Jay Bothroyd
Encyclopedia
Jay Bothroyd is an English
footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers
as a striker. He has also played for the England national team
. He was a product of the Arsenal Academy and came to prominence during the 1999–2000 FA Youth Cup Final win against Coventry City
. He left Arsenal to join Coventry City, later playing for Perugia
, Blackburn Rovers
, Charlton Athletic
, Wolverhampton Wanderers
, Stoke City
and Cardiff City
before joining his current club.
, at eighteen years of age, Bothroyd was sold to Coventry City
after throwing his shirt at youth coach Don Howe and the bench having been substituted in the 2000 Premier League Youth Cup final against West Ham United
.
Despite having never played a competitive first team game for Arsenal, he cost Coventry £1m when he joined them on 13 July 2000. His league debut came on 4 November 2000 in a 2–1 home defeat to Manchester United
in the FA Premier League
.
In the three years he played for Coventry, he scored seventeen goals in total, despite making little impact in his first season, after making his debut against Preston North End
in the League Cup
.
Bothroyd only featured for Coventry after many other members of the squad had to be sold off to relieve the club's financial problems. He scored his debut goal in a defeat against Bradford City
on 24 August 2001, and in the 2002–03 season
became the club's top-scorer with 11 goals.
, and he transferred to the Italian
side when his Coventry contract expired in 2003.
Bothroyd was a mainstay for Perugia during their 2003-2004 season, competing in the majority of their league games, but he was unsettled in Italy. He joined Blackburn Rovers
in August 2004 on loan from Perugia. After getting sent off against Norwich City
for violent conduct, after kicking opposing midfielder Mattias Jonson
, he was unable to cement a place in the first team and returned to Perugia at the end of the season. He did manage to score once in the league for Blackburn, during a 2–2 draw with Liverpool in October 2004. In 2008 Bothroyd held an interview with newspaper the South Wales Echo
where he revealed that he, along with other teammates, was the subject of regular racist abuse while playing in Italy.
During his time at Perugia, he befriended then-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi
's third son, Al-Saadi Gaddafi. At the end of October 2011, Bothroyd said of Al-Saadi:
on 31 August 2005 having been released by Perugia due to their financial problems. His contribution here was perhaps most noted for his powerful free-kicks, and he scored twice in the league against Manchester City and Newcastle United.
In the close season, Bothroyd was released by the Addicks, following the arrival of Iain Dowie
as manager. He was then taken on trial at Crystal Palace
, but the south-Londoners decided not to offer him a deal. Bothroyd later denied he was on trial with Crystal Palace, despite playing in Crystal Palace's pre-season tour of the USA.
on 26 July 2006, becoming Mick McCarthy
's first full signing for the Midlanders.
Bothroyd started the season in fine style, scoring three goals for his new club in their first six fixtures, including a 25 yard strike in injury time away at Leeds United
to grab all three points. However, in the following game against Derby County
, his fortunes took a turn for the worse as he had a penalty saved in a game that Wolves lost 1–0.
Bothroyd's goal scoring petered out after this initial burst and he suffered an injury in December that kept him out of the busy Christmas period, though he returned to the squad in February 2007 and made several substitute appearances. The most vital of these came when he scored the winning goal as Wolves beat their bitter Black Country rivals
West Bromwich Albion
1–0 in a crucial encounter in the race for promotion.
The striker had to settle for a place on the bench for the start of the 2007–08 season
. He was eventually given a start against his former club Charlton
, where he scored one and created one in a 2–0 win and kept his starting place for the next three games, scoring Wolves' only goal of the game against Bristol City
in a 1–1 draw.
After Wolves signed new strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
and brought in Kevin Kyle
on loan during the January transfer window, Bothroyd found himself out of first team contention. To gain playing time, he moved to fellow Championship
side Stoke City
on an initial month's loan on 14 March 2008, later extended to the end of the season, which ended in promotion to the Premier League. However, after featuring in just four games during his loan spell, he returned to his parent club who promptly put him up for transfer.
, joining Cardiff City
, who beat off interest from newly promoted Premier League
side Hull City
, on 4 August 2008 in a three-year deal for a fee of £350,000. At the start of the season Bothroyd found himself in and out of the side as manager Dave Jones attempted to find his best strike partnership and, after a number of matches, Bothroyd assumed the role of first choice strike partner to Scottish international
Ross McCormack
. On 30 September 2008, Bothroyd scored his first goal for the club when he found the net against one of his former clubs, Coventry City
during a 2–1 win. It took Bothroyd just under a month to find the net again for the club when he scored twice during a 2–2 draw at Watford
. Bothroyd continued in the first team but, on 1 November, he suffered a grade two tear of his hamstring after just 13 minutes of a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers
, which was expected to rule him out for between 6–8 weeks.
He made his return to the side ahead of schedule after three weeks when he played 66 minutes during a 2–2 draw with Reading
before being replaced by Eddie Johnson. After returning to match fitness, Bothroyd found the net three times in six games during December, scoring against Burnley
, Ipswich Town
and Plymouth Argyle
, a record which saw him finish as runner-up behind Reading
's Stephen Hunt in the Championship player of the month award. Bothroyd finished the season with 12 goals, but could not prevent Cardiff from slipping out of the playoffs.
Bothroyd made a bright start to the 2009–10 season, scoring the second goal in the first ever League game at the Cardiff City Stadium in a 4–0 victory over Scunthorpe United
. He celebrated his 50th league appearance for Cardiff City by scoring the fourth goal in a 4–0 win over Watford
on 3 October 2009, and scored in the next away game against Sheffield United
, which Cardiff won 4–3. Between 24 October and 7 November 2009, Bothroyd enjoyed his most prolific scoring run with Cardiff, scoring in three consecutive matches against Sheffield United
, Nottingham Forest
and Swansea City
. He was known affectionately as 'Roger McTodger' due to his collection of taxidermied snakes. With club captain Mark Hudson injured, Bothroyd took over as captain on several occasions during the second half of the season and scored a total of 13 goals in all competitions, the highest single season total of his career, as Cardiff reached the play-off final
where he was forced off after 15 minutes due to injury.
Bothroyd started the 2010–11 season in good form, scoring 15 goals in 16 games in all competitions. He was also nominated for August's Player of the Month
but lost out to Queens Park Rangers
' Adel Taarabt
. He won the player of the month for October 2010. On 23 April 2011, Bothroyd scored a fantastic long range goal against league leaders QPR, later after the match, there were many wondering if he ment to cross instead of going for goal but Bothroyd claimed he went for goal.
On 23 May 2011, Bothroyd left Cardiff City after failing to agree a new contract.
at White Hart Lane
.
. He won one cap for the side during a friendly against Mexico U-21's
at Filbert Street
, scoring during the match with a spectacular overhead kick as England won 3–0.
In October 2008, it was revealed that Bothroyd was on the verge of a possible call-up to play for Jamaica
as he qualifies through his grandparents.
On 13 November 2010, Bothroyd was called up to the England squad for the friendly against France
. He appeared as a second half substitute in the 2–1 defeat, becoming Cardiff City
's first England international player
in their 111-year history, and the first Football League player to represent England since David Nugent
in 2007.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
as a striker. He has also played for the England national team
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He was a product of the Arsenal Academy and came to prominence during the 1999–2000 FA Youth Cup Final win against Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
. He left Arsenal to join Coventry City, later playing for Perugia
Perugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
before joining his current club.
Coventry City
Having initially been on the books at ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, at eighteen years of age, Bothroyd was sold to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
after throwing his shirt at youth coach Don Howe and the bench having been substituted in the 2000 Premier League Youth Cup final against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
.
Despite having never played a competitive first team game for Arsenal, he cost Coventry £1m when he joined them on 13 July 2000. His league debut came on 4 November 2000 in a 2–1 home defeat to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
.
In the three years he played for Coventry, he scored seventeen goals in total, despite making little impact in his first season, after making his debut against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
.
Bothroyd only featured for Coventry after many other members of the squad had to be sold off to relieve the club's financial problems. He scored his debut goal in a defeat against Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on 24 August 2001, and in the 2002–03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
became the club's top-scorer with 11 goals.
Perugia
Bothroyd's form for Coventry brought interest from PerugiaPerugia Calcio
Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles....
, and he transferred to the Italian
Football in Italy
Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup 4 times , trailing only Brazil . Italy's club sides have won 27 major European trophies, making them the most successful European nation in the subject of football...
side when his Coventry contract expired in 2003.
Bothroyd was a mainstay for Perugia during their 2003-2004 season, competing in the majority of their league games, but he was unsettled in Italy. He joined Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in August 2004 on loan from Perugia. After getting sent off against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
for violent conduct, after kicking opposing midfielder Mattias Jonson
Mattias Jonson
Mattias Jonson is a Swedish former professional football player, who played as a midfielder for Swedish club Djurgårdens IF in the Allsvenskan championship...
, he was unable to cement a place in the first team and returned to Perugia at the end of the season. He did manage to score once in the league for Blackburn, during a 2–2 draw with Liverpool in October 2004. In 2008 Bothroyd held an interview with newspaper the South Wales Echo
South Wales Echo
The South Wales Echo is a daily tabloid newspaper published in Cardiff, Wales and distributed throughout the surrounding area.The newspaper was founded in 1884 and was based in Thomson House, Cardiff city centre. It is published by Media Wales Ltd , part of the Trinity Mirror group...
where he revealed that he, along with other teammates, was the subject of regular racist abuse while playing in Italy.
During his time at Perugia, he befriended then-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
's third son, Al-Saadi Gaddafi. At the end of October 2011, Bothroyd said of Al-Saadi:
- "Saadi is a friend of mine. I saw him about 10 months ago when he was in London. All this drama. His dad is obviously a tyrant and he dictated over his countrymen through fear but Saadi was never like that. He was always friendly and polite. When he bought his house in Hampstead he asked me what I thought of it. He even came to my wedding. Obviously he used to have parties and stuff and he would invite me to Cannes to watch the Grand Prix. For his birthday he would fly me over on his plane. People who don’t know him might say he’s like this or like that or like his dad, but I’ve never seen that. I looked at him like a friend. He wasn't the best [footballer] but he did it as a hobby. He’s a billionaire but it was something he wanted to do. He wanted to play football, to come in every day and train. And he did it, to be fair. He never expected any special treatment. But obviously there were his bodyguards around. It is very strange for me. People will say to me, 'how can you be friends with this guy?' But you can only judge people on how you see them. He was always nice to me. I never met his brothers or his dad, they must be completely different. It has been weird. He paid for my honeymoon. He asked me what we were doing for it and I told him we hadn’t decided yet. So he said he’d sort something out for me. He paid for us to go to LA for a week and then on to Hawaii. All first-class travel and top hotels. It was very generous. That’s the side I see of him. I don’t see the other side. I don’t know it. There’s always corruption where there’s power, so you never know. His country want him back to prosecute him but they want to kill him apparently. It’s all politics and I don’t really know about it. I just know that innocent people should never get hurt."
Charlton Athletic
Bothroyd signed for Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on 31 August 2005 having been released by Perugia due to their financial problems. His contribution here was perhaps most noted for his powerful free-kicks, and he scored twice in the league against Manchester City and Newcastle United.
In the close season, Bothroyd was released by the Addicks, following the arrival of Iain Dowie
Iain Dowie
Iain Dowie is a former footballer and manager. He is currently without a club. He has previously managed Hull City and Queens Park Rangers and was assistant manager of Newcastle United...
as manager. He was then taken on trial at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, but the south-Londoners decided not to offer him a deal. Bothroyd later denied he was on trial with Crystal Palace, despite playing in Crystal Palace's pre-season tour of the USA.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bothroyd joined Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 26 July 2006, becoming Mick McCarthy
Mick McCarthy
Michael Joseph "Mick" McCarthy is an English-born former Irish international footballer who is currently the manager of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has been in charge since July 2006....
's first full signing for the Midlanders.
Bothroyd started the season in fine style, scoring three goals for his new club in their first six fixtures, including a 25 yard strike in injury time away at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
to grab all three points. However, in the following game against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, his fortunes took a turn for the worse as he had a penalty saved in a game that Wolves lost 1–0.
Bothroyd's goal scoring petered out after this initial burst and he suffered an injury in December that kept him out of the busy Christmas period, though he returned to the squad in February 2007 and made several substitute appearances. The most vital of these came when he scored the winning goal as Wolves beat their bitter Black Country rivals
Black Country derby
The Black Country derby is most commonly the local derby between the English football teams West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The term 'Black Country derby' can also be given to a match between either of these teams and Walsall F.C., though such matches are less common as a result...
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
1–0 in a crucial encounter in the race for promotion.
The striker had to settle for a place on the bench for the start of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
. He was eventually given a start against his former club Charlton
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, where he scored one and created one in a 2–0 win and kept his starting place for the next three games, scoring Wolves' only goal of the game against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in a 1–1 draw.
After Wolves signed new strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Agustus Ebanks-Blake is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
and brought in Kevin Kyle
Kevin Kyle
Kevin Alistair Kyle is a Scottish footballer who plays as a centre forward for SPL club Hearts.- Early life :...
on loan during the January transfer window, Bothroyd found himself out of first team contention. To gain playing time, he moved to fellow Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on an initial month's loan on 14 March 2008, later extended to the end of the season, which ended in promotion to the Premier League. However, after featuring in just four games during his loan spell, he returned to his parent club who promptly put him up for transfer.
Cardiff City
Bothroyd remained in the ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, joining Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, who beat off interest from newly promoted Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
side Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, on 4 August 2008 in a three-year deal for a fee of £350,000. At the start of the season Bothroyd found himself in and out of the side as manager Dave Jones attempted to find his best strike partnership and, after a number of matches, Bothroyd assumed the role of first choice strike partner to Scottish international
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for English football club Leeds United and the Scotland national team. His main position is as a Striker but he can also play as a Winger....
. On 30 September 2008, Bothroyd scored his first goal for the club when he found the net against one of his former clubs, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
during a 2–1 win. It took Bothroyd just under a month to find the net again for the club when he scored twice during a 2–2 draw at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Bothroyd continued in the first team but, on 1 November, he suffered a grade two tear of his hamstring after just 13 minutes of a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, which was expected to rule him out for between 6–8 weeks.
He made his return to the side ahead of schedule after three weeks when he played 66 minutes during a 2–2 draw with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
before being replaced by Eddie Johnson. After returning to match fitness, Bothroyd found the net three times in six games during December, scoring against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
and Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, a record which saw him finish as runner-up behind Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
's Stephen Hunt in the Championship player of the month award. Bothroyd finished the season with 12 goals, but could not prevent Cardiff from slipping out of the playoffs.
Bothroyd made a bright start to the 2009–10 season, scoring the second goal in the first ever League game at the Cardiff City Stadium in a 4–0 victory over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
. He celebrated his 50th league appearance for Cardiff City by scoring the fourth goal in a 4–0 win over Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 3 October 2009, and scored in the next away game against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, which Cardiff won 4–3. Between 24 October and 7 November 2009, Bothroyd enjoyed his most prolific scoring run with Cardiff, scoring in three consecutive matches against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. He was known affectionately as 'Roger McTodger' due to his collection of taxidermied snakes. With club captain Mark Hudson injured, Bothroyd took over as captain on several occasions during the second half of the season and scored a total of 13 goals in all competitions, the highest single season total of his career, as Cardiff reached the play-off final
2010 Football League Championship play-off Final
The 2010 Football League Championship play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 2010 to decide the third team to be promoted from The Championship to the Premier League for the 2010–11 season....
where he was forced off after 15 minutes due to injury.
Bothroyd started the 2010–11 season in good form, scoring 15 goals in 16 games in all competitions. He was also nominated for August's Player of the Month
Football League Championship Player of the Month
The Player of the Month is an Association Football award that recognises the player adjudged the best for each month of the season in the Football League Championship, the second tier in English football. For sponsorship reason, since it's inception it has been known as the Coca-Cola Player of the...
but lost out to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
' Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt
Adel Taarabt is a Moroccan footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as an Attacking midfielder and can also be used as a winger....
. He won the player of the month for October 2010. On 23 April 2011, Bothroyd scored a fantastic long range goal against league leaders QPR, later after the match, there were many wondering if he ment to cross instead of going for goal but Bothroyd claimed he went for goal.
On 23 May 2011, Bothroyd left Cardiff City after failing to agree a new contract.
Queens Park Rangers
Bothroyd signed a two-year deal with Premier League new boys Queens Park Rangers on 12 July 2011. He netted his first goal for QPR in a 3-1 defeat against Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
.
International career
As a youngster Bothroyd represented England at several youth levels, getting as far as the under-21 teamEngland national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
. He won one cap for the side during a friendly against Mexico U-21's
Mexico national under-20 football team
The Mexico national under-20 football team, is controlled by the Mexican Football Federation and represents Mexico in international under-20 football competitions.-Individual awards:...
at Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
, scoring during the match with a spectacular overhead kick as England won 3–0.
In October 2008, it was revealed that Bothroyd was on the verge of a possible call-up to play for Jamaica
Jamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
as he qualifies through his grandparents.
On 13 November 2010, Bothroyd was called up to the England squad for the friendly against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. He appeared as a second half substitute in the 2–1 defeat, becoming Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
's first England international player
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in their 111-year history, and the first Football League player to represent England since David Nugent
David Nugent
David James Nugent is an English footballer striker, who currently plays for Leicester City . Before joining Leicester, Nugent made a total of 228 appearances in the Football League playing for Bury, Preston North End and Portsmouth...
in 2007.
Style of play
Dave Jones described Bothroyd as a player who can "drift, he's got good ability and good pace."Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Coventry City Coventry City F.C. Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry... |
2000–01 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | 31 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2002–03 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 11 | |
| Total | 72 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 17 | |
| Perugia Perugia Calcio Associazione Calcistica Perugia Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Perugia, Umbria, direct heir of the old Perugia Calcio and A.C. Perugia, excluded from Italian football because of financial troubles.... |
2003–04 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 34 | 6 |
| 2004–05 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 28 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 36 | 6 | |
| → Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... (loan) |
2004–05 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
2005–06 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
| Total | 18 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
2006–07 | 33 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 9 |
| 2007–08 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 | |
| Total | 55 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 13 | |
| → Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... (loan) |
2007–08 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
2008–09 | 39 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 12 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Football League Championship The Football League Championship season 2009–10 is the sixth season of the league under its current title and eighteenth season under its current league division format... |
40 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 13 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Football League Championship The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format... |
37 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 20 | |
| Total | 120 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 137 | 45 | |
| Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
2011–12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| Career total | 313 | 77 | 20 | 6 | 17 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 364 | 90 | |