Emley’s in-form striker George Doyle is currently a hot prospect in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. He’s the Pewits’ 11-goal top scorer and is showing a maturity beyond his years.
Doyle, 23, hails from Salendine Nook where he grew up and went to school. Even from a young age Doyle knew he wanted to be involved in sport. His journey into football would take him halfway across the globe and back again.
Having played junior football and represented his school team, it was while at Huddersfield New College Doyle was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime.
He said: “I’ve always been into football since I was a young lad. I support Town but also Liverpool because my dad always supported them.
“I went to Huddersfield New College where we had a really good side. I got chatting to one of the coaches at the college and he helped me search for some opportunities to play abroad. I went through an agency called ProSoccer and they found me a scholarship in America. I eventually went on to a scholarship in Kentucky. It was a good school I went to and I really enjoyed my time out there.
“I was still young and so I knew it would be a big challenge for me. However I soon settled in and found people I would be friends with, I got to know some of the other English lads well.
“I got to experience a different country by travelling to different states. It made me very independent as a person. The plan was to be out there for three years, but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan and so I only lasted a year.”
Doyle returned to England disappointed but not deterred from realising his football dream.
He said: “I spoke to Sam Sutton who had created an under 23 team at Emley. I knew Sam from before and so when I got into the team I knew I would flourish under him as he is a good coach.”
Having succeeded in the academy, it was soon time for Doyle to test himself at first team level. He was excited by the opportunity when it had arisen.
“I was buzzing when (manager) Richard Tracey rang me to say I was moving up to the first team,” he said. “Although I knew Sam was sad to lose me from his team he was delighted I got the chance to play at first team level.”
READ MORE: Emley AFC’s review of 2021
Doyle has so far scored 11 goals this campaign and he insists whilst he might be top scorer he really is a team player.
He said: “I never set a target on goals at the start of any season. However what I can say is that I’m proud to be the lad scoring the goals and to sit at the top of the charts is a great achievement. However it’s not all about me it’s about the team and we need to keep improving. Whether it’s me scoring or someone else, as long as the team keep winning that’s all that matters.”
Emley currently sit 17th in the league and have three homes games on the bounce in January. Doyle believes this is a big month for the club and a more successful second half of the season is on the horizon.
“Yes the first half of the season hasn’t gone as well as we wanted it to but I am sure we can have a good second half of the campaign. This team is very talented and I’m pleased to be playing my role within it. We just need to be more consistent in performances and then the results will come.
“This next month is huge and hopefully being at home gives us an advantage. This league is very hard and I’ve had to learn to play in various ways. I like the challenge of this division though. Hopefully we can win the next few games in front of our fans who have been great this season.”
Emley take on AFC Mansfield at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on Saturday January 8 (3.00)
