Withdean Wanderer
Banned
All you need is Loft?
And so it is with regret that we must bid farewell to an icon. A footballing legend who tripled the October revenue's for Cultzeros.co.uk single handedly. The new Maradona, as he was known by some. A hero in the eyes of many, this is such a sad day for the Albion.
It was the talentspotting genius of Mark McGhee and Dean White that picked up the young 20 year old, and with grace he strutted his stuff on the Withdean surface. Making his debut, he gave a footballing masterclass in the magnificent 0-0 draw against Preston, before a simply dazzling performance on his away debut, made quite appropriately at Loftus Road, the Loft.
Let us not forget, on the last day of Doug's debut season with us, he scored a rasping 20 yarder and threatened to inspire an Albion comeback in an unfortunate 5-1 defeat, earning the Man of the match award in the process.
In one of his first press conferences, Doug stated ""Anything I can do for the team and anyway I can get in I'll just give it my best shot." Any Brighton fan who saw him play will tell you that that attitude was apparent throughout not only his season, but also the rest of his Seagull career.
Mark McGhee soon departed, but even then Dean Wilkins was unable to keep Doug away from his first team squad. Doug completed a memorable rout of Leyton Orient, drilling in from the penalty box, as the Withdean faithful really began to make Doug feel one of their own.
The memorable 2007/08 FA Cup run owes much to Doug. For it was his stoppage-time thunderbolt at Whaddon Road that sent Seagulls fans into raptures and kept the dream alive. And his performance at Yeovil will surely never be forgotten by the lucky few that made the long journey to see the great man. They weren't disappointed.
Dean Wilkins too left, but not without having secured Doug's short term future with the Albion. However, now under-fire boss Micky Adams will surely risk the wrath of supporters with the decision to let Loft go out on loan to Dagenham. Even Andy Naylor can't defend that decision, after an outstanding individual performance against Manchester City and a cameo in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Doug, if you are reading, you and your "flair hair" will be missed. Good luck and God bless.
You deserve it.
Finally, I leave you with a single Gary Barlow Lyric.
Doug - I want you back, I want you back for good.
And so it is with regret that we must bid farewell to an icon. A footballing legend who tripled the October revenue's for Cultzeros.co.uk single handedly. The new Maradona, as he was known by some. A hero in the eyes of many, this is such a sad day for the Albion.
It was the talentspotting genius of Mark McGhee and Dean White that picked up the young 20 year old, and with grace he strutted his stuff on the Withdean surface. Making his debut, he gave a footballing masterclass in the magnificent 0-0 draw against Preston, before a simply dazzling performance on his away debut, made quite appropriately at Loftus Road, the Loft.
Let us not forget, on the last day of Doug's debut season with us, he scored a rasping 20 yarder and threatened to inspire an Albion comeback in an unfortunate 5-1 defeat, earning the Man of the match award in the process.
In one of his first press conferences, Doug stated ""Anything I can do for the team and anyway I can get in I'll just give it my best shot." Any Brighton fan who saw him play will tell you that that attitude was apparent throughout not only his season, but also the rest of his Seagull career.
Mark McGhee soon departed, but even then Dean Wilkins was unable to keep Doug away from his first team squad. Doug completed a memorable rout of Leyton Orient, drilling in from the penalty box, as the Withdean faithful really began to make Doug feel one of their own.
The memorable 2007/08 FA Cup run owes much to Doug. For it was his stoppage-time thunderbolt at Whaddon Road that sent Seagulls fans into raptures and kept the dream alive. And his performance at Yeovil will surely never be forgotten by the lucky few that made the long journey to see the great man. They weren't disappointed.
Dean Wilkins too left, but not without having secured Doug's short term future with the Albion. However, now under-fire boss Micky Adams will surely risk the wrath of supporters with the decision to let Loft go out on loan to Dagenham. Even Andy Naylor can't defend that decision, after an outstanding individual performance against Manchester City and a cameo in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Doug, if you are reading, you and your "flair hair" will be missed. Good luck and God bless.
You deserve it.
Finally, I leave you with a single Gary Barlow Lyric.
Doug - I want you back, I want you back for good.
