Aidy Boothroyd

Aidy Boothroyd
Personal information
Full name	Adrian Neil Boothroyd
Date of birth	8 February 1971 (1971-02-08) (age 38)
Place of birth	Baildon, Bradford, England
Playing position	Defender
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1989–1990 1990–1992 1992–1993 1993–1996 1996–1998	Huddersfield Town Bristol Rovers Hearts Mansfield Town Peterborough United Total	010 (0) 016 (0) 004 (0) 102 (3) 026 (1) 158 (4)
Teams managed
2005–2008 2009–	Watford Colchester United
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. * Appearances (Goals)

Adrian Neil "Aidy" Boothroyd (born 8 February 1971 in Baildon, West Riding of Yorkshire) is an English former footballer and is currently manager of Colchester United. He was manager of Watford of the Championship until 3 November 2008. He was the youngest and 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.^[1] A short spell at The Hawthorns ended when he was appointed first-team coach at Leeds United in July 2004,^[2]

Watford

He was appointed manager of Watford in March 2005 at the age of 34.^[3] The board backed their decision despite initial scepticism by Watford fans 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 Premier League. 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

A good start to the 2007–08 season saw Watford nine points clear at the top of the Championship after twelve games.^[6] The good form saw Boothroyd named Championship Manager of the Month for October 2007 after Watford maintained a 100% record.^[7] However this could not be sustained and a poor run of form in second half of the season saw Boothroyd coming in for criticism for his team selections, direct style of play and dealings in the transfer market.^[8] One win in thirteen going into the last game of the season saw Watford in danger of missing out on a play-off spot altogether 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 Premier League, Boothroyd announced his intention re-build the side for next season, and also change the team's style of play.^[9] Unfortunately things did not go to plan and he left Watford by mutual consent on 3 November 2008.^[10]

Colchester United

On Wednesday 2 September 2009, Boothroyd was announced as the new manager of League One side Colchester United, succeeding Paul Lambert.^[11] In Aidy's first game as Colchester boss his team drew 0 - 0 with Southampton. Aidy's first defeat came in his 10th game as a 2 - 1 defeat to Millwall.

Honours

As a Manager

Promotions

• 2005–06: The Championship Playoff Winner (promotion to The Premier League) - Watford

Managerial statistics

As of 11th December 2009 (league only).^[12]

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	Won %	Drawn %	Lost%
Watford		29 March 2005	3 November 2008	176	65	51	60	36.9	29.0	34.1
Colchester United		2 September 2009		16	8	6	2	50.0	37.5	12.5

References

• "Adrian Boothroyd". Flown From the Nest. http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/boothroyd.htm. Retrieved 6 July 2005. 

External links

• Adrian Boothroyd management career stats at Soccerbase