113110.stm. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  15. ^ "Breaking News: Port Vale complete Loft signing". The Sentinel. 22 June 2009. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Breaking-News-Port-Vale-complete-Loft-signing/article-1096404-detail/article.html. Retrieved 22 June 2009. 
  16. ^ "Loft edges closer to full fitness". BBC Sport. 27 July 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8167748.stm. Retrieved 27 July 2009. 
  17. ^ "Port Vale: Fit-again Loft now hitting the heights". The Sentinel. September 8, 2009. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Fit-Loft-hitting-heights/article-1321856-detail/article.html. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  18. ^ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm. Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  19. ^ a b Shaw, Steve (24 November 2009). "Port Vale: Fit again Loft back with a bang". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Fit-Loft-bang/article-1537534-detail/article.html. Retrieved 24 November 2009. 
  20. ^ "Port Vale 2 - 2 Torquay". BBC Sport. 23 November 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8364784.stm. Retrieved 24 November 2009. 
  21. ^ "Port Vale: Assistant Geoff Horsfield confident over duo's fitness". The Sentinel. 17 August 2010. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Horsfield-confident-duo-s-fitness/article-2532710-detail/article.html. Retrieved 20 August 2010. 
  22. ^ Shaw, Steve (20 August 2010). "Port Vale: Adams backs Loft to recover". http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Adams-backs-Loft-recover/article-2551960-detail/article.html. Retrieved 20 August 2010. 
  23. ^ "Port Vale's Doug Loft close to return from injury". BBC Sport. 13 September 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8991792.stm. Retrieved 13 September 2010. 
  24. ^ "Port Vale: Post-match stats for Vale's League Two defeat at Rotherham". The Sentinel. 3 January 2011. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Post-match-stats-Vale-s-League-defeat-Rotherham/article-3057637-detail/article.html. Retrieved 5 January 2011. 
  25. ^ "Double Injury Blow". port-vale.co.uk. 5 January 2011. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2259079,00.html. Retrieved 5 January 2011. 
  26. ^ Baggaley, Michael (6 January 2011). "Port Vale: Injury sidelines top scorer Richards for six weeks". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Injury-sidelines-scorer-Richards-weeks/article-3071320-detail/article.html. Retrieved 6 January 2011. 
  27. ^ "Port Vale midfielder Doug Loft aiming for run in team". BBC Sport. 1 February 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9383144.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  28. ^ "Port Vale's Doug Loft relieved to end goal drought". BBC Sport. 31 March 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9440625.stm. Retrieved 31 March 2011. 
  29. ^ Shaw, Steve (8 April 2011). "Port Vale: Trio offered chance to extend Vale Park stay". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Trio-offered-chance-extend-Vale-Park-stay/article-3426334-detail/article.html. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  30. ^ Shaw, Steve (14 April 2011). "Port Vale: Injured Loft out for rest of season". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Injured-Loft-rest-season/article-3448756-detail/article.html. Retrieved 14 April 2011. 
  31. ^ "Port Vale offer Micky Adams manager position". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9482906.stm. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  32. ^ "Port Vale: Loft looks to continue scoring spree". The Sentinel. 18 August 2011. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Loft-looks-continue-scoring-spree/story-13156127-detail/story.html. Retrieved 18 August 2011. 
  33. ^ "Port Vale boss Micky Adams hails goalscorer Doug Loft". BBC Sport. 17 August 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14558058.stm. Retrieved 18 August 2011. 
  34. ^ "Loft Nominated for Award". port-vale.co.uk. 6 September 2011. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2442334,00.html. Retrieved 7 September 2011. 
  35. ^ "Port Vale: Wing man Jarrett can help Vale soar, says Loft". The Sentinel. 10 September 2011. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Wing-man-Jarrett-help-Vale-soar-says/story-13304303-detail/story.html. Retrieved 10 September 2011. 
  36. ^ "Doug Loft enjoying best run in Port Vale team". BBC Sport. 3 November 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15561365.stm. Retrieved 3 November 2011. 
  37. ^ "Versatility will help Port Vale - Gareth Owen". BBC Sport. 4 November 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9155940.stm. Retrieved 4 November 2010. 
  38. ^ Shaw, Steve (16 October 2010). "Port Vale: Doft Loft targets injury-free spell to boost season". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Loft-targets-injury-free-spell/article-2765553-detail/article.html. Retrieved 16 October 2010. 
  39. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=135. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  40. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=136. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  41. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=137. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Doug Loft in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=138. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  43. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=139. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  44. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=140. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  45. ^ "Games played by Doug Loft in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=43414&season_id=141. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 

External links

Port Vale F.C. – current squad