Colin Doyle has announced on Twitter that he has been released by Bradford City and Bradford fans aren’t happy.
Just wanted to say a big thanks to all the Bradford fans for the fantastic support they have given me over the last 2 seasons. Unfortunately I have just found out from the Club that they have decided to go a different route. I loved playing in front of you every week. ☹️ #bcafc pic.twitter.com/FtxWtIlU30
— Colin Doyle (@ColinDoyle01) June 21, 2018
The Republic of Ireland international managed 88 appearances for Bradford City since joining them for £1 from Blackpool in 2016.
The goalkeeper had been offered a new deal at the end of last season with the Bantams but it’s reported that he was offered a lower wage than he had previously been on.
Doyle’s wife Rebecca tweeted this about how Bradford City dealt with the situation: “Gutted for my husband after seven weeks to find out like this, while we were away on holiday.”
The towering shot stopper started his professional career at Birmingham City in 2003 after coming through the club’s youth team and he went on to make 58 appearances for the club.
Having spent time out on loan with Chester, Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Coventry City, Doyle left Birmingham City in 2015.
In June 2015, he put pen to paper at Blackpool and captained the team for much of the 2015/2016 campaign, making 35 appearances and kept 11 clean sheets in the process for a side who eventually suffered a second successive relegation.
He will be a big miss for Bradford next season and it will be hard to replace Colin Doyle, a steady and experienced goalkeeper who commands his defence with confidence.
Here is how Bradford City fans reacted to the departure of Colin Doyle –
https://twitter.com/Jakedanashb/status/1009920018585407488
Doyle leaving has topped it off for me, 1. for the fact that he's a proper pro and he's going 2. The way they released the lad awful @officialbantams #bcafc
— Joe Briggs (@Briggs15Joe) June 21, 2018
Ffs, just when I thought we were getting somewhere with recruiting players we’ve not tied down one of the most important player’s in recent years, All the best @ColinDoyle01 #bcafc https://t.co/Yjye20YBiV
— Cal (@Cal_Grainger) June 21, 2018
Properly gutted @ColinDoyle01 is not returning, I dread to think of the situation we would have been in without him & where we could have been should he had a full season. All the best Doyley. A true professional and wish him all the best #bcafc https://t.co/8fE9gjyv5Y
— Ben🍊 (@Ben_leoabbott) June 21, 2018
Gutted. Very sorry to hear that Colin, shame to see you go, and I’m sure plenty of #bcafc fans will feel the same. Personally feel it’s a wrong decision but wish you the very best of luck. One of the best performers last season.
— Labeeb Aslam (@nottmbantam) June 21, 2018