So, Colin Doyle is hanging up his gloves, but what's the story?

Alright, so if you're a fan of the Bantams, you’ve probably heard the big news. Colin Doyle, a proper club legend, has announced his retirement from playing professional football. It’s always a bit sad when a great player decides to call it a day, isn't it? It feels like the end of an era. But hold on, because this isn't a goodbye story.

Not really. It’s more of a ‘see you on the training ground’ kind of thing. After an absolutely brilliant career that took him from Birmingham to Wembley and even saw him represent his country, the 40-year-old is ready for his next chapter. And the best part? He’s staying right here with Bradford City AFC.

He's not actually going anywhere

Let's get this straight. While Colin Doyle’s playing days are over, his journey with Bradford City AFC is far from finished. Since rejoining the club back in 2022, he’s already been pulling double duty as the goalkeeping coach. Now, he’s just making it his full-time gig. Think about it. Who better to train the next generation of keepers than a guy who’s seen and done it all? He’s got so much experience and knowledge to pass on.

It’s a massive win for the club. We get to keep a brilliant footballing mind, and the younger keepers get a mentor who knows exactly what it takes to succeed. This isn’t just any retirement; it’s a smart move that keeps a legend in the building. He’ll be there every day, sharing his wisdom, his stories, and probably a few tough training drills. The future of our goalkeeping is in very, very safe hands.

A look back at a brilliant career

You can’t talk about Colin Doyle’s retirement without looking back at his incredible career. It’s been a long and successful road. He first signed for the Bantams back in 2016 and quickly became a fan favourite. Who could forget that amazing 2016/17 season that took us all the way to a League One Play-Off Final at Wembley? Those are the kinds of memories that stick with you forever.

And his stats for us? Pretty impressive. He made 98 appearances for Bradford City AFC and managed 32 shutouts. For anyone new to football, a ‘shutout’ (or a clean sheet) is when a goalkeeper doesn't let the other team score a single goal. Getting 32 of them is a big deal. But his success wasn't just here. His career was packed with amazing achievements:

• Four Promotions: Can you imagine the feeling of helping your team get promoted? He did it four times! Twice to the super-competitive Premier League with Birmingham City, once with Scottish club Kilmarnock, and most recently, with us, the Bantams.
• League Cup Winner: Back in 2011, while at Birmingham, he was part of the squad that won the League Cup. A major trophy.
• International Star: He even played for his country, the Republic of Ireland, earning four caps. Playing for your country is one of the biggest honours in football.

Throughout his career, he played for other great clubs too, including Hearts and Blackpool. He played a massive 252 games in total, with 75 shutouts. That’s a lot of saves and a lot of happy defenders. What a career to look back on!

In his own words

It’s one thing for us to talk about his career, but it’s another to hear it from the man himself. Doyle sounds like he’s really at peace with his decision, and he’s excited for what’s next. You can tell he’s proud of what he’s done.

He said: “I am proud of what I have achieved in my career. The time is probably right to retire, with Sam re-signing and bringing Joe in to pre-empt this moment, Zac is improving too, so I feel it is the correct decision. Hopefully, I can pass on a bit of knowledge along the way.”

And he’s got a sense of humour about it all, which is brilliant.

“I turned 40 in the summer, I have had a good crack at it! I have no regrets with my career, the bones are creaking but I’ll keep ticking over, I need to ‘serve’ the ‘keepers so I’ll make sure I can do my job.”

What really comes through is how much it all means to him, from the big wins to his family life. He’s never forgotten where he came from.

“Having multiple promotions and playing for my country, it makes me proud. Four caps for Ireland is an honour. It was difficult for my parents, letting me go to Birmingham on my own at 16. I met my wife and have three wonderful children who have kept me grounded and have been with me for the whole lot. It is a career I have enjoyed and will look back on with fond memories.”

It really shows you the person behind the player. He gives a lot of credit to his parents for their sacrifice and his family for their support through his entire football journey. It’s clear that his memories aren't just about football, but about the life he's built.

A final word (and a thank you)

So, the gloves are off, but the tracksuit is on. Colin Doyle’s playing retirement is the end of one story but the beginning of a new one as our full-time goalkeeping coach. He’s already passing on his knowledge and helping shape the club's future.

It’s also important to give a shout-out to those who support players behind the scenes. Bradford City AFC made sure to thank Keybury Fire & Security for their sponsorship of Colin. This kind of sponsorship is a massive help for clubs and players.

From all of us, congratulations on an outstanding career, Colin. Thanks for all the incredible saves, the trip to Wembley, the leadership, and all the memories. We can’t wait to see what you do next. The future is bright at Bradford City AFC.