Football: Quiet achiever set for pro debut

Tom Doyle. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tom Doyle finding his niche at left back as the Phoenix prepare to kick off season

Tom Doyle was the quiet achiever of the Wellington Phoenix's pre-season.

As the club touted the eventual signing of Michael McGlinchey and crowed about the recruitment of the well-schooled Roly Bonevacia, Doyle slowly chipped away.

Doyle was part of the club's school of excellence in 2012 but fell off the radar last year as he didn't push on from his days of captaining the Sacred Heart College first XI and making a handful of appearances for Auckland City as a teenager.

But his impressive displays for Team Wellington in last season's ASB Premiership and a good campaign for the Miramar Rangers in this year's Central League saw the 22-year-old given another chance.

He took it in the best possible way as he performed admirably against English Premier League clubs West Ham and Newcastle during July's Football United Tour.

The Phoenix struggled to find a reliable left back last season after the departure of long-time workhorse Tony Lochhead, which meant the versatile Doyle had the inside running and he was rewarded with a two-year contract in August.

Doyle's steady rise also included an international debut last month when he played for the All Whites in their 3-1 loss to Uzbekistan.

When the Phoenix open the A-League season against the Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tomorrow, Doyle will be in the starting side.

"My family's coming down to watch the game so that's a huge thing for me," Doyle said.

"My dad's always wanted to watch me play pro. I love making him proud, that's always a big deal for me but I feel part of the team now."

Feeling part of the team was a gradual process for Doyle, who said he felt slightly overwhelmed when he first looked around the dressing room at his new teammates.

"For me to be able to play with these kind of players, it's crazy," he said. "The step up, at first, was a big step up but now I've got a taste and I want to keep progressing my football and I feel comfortable playing with the boys now.

"I feel like I am where I am supposed to be and it's a level I am able to play at.

"I'm a lot more comfortable with where I am on the pitch and it's all about the team. All the boys are working for each other and I feel part of that and I feel like I can contribute to where we can go in the league."

Wellington need to improve their defensive record after they conceded 51 goals last season and having a regular left back who can perform at A-League level should help their cause.

Doyle has experienced players inside him, including veteran central defenders Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund, while goalkeeper Glen Moss also offers a steady hand.

"He's getting more and more comfortable," Durante said of Doyle. "He's starting to bark at me now when I give him orders, which is always a good sign that someone's confident and understands their role really well; I don't mind that."