Doug Loft
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Doug Loft
|image = Doug Loft.png
|image_size = 150
|caption = Loft playing for Port Vale in April 2013
|fullname = Douglas James Loft{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 |year=2008 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-324-8}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|25|df=y}}{{soccerbase|43414|name=Doug Loft}}
|birth_place = Maidstone, England
|height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub =
|years1 = {{0|0000}}–2006
|clubs1 = Hastings United
|caps1 =
|goals1 =
|years2 = 2006–2009
|clubs2 = Brighton & Hove Albion
|caps2 = 39
|goals2 = 2
|years3 = 2009
|clubs3 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
|caps3 = 11
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2009–2014
|clubs4 = Port Vale
|caps4 = 174
|goals4 = 18
|years5 = 2014–2016
|clubs5 = Gillingham
|caps5 = 62
|goals5 = 5
|years6 = 2016–2018
|clubs6 = Colchester United
|caps6 = 20
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2018–2019
|clubs7 = Shrewsbury Town
|caps7 = 1
|goals7 = 0
|clubs8 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
|years8 = 2019
|caps8 = 12
|goals8 = 0
|clubs9 = Billericay Town
|years9 = 2019–2021
|caps9 = 28
|goals9 = 2
|years10 = 2021
|clubs10 = Margate
|caps10 = 0
|goals10 = 0
|clubs11 = Tonbridge Angels
|years11 = 2021–2023
|caps11 = 27
|goals11 = 1
|totalcaps = 374
|totalgoals = 28
}}
Douglas James Loft (born 25 December 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made 430 league and cup appearances in an 18-year career, scoring 32 goals.
A non-League player at Hastings United, Loft moved to Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2006. He remained on the fringes of the first team throughout his stay and was loaned out to Dagenham & Redbridge in February 2009. He signed with Port Vale in June 2009, where he found regular first-team football. Voted as the club's Player of the Year in 2012, Loft helped the club secure promotion to League One the following season. He signed for Gillingham in June 2014 before moving to Colchester United in July 2016. He signed with Shrewsbury Town in July 2018 and in January 2019 rejoined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan. He signed with non-League side Billericay Town in July 2019 and moved to Tonbridge Angels in June 2021.
Career
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
Born in Maidstone, former England Schoolboy international Loft was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion from non-League side Hastings United in January 2006.{{cite news |last=Marston |first=Carl |date=4 July 2016 |title=The big interview: Colchester United's Doug Loft |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/the_big_interview_colchester_united_s_doug_loft_1_4602257 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=28 August 2016 }} He made his professional debut for Mark McGhee's side as a 90th-minute substitute in Brighton's 0–0 draw with Preston North End on 11 March 2006.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4773708.stm |title=Brighton 0–0 Preston |date=11 March 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=28 August 2016 }} In only his third game, Loft scored his first goal, a consolation in Brighton's 5–1 home defeat by Stoke City on 30 April 2006.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4933554.stm |title=Brighton 1–5 Stoke |date=30 April 2006 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }}
Loft made 13 league and cup appearances for Brighton during his first full season with the club, scoring one goal. He agreed a new one-year deal at the end of the 2006–07 campaign.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/6704073.stm |title=Kuipers seals new Brighton deal |date=11 June 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }} He made 17 appearances in all competitions during the 2007–08 season, scoring one goal in the FA Cup. He was awarded a new one-year contract in June 2008.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7438436.stm |title=Loft signs new Brighton contract |date=5 June 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }}
In the 2008–09 season, Loft had made nine appearances for Brighton before joining League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge in February 2009 on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/7865741.stm |title=Loft seals Dagenham loan switch |date=2 February 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }} After impressing in his loan spell,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/7896816.stm |title=Still offers high praise for Loft |date=18 February 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }} and after making ten appearances for the Daggers, Brighton manager Russell Slade recalled Loft.{{cite news |date=14 May 2009 |title=Daggers after a Loft conversion? |url=http://www.whtimes.co.uk/sport/football/daggers_after_a_loft_conversion_1_564891 |newspaper=Welwyn Hatfield Times |location=Welwyn Garden City |access-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917101942/http://www.whtimes.co.uk/sport/football/daggers_after_a_loft_conversion_1_564891# |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} He returned to Brighton to make seven further appearances before the end of the campaign.
=Port Vale=
In May 2009, Loft was one of 14 players who left Brighton following the expiry of their contracts.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/8046243.stm |title=Fourteen let go in Brighton cull |date=12 May 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 June 2009 }} He signed for Port Vale on a two-year contract in June 2009, teaming up with former Brighton manager Micky Adams.{{cite news |date=22 June 2009 |title=Breaking News: Port Vale complete Loft signing |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/breaking-news-port-vale-complete-loft-signing/story-12498436-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=22 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610232640/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Breaking-News-Port-Vale-complete-Loft-signing/story-12498436-detail/story.html |archive-date=10 June 2015 |df=dmy-all }} He missed the opening two weeks of the 2009–10 pre-season with illness,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8167748.stm |title=Loft edges closer to full fitness |date=27 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 July 2009 }} though started to find his best form after settling in to the side.{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Steve |date=9 September 2009 |title=Port Vale: Fit-again Loft now hitting the heights |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-fit-loft-hitting-heights/story-12545378-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=9 September 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm |title=Adams puts Vale squad up for sale |date=27 September 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 September 2009 }} After calf and heel injuries kept Loft out of contention,{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Steve |date=24 November 2009 |title=Port Vale: Fit again Loft back with a bang |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-fit-loft-bang/story-12505093-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=24 November 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} he returned to the first-team with a "rasping half-volley" in a 2–2 home draw with Torquay United on 23 November.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8364784.stm |title=Port Vale 2–2 Torquay |date=23 November 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2009 }} He ended the season with three goals and 37 appearances in all competitions.
At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Loft was out of the first-team with suspected bruised ribs.{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Steve |date=17 August 2010 |title=Port Vale: Assistant Geoff Horsfield confident over duo's fitness |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-horsfield-confident-duo-s-fitness/story-12516414-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=20 August 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His ribs eventually transpired to be broken, and he had also suffered a collapsed lung,{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Steve |date=20 August 2010 |title=Port Vale: Adams backs Loft to recover |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-adams-backs-loft-recover/story-12502111-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=20 August 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} keeping him out of action for three weeks.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8991792.stm |title=Port Vale's Doug Loft close to return from injury |date=13 September 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 September 2010 }} Despite a tore calf and a hamstring injury keeping him out of action for portions of the second half of the campaign,{{cite news |date=6 January 2011 |title=Port Vale: Injury sidelines top scorer Richards for six weeks |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-injury-sidelines-scorer-richards-weeks/story-12558564-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=6 January 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |date=14 April 2011 |title=Port Vale: Injured Loft out for rest of season |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-injured-loft-rest-season/story-12536399-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=14 April 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Loft was awarded a new two-year deal in May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9482906.stm |title=Port Vale offer Micky Adams manager position |date=11 May 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 May 2011 }}
Loft began the 2011–12 season with four goals in six games which earned him a nomination for League Two Player of the Month for August, which he missed out on to Dagenham & Redbridge's Mark Arber.{{cite news |date=10 September 2011 |title=Port Vale: Wing man Jarrett can help Vale soar, says Loft |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-wing-man-jarrett-help-vale-soar-says/story-13304303-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=10 September 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After a successful campaign which returned five goals in 46 appearances, Loft was voted as the club's Player of the Year, while also picking up the Away Travel Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Season awards.{{cite news |date=2 May 2012 |title=Port Vale: Loft grateful for award success |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-loft-grateful-award-success/story-15979421-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=2 May 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Loft was appointed club captain in July 2012 following the departure of Marc Richards.{{cite news |date=27 July 2012 |title=Port Vale: Doug Loft named as new Valiants captain |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-doug-loft-named-new-valiants-captain/story-16603662-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=27 July 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He scored his only goal of the season with a {{convert|25|yd}} drive in Vale's 2–1 defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on 2 March 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21557091 |title=Oxford United 2–1 Port Vale |date=2 March 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2013 }} Three days later, he received a red card for violent conduct in a goalless home draw with Bradford City.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21583858 |title=Port Vale 0–0 Bradford |date=5 March 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 March 2013 }} Loft featured for Vale 36 times, as the club went on to achieve promotion to League One with a third-place finish. He signed a new one-year contract in the summer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23179989 |title=Port Vale: Skipper Doug Loft signs new one-year contract |date=4 July 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 July 2013 }}
During the 2013–14 season, Loft had been a regular fixture in the first-team, scoring nine goals in 43 league and cup appearances, until April 2014, when an alleged training ground altercation between Loft and teammate Daniel Jones left Loft out of action for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=Injured Doug Loft is ruled out for Port Vale as club refuse to comment on reports of altercation with Daniel Jones |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/injured-doug-loft-ruled-port-vale-club-refuse/story-20949881-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=12 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413133736/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Injured-Doug-Loft-ruled-Port-Vale-club-refuse/story-20949881-detail/story.html# |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Manager Micky Adams stressed that Loft was the innocent party in the confrontation that left Loft with a broken cheekbone and Jones was sacked following a club investigation.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27021805 |title=Port Vale: Daniel Jones sacked over Doug Loft 'facial injury' |date=14 April 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 April 2014 }} He was voted onto Port Vale's team of the 2010s by readers of The Sentinel, alongside Anthony Griffith, in February 2020.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Results revealed for central midfielders in Port Vale team of the Decade |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/results-revealed-central-midfielders-port-3815102 |access-date=5 February 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=5 February 2020}}
=Gillingham=
In June 2014, Loft turned down a new deal to remain with Port Vale, instead choosing to sign for Gillingham on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27782160 |title=Doug Loft: Gillingham sign Port Vale midfielder |date=10 June 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=10 June 2014 }} He chose to sign for Gillingham in order to return to his home county of Kent with his young family.{{cite news |date=11 June 2014 |title=Port Vale: Skipper Doug Loft sad to leave, but ends his spell at Vale Park for family reasons |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/s-blast/story-21214385-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505004012/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/S-BLAST/story-21214385-detail/story.html# |archive-date=5 May 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} He was made club captain,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36256739 |title=Gillingham: Captain Doug Loft among four released by League One club |date=10 May 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=10 May 2016 }} and made his club debut on 9 August 2014 in a 4–2 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28646630 |title=Milton Keynes Dons 4–2 Gillingham |date=9 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2016 }} He was sent off in a 3–0 League One defeat to Scunthorpe United in October 2014,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29486369 |title=Gillingham 0–3 Scunthorpe United |date=11 October 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 August 2016 }} before scoring his first goal for the club in a Football League Trophy win over Crawley Town on 11 November.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/crawley-vs-gillingham/327958 |title=Crawley Town 1 Gillingham 2 |date=12 November 2014 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=29 August 2016 }} He ended the season with two goals in 42 appearances.
Loft spent much of the 2015–16 season plagued by injury, missing much of pre-season and the early stages,{{cite web |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gills-wait-on-key-duo-41249 |title=Cody McDonald and Doug Loft have both missed a large chunk of pre-season through injury |last=Cawdell |first=Luke |date=7 August 2015 |publisher=KentOnline |access-date=29 August 2016 }} and suffering an Achilles injury which restricted his number of games to just four between mid-February and May 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/injury-concern-for-gills-skipper-92585/ |title=Gillingham captain Doug Loft and defender Adam El-Abd suffer injuries in win over Crewe Alexandra |last=Cawdell |first=Luke |date=12 March 2016 |publisher=KentOnline |access-date=29 August 2016 }} He scored four goals in 28 games, and was released by the club at the end of the season.
=Colchester United=
In July 2016, Loft signed a two-year contract with League Two side Colchester United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36683998 |title=Doug Loft: Colchester United sign former Gillingham captain |date=1 July 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=1 July 2016 }} He made his debut for the club in the EFL Cup during Colchester's 4–0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36948859 |title=Brighton & Hove Albion 4–0 Colchester United |date=9 August 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 August 2016 }} His problematic hamstring and Achilles injuries recurred in late August 2016, keeping him out of first-team action.{{cite news |last=Waldron |first=Jonathan |date=31 August 2016 |title=Colchester United head coach John McGreal would like to strengthen his squad ahead of this evening's transfer window deadline |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/14714224.U_s_hopeful_of_signings_amid_injury_concerns/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=31 August 2016 }} It was reported on 9 September that Loft would remain out of action for two to three months.{{cite news |last=Marston |first=Carl |date=9 September 2016 |title=Colchester United's Doug Loft ruled out for three months |url=http://www.greenun24.co.uk/colchester-united/colchester_united_s_doug_loft_ruled_out_for_three_months_1_4690331? |newspaper=Green'Un |location=Ipswich |access-date=9 September 2016 }} He finally made a return to competitive action as a late substitute in Colchester's 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers on 14 April 2017,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39523399 |title=Colchester United 1–1 Doncaster Rovers |date=14 April 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 April 2017 }} completing the season with nine first-team appearances to his name.{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2016|access-date=7 May 2017}} He was struck down by a shoulder injury after a bad fall in November 2017.{{cite news|last1=Waldron|first1=Jonathan|title=Loft ruled out for up to a month with shoulder injury|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/15680002.Loft_ruled_out_for_up_to_a_month_with_shoulder_injury/|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Gazette|date=23 November 2017|language=en}} He was released by Colchester at the end of the 2017–18 season after manager John McGreal admitted that "we only ever saw glimpses of him because of his injury problems and it just hasn't worked out for him here".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44043225|title=Colchester United: Doug Loft among four players leaving club|date=8 May 2018|access-date=9 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=Shrewsbury Town=
On 21 July 2018, Loft signed a one-year deal with Shrewsbury Town after impressing manager John Askey on a trial basis in pre-season friendlies.{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2018/07/21/shrewsbury-sign-midfielder-doug-loft/|title=Shrewsbury sign midfielder Doug Loft|date=21 July 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|publisher=Shropshire Star}} However, he failed to break into the "Shrews" first-team, playing just 66 minutes of League One football at the New Meadow.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lewis |title=Shrewsbury loan Doug Loft to Dagenham & Redbridge |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/01/21/shrewsbury-loan-doug-loft-to-dagenham-redbridge/ |access-date=22 January 2019 |work=Shropshire Star |date=21 January 2019 |language=en}} He appeared more frequently in the EFL Trophy and scored his only goal for the club in that competition against Walsall.{{cite news
|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2018/december/match-report-for-shrewsbury-town-vs-walsall-on-05-dec-18/
|title=Shrewsbury 2-1 Walsall
|publisher=saddlers.co.uk
|date=5 December 2018 |access-date=28 September 2021}} On 21 January 2019, he returned to Dagenham & Redbridge, who were now playing in the National League, on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news |title=Midfielder Doug Loft joins Daggers for a second loan spell - Time 107.5 fm Time 107.5 fm |url=https://www.time1075.net/143309-2-football-daggers-loft-loan/ |access-date=22 January 2019 |work=www.time1075.net |date=21 January 2019}} Manager Peter Taylor said that "he is a very experienced midfield player that I felt we needed".{{cite news |last1=Ranson |first1=Jacob |title=Daggers sign Shrewsbury Town midfielder Loft on loan |url=https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/daggers-sign-loft-on-loan-1-5859973 |access-date=22 January 2019 |work=Barking and Dagenham Post |date=21 January 2019 |language=en}} He was released by Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts in May 2019.{{cite news |title=Town Announce Retain List |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2019/may/town-announce-retain-list/ |access-date=29 May 2019 |work=www.shrewsburytown.com |date=8 May 2019 |language=en-gb}}
=Later career=
On 17 July 2019, Loft joined National League South club Billericay Town.{{cite news |last1=Rust |first1=Danny |title=Billericay Town boss Harry Wheeler delighted with triple signing |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/17774401.billericay-town-boss-harry-wheeler-delighted-triple-signing/ |access-date=19 July 2019 |work=Echo |date=17 July 2019 |language=en}} He scored two goals in 24 appearances in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Billericay in 18th-place.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |newspaper=BBC Sport |access-date=22 March 2020}} He played eight games in the 2020–21 season, which was also curtailed early due to the pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-outcome-of-written-resol-65151|title=National League Statement {{!}} Outcome Of Written Resolutions|last=Osborn|first=Oliver|website=Vanarama National League|date=18 February 2021|access-date=18 February 2021}}
On 3 June 2021, Loft joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Margate; manager Jay Saunders described him as a "key signing".{{cite news |last1=Townsend |first1=Ian |title=Gate bring in former Seagulls, Vale and Gills midfielder - The Pitching In Isthmian Football League |url=https://www.isthmian.co.uk/gate-bring-in-former-seagulls-vale-and-gills-midfi-66126 |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=www.isthmian.co.uk |date=3 June 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Loft Added To Gate Squad |url=http://www.margate-fc.co.uk/news/02-Jun-2021/Loft-Added-To-Gate-Squad |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=www.margate-fc.co.uk |date=3 June 2021 |language=en}} However, eight days later he was revealed as a Tonbridge Angels signing after he walked out on Margate to remain in the National League South with Tonbridge.{{cite news |last1=Panting |first1=Matthew |title=Loft switches to another Kent club |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/sport/loft-switches-to-another-kent-club-248833/ |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=Kent Online |date=2021-06-11 |language=en}} He played 27 games in the 2021–22 season and was retained in the summer.{{cite news |last1=Panting |first1=Matthew |title=Saunders busy shaping Tonbridge squad |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/sport/saunders-busy-shaping-tonbridge-squad-267156/ |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=Kent Online |date=14 May 2022 |language=en}} However, he played just one game of the 2022–23 campaign before suffering a season-ending ruptured Achilles injury at the end of August.{{cite news |last1=Tucker |first1=Chris |title=Lofty ambitions |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/sport/lofty-ambitions-279823/ |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Kent Online |date=5 January 2023 |language=en}}
Style of play
Loft was a versatile midfield player, and in November 2010, was described by Port Vale teammate Gareth Owen as "...one of the fittest at the club, but he's got a lot of skill with it... I've been surprised by how strong he is. He's got a good footballing brain and I like having him outside me (at wing-back) because he always wants the ball and I know he'll do his defensive duties as well.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9155940.stm |title=Versatility will help Port Vale — Gareth Owen |date=4 November 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 November 2010 }} He could play in other positions, and received praise for his performances at left-back and his "excellent attitude" from Port Vale manager Micky Adams.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16756815 |title=Port Vale midfielder Doug Loft happy in left-back role |date=27 January 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 January 2012 }}
Personal life
Growing up in Maidstone, as a boy, Loft attended Gillingham matches with his father.{{cite news |date=16 October 2010 |title=Port Vale: Doft Loft targets injury-free spell to boost season |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-loft-targets-injury-free-spell/story-12566550-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=16 October 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His wife, Laura, gave birth to their first child, a daughter, in 2011.{{cite news |date=2 May 2012 |title=Port Vale: Awards success is all relative for family man Loft |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-awards-success-relative-family-man-loft/story-15979526-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke on Trent |access-date=2 May 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Career statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=5|Brighton & Hove Albion
|2005–06{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2005|access-date=1 January 2017}} |3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2006–07{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2006|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2007–08{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2007|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League One |13 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2008–09{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2008|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League One |12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!39 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 3 | |
| Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
|11 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 11 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan=6|Port Vale
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2009|access-date=1 January 2017}} |League Two |32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2010–11{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2010|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2011–12{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2011|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |44 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2012–13{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2012|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2013–14{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2013|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League One |37 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 43 | 9 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!174 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 196 | 19 | |
| rowspan=3|Gillingham
|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2014|access-date=1 January 2017}} |League One |36 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=FLT}} | 1 | 42 | 2 | |
| 2015–16{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2015|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League One |26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 28 | 4 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!62 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 70 | 6 | |
| rowspan=3|Colchester United
|League Two |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2017|access-date=1 January 2017}}
|League Two |12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
| Shrewsbury Town
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=43414|season=2018|access-date=1 January 2017}} |League One |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances and goals in EFL Trophy}} | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
|2018–19{{Soccerway|doug-loft/50811}} |12 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 12 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan=3|Billericay Town
|21 | 2 | 5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=ESC|Appearances in Essex Senior Cup}} | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21
|National League South |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances and goals in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!28 | 2 | 5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4 | 0 | 37 | 2 | ||
| rowspan=3|Tonbridge Angels
|National League South |26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23
|National League South |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!374 | 28 | 21 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 23 | 2 | 430 | 32 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase|43414}}
{{Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loft, Doug}}
Category:Footballers from Maidstone
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Hastings United F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Gillingham F.C. players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Billericay Town F.C. players
Category:Tonbridge Angels F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players