Bradford City keeper Colin Doyle on playing for 20 years

The big Irishman, who turns 40 next summer, returns to his regular slot as the club’s EFL Trophy keeper for the final group game against Rotherham.

This month marks 20 years since Doyle’s debut – a clean sheet on loan for Chester against Rochdale in the same competition.

Doyle’s memory of that night is hazy but he can instantly recall the first goal he conceded in his career.

That came in the same season on a much grander stage against a proper household name.

Birmingham had sent the teenage keeper back out on loan to Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest – where he was thrown in the deep end in an FA Cup tie at Spurs.

“Funnily enough, I was talking to the gaffer about that on Saturday at the pre-match meal,” said Doyle.

“We were talking about yellow cards and a few lads having to be careful.

“I signed for Nottingham Forest as the back-up when they were in the Championship.

“Paul Gerrard was the number one and he ended up getting five bookings – which is really unusual for a keeper.

“He was suspended when we were supposed to play Sheffield United. But the game got called off, so it moved to the next one which was Tottenham Hotspur away in the FA Cup fifth round.”

It was some occasion in front of 35,000 fans at White Hart Lane for the 19-year-old rookie – whose big day was spoiled by Jermain Defoe.

There is no shame in conceding against a striker who is still in the top 10 all-time Premier League leading scorers. But Doyle admits he should have kept it out.

“It was a free-kick that I should have saved. It went through my hands.

“I was really nervous because they had some really good players – Defoe, Robbie Keane, Freddy Kanoute, Mido.

Colin Doyle will make his third appearance of the season (Image: Tom Pearson)

“I was annoyed about the free-kick but I actually played well apart from that, coming for crosses and taking the pressure off.

“We conceded first half and our manager Gary Megson said it would have been easy for a kid of 18-19 to crumble after their goal but I didn’t.

“Paul Robinson was at the other end and I ended up getting his jersey which he signed after the game. We ended up getting a 1-1 draw, so it was a nice start.”

Doyle is the only survivor still playing from that February 2005 encounter in his dual role as City’s goalkeeper coach and back-up to Sam Walker.

Tonight will be his third appearance of the season after the previous Trophy outings against Newcastle under-21s and Mansfield in September.

He added: “I wouldn’t say I feel 20 but in my mind I’m still young.

“I know I’ve gone over more to the coaching side and eventually your body does give up.

“But I’ve worked hard over the summer and I’ve probably kept a better shape than I was in at the back end of last year.

“I spoke to the gaffer at the time and he was happy for me to come back playing again.

“We obviously had a few trialist keepers in and I fully agreed with that.

“I’ve absolutely no problem if we want to go down that route and bring a few people in to have a look.

“But he’s said he’s only going to sign someone if he feels they are better than me and ready to play.

Losing in the semi-finals last season was tough to take for City (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“There’s no point in getting another keeper and not feeling comfortable chucking them in.

“I was fine with that but obviously we didn’t sign anyone so here we are again. The gaffer’s happy to leave it as it is.”

Doyle has set his sights on reaching 100 games in a City shirt. He will be three short after facing Rotherham.

“We get through this one and, all being well, the next couple of rounds – and I’d get to 100 if we made it to the quarter-finals.

“We’ll see. I’ll take it game by game and I’m just looking forward to playing again.

“I know people knock this competition at times but I think it’s good.

“For the under-21 teams, it gives the young lads the exposure of playing senior football and for the likes of lower clubs, it’s decent for the likes of those who have not been playing regularly on a Saturday.

“It gives them a chance to play and the manager can look at one or two if needed.”

City reached the semi-finals last season for the first time – only for Wycombe to break Valley Parade hearts with a deflected winner right at the end of a contest that the hosts had dominated.

Doyle said: “I’ve seen plenty of games when one teams batters the other with chance after chance after chance and it doesn’t go in.

“You just get that sense that it’s not going to come and then the other team scores. How many times have you seen that in football?

“I didn’t feel that on the night but looking back it was just one of those games.

“To lose to a deflected goal, it was just a cruel night. The performance we put in was one of the best of the season especially considering they were a league above as well.”

City have already seen off League One opposition with a handsome 3-0 win at Mansfield, whose keeper Scott Flinders was only a year younger than Doyle.

“It was a combined age of 77 in goal! I knew Scott from when he came in at Birmingham on trial and we had a joke about it afterwards.

Colin Doyle dives in the penalty shoot-out against Newcastle (Image: Tom Pearson)

“But it was nice to get the clean sheet and keep them ticking over. I’m moving up the club’s all-time leader board – I think I’m 14th now.

“I’m happy to keep playing as long as the body lets me. I think I’ll know when it’s time to stop.

“I’ll have the conversation with the club but the dual role has worked out well for the last two-and-a-half years.

“If the club turn round and say that’s it at the end of the season and they want to bring someone in, I’ll have no qualms about it.

“We did say we’d sit down again possibly a few months before the end and look at both sides.

“If the club want me to go again, I’m happy to do that. If the body’s creaking, then I’ll let them know.

“But I’m not thinking about that at the moment.”