Boothroyd In The Frame

Last updated : 02 March 2006 By Gary Calder

Golden Boys’ manager, Aidy Boothroyd (pictured left) is one of four managers short listed for the February manager of the month award, alongside Kevin Blackwell of Leeds United, Iain Dowie of Crystal Palace and Joe Royle of Ipswich Town.

Should Boothroyd collect the award, to be decided by a panel headed by Sky Sports' Chris Kamara, it would be deserved recognition for an outstanding month for the gaffer and the Golden Boys which saw them cement a place in the play-off positions and close the gap on second placed Sheffield United considerably.

The first outing of February was the barnstorming televised performance at Bramall Lane, when a Marlon King brace was added to by goals from Chris Eagles and Hameur Bouazza that sealed a stunning 4-1 success over the Blades.

The Golden Boys then demolished Micky Adams’ Coventry City 4-0 at Vicarage Road before suffering a controversial defeat at play-off rivals Leeds United.

Leading courtesy of a stunning Ashley Young free-kick on the stroke of half time the Golden Boys succumbed to a late Robbie Blake goal, his second of the contest, this after goalkeeper Ben Foster and striker Darius Henderson had been red carded.

All that travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion the following Saturday were privileged to witness one of the best goals they will ever see, a stupendous effort by Eagles from virtually the halfway line that was sufficient to defeat the South Coast outfit.

The month was to end with a narrow 2-1 triumph over Cardiff City, a late King effort proving the difference after the Bluebirds’ Jeff Whitley had cancelled out Malky Mackay’s opener for the Golden Boys.