Inaugural Coventry City captain's event to mark ten years of service

Coventry City skipper Michael Doyle is set to launch an annual charity event to bring the players and supporters even closer together.

The 37-year-old also wants to give something back to the local community by raising funds for good causes, the midfielder keen to help the homeless in the inaugural 'Captain's Charity Quiz Night' which he hopes will become an annual event for future Sky Blues skippers.

The evening has been organised in conjunction with the Leamington and Warwick Coventry City Supporters' Club and takes place at the Woodland Grange conference centre, Kenilworth, next Tuesday (Dec 18).

Co-organiser Juggy Chima, of the L&WCCSC, said: "Michael is keen to give something back to the community as well as continue to develop the relationship between the players and the supporters.

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"He was very struck during his time at Portsmouth how close a relationship the fans had with the players and when he returned to Coventry he was keen to develop the same strong links here.

"We all saw how that took off last season with a number of social events and forums when manager Mark Robins and and a number of the players got together with the supporters and helped create a real bond.

"That spilled out onto the terraces and added to what was a successful promotion campaign on the pitch."

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He added: "The club is very close to his heart and I know he loved the fact that the fans made up a song about him.

"His wife is a City fan, as is his brother in law and he told me that his kids like to sing his song to him."

Juggy says they are hoping to raise over £1,000 from next week's event and that Doyle is keen to help his chosen homeless charity by offering his free time to serve and distribute food to those sleeping rough.

"Doyler is keen to muck in and take a hands on approach if he can," he said.

Michael Doyle is keen to give something back after almost a decade of service to the Sky Blues

"I think he appreciates what he has in life and what football has provided him and his family, and knows things might have been very different if he'd not gone into the profession.

"He's also coming up to his tenth year as a Coventry player and is keen to mark that by setting something up that will continue well after he has left the club.

"But it's more about strengthening the existing links between the fans and players, and helping the community every year rather than anything specific to him in terms of creating a lasting legacy."

Richard Williams from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire is going to be quiz master at the event which will include a round when a number of players will walk out dressed as Santa Claus and the teams have to identify them.

There is also a penalty shootout round which is being filmed at the training ground this week, while many of the first team squad are expected to attend.

Coventry City captain Michael Doyle celebrates promotion at Wembley

"The doors will be open from 6.30pm and we'll kick off at about 7pm with Michael saying a few words about his chosen cause before the quiz starts," said Juggy.

"We'll have a break halfway through when fans will be able to mix with the players, get photographs and have their shirts or whatever signed, and hopefully it will be a great night out.

"We have some great prizes, one of the best being a trip for Under-12s to go to the Ryton training ground to meet the players and then watch training before joining in a little session at the end."

The quiz will be made up of teams of four, costing £20 per team, and for more information or to book a team email Juggy at lwccfc@outlook.com