Aidy Boothroyd

Football player infobox
playername = Aidy Boothroyd


fullname = Adrian Neil Boothroyd
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1971|2|8|df=y
cityofbirth = Baildon, Bradford
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Watford
position = Defender (retired)
years = 1989–1990
1990–1992
1992–1993
1993–1996
1996–1998
clubs = Huddersfield Town
Bristol Rovers
Hearts
Mansfield Town
Peterborough United
Total
caps(goals) = 010 (0)
016 (0)
004 (0)
102 (3)
026 (1)
158 (4)
youthyears =
youthclubs =
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
manageryears = 2005–
managerclubs = Watford
managercaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 12/10/06
ntupdate =

Adrian Neil "Aidy" Boothroyd (born 8 February 1971 in Baildon, West Riding of Yorkshire) is an English former footballer and is the current manager of Watford of the Championship. He is the youngest manager in the division and also the second longest serving manager in the division.

Playing career

As a player Boothroyd was a lower division full back, who played for Huddersfield Town, Bristol Rovers, Hearts, Mansfield Town and Peterborough United. His playing career ended at the premature age of 26 due to injury.

Coaching career

After ending his playing career at Peterborough United, Boothroyd was appointed coach of the Under 17, Under 19 and reserve teams at the club. His tactical nous and drive impressed, and he left Peterborough in 2001 to join Norwich City as their Youth Team coach under Nigel Worthington. After two years at Carrow Road, Boothroyd assumed the positions of Youth Development Officer and Technical Director at West Bromwich Albion, joining in October 2003. [cite news
date=2004-10-28
url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~443856,00.html
title=Boothroyd becomes a Baggie
publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C.
accessdate=2007-08-24] A short spell at The Hawthorns ended when he was appointed first-team coach at Leeds United in July 2004, [cite news
url=http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~539381,00.html
title=Boothroyd set for Leeds role
publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C.
accessdate=2007-08-24] where he continued to build his reputation until he was appointed manager of Watford in March 2005 at the age of 34. [cite news
title=Watford appoint Boothroyd as boss
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/4389421.stm
publisher=BBC Sport
date=2005-03-29
accessdate=2007-11-02]

Many Watford fansWho|date=July 2007 were surprised at the decision of the board to appoint a relatively unknown manager, and manyWho|date=July 2007 voiced their concerns over the issue. They reasoned that whilst the club was in such a precarious league position in the Championship, it would have been more logical to approach a manager with experience at such a level. However, the board backed their decision and the club entered a new era under Boothroyd. He managed to steer the club clear of relegation, with 1–0 victories over Stoke City and Rotherham United.

At the beginning of the 2005–06 season, Boothroyd signalled his intentions by declaring that his aim for the forthcoming campaign would be promotion to the Premiership. ManyWho|date=July 2007 saw this strong ambition as unrealistic, yet they backed him to try and prove them wrong. As the season progressed, Boothroyd's side gained more and more confidence, and come the end of the season, had cemented a place in the play-offs. After overcoming Crystal Palace in the two-legged semi-final, Boothroyd's team came up against the club where he used to coach; Leeds United. Watford won 3–0 and claimed a place in the top league of English football. The rapid improvement in Watford's results in his first season in charge led to Boothroyd winning the Championship Manager of the Month in February 2006. [cite news
title=Boothroyd earns managerial honour
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/4766884.stm
publisher=BBC Sport
date=2006-03-02
accessdate=2007-11-02] Boothroyd continued as Watford manager for the duration of the 2006–07 Premier League season, but Watford finished 20th and were relegated. Nevertheless, Watford reached the FA Cup semi-finals, and Boothroyd was awarded a new three year contract. [cite news |title=Boothroyd signs new Watford deal
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6636441.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-05-08 |accessdate=2008-05-10]

A good start to the 2007–08 season saw Watford nine points clear at the top of the Championship after twelve games. [cite news |first=Richard |last=Jolly |title=Blackpool 1-1 Watford |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/04/blackpool.watford |publisher=The Guardian |date=2008-05-04 |accessdate=2008-05-10 ] The good form saw Boothroyd named Championship Manager of the Month for October 2007 after Watford maintained a 100% record. [cite news |title=Aidy named Manager of the Month |url=http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1157042,00.html |publisher=Watford F.C. |date=2007-11-01 |accessdate=2007-11-02] The good start could not be sustained and a poor run of form in second half of the season saw Boothroyd coming in for criticism from supporters for his team selections, direct style of play and dealings in the transfer market. [cite news |first=Kevin |last=Affleck |title=Aidy: I'm at my best right now |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2188781.mostcommented.aidy_im_at_my_best_right_now.php |publisher=Watford Observer |date=2008-04-11 |accessdate=2008-05-10 ] One win in thirteen going into the last game of the season saw Watford in danger of missing out altogether on a play off spot but a 1–1 draw against Blackpool was enough to secure sixth place on goal difference ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers. In their play-off semi-final against Hull City Watford lost 2–0 at Vicarage Road and 4–1 at the KC Stadium.

After missing out on an immediate return to Premiership, Boothroyd announced his intention re-build the side for next season, and also change the team's style of play. [cite news |title=The Times They Are A-Changin'
url=http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AidysAngle/0,,10400~1312773,00.html |publisher=Watford FC |date=2007-05-15 |accessdate=2008-05-31]

Managerial stats

"As of 31 July 2008" [ [http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=2002 Adrian Boothroyd's managerial career] soccerbase.com]

References

*cite web | title=Adrian Boothroyd | work=Flown From the Nest
url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/boothroyd.htm | accessmonthday=6 July | accessyear=2005

External links

*soccerbase (manager)|id=2002|name=Adrian Boothroyd

Persondata
NAME = Boothroyd, Aidy
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Football player and coach
DATE OF BIRTH = 8 February 1971
PLACE OF BIRTH = Baildon, Bradford, England
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =