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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Eoin Doyle's influence in ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Harry Brockbank's St Patrick's transfer

Harry Brockbank revealed former Bolton Wanderers team mate Eoin Doyle helped his move to St Patrick's Athletic come to fruition.

The 23-year-old made the switch to US outfit El Paso Locamotive after his time at Wanderers came to a conclusion in January. His contract at the University of Bolton Stadium which was due to run until 2023 was cut short.

Brockbank made a total of 37 appearances for Wanderers in all competitions. He made his Whites debut in April 2019 against Aston Villa during the club's most recent season in the Championship.

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He found regular game time hard to come by last season at his boyhood club having made only seven appearances in all competitions after falling down the pecking order in the back four. He subsequently made an exit in January and joined El Paso.

Brockbank made nearly a dozen appearances for the American side and had been operating mostly at right-back. He also scored twice with goals against Las Vegas and San Diego Loyal.

Brockbank became a free agent after he departed the US side by mutual consent in May. But he has now headed to the League of Ireland and signed for St Pat's.

He links up with former Wanderers team mate Doyle at the Dublin side. He has explained how Doyle helped his move come to fruition and conversations with St Pat's boss Tim Clancy after his El Paso exit.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel Brockbank said: “I can’t wait to get started. I have been here a couple of weeks now, just ready and raring to go.

“Speaking to Doyler as I came back from America, Doyler told me to come in, train and see what I think of the place. After a couple of days I knew that I would like it, so I got speaking to the gaffer. He said that he wanted me to sign and everything has gone from there.

"I started off at Bolton Wanderers, so I was there from eight until being 23, the age I am now and I felt like I needed a bit of a change, so I went out to America for a couple of months, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to., so I decided to come back and play over here.

“It has been really good, I have really enjoyed it. The standard of training has been good and the facilities are great. I just can’t wait to get playing now, I am looking forward to my the first game.”

Clancy has discussed the signing of Brockbank to his side. He has explained the role he expects the former Wanderers youngster to fulfill in his squad.

He said: “Harry is one that was put to us. He has played for Bolton’s first team and was over with El Paso in America last season, so he comes in and has got a bit of experience. We are looking forward to getting him in.

“He gives us options for the defensive areas – he can play centre-back, he can play in a back three, he can play left-back as well so it is the versatility that is important for us in a tight squad and something that we need.”

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