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SOCCER:KEVIN DOYLE recalled with a grin yesterday watching the 1990 World Cup finals as a six-year-old and, later, reading Mick McCarthy’s autobiography, Captain Fantastic, in which he recounted his experiences in that tournament. “He didn’t have to say it was all that time ago,” said the Wolves manager, feeling his age, but he was amused by the notion that, 19 years on, his club had just broken its transfer record to sign this fan of his literary works.

After four seasons with Reading, the middle two spent in the Premier League, Doyle has returned to the top flight of English football, signing a four-year contract with Wolves who were promoted as winners of the Championship last season.