Happy to stay The club is almost like home to me now, says Boyle
gloslivesport@reachplc.com
CHELTENHAM Town defender Will Boyle has spent lockdown maintaining his fitness levels with long bike rides in the Yorkshire Dales and regular yoga sessions.
He has also completed a football marketing management course through the PFA, while waiting for the action on the pitch to resume.
One thing he has not had to worry about is his future with the Robins, having agreed a new two-year deal which keeps him at the club until the summer of 2022.
The contract extension coincided with Boyle’s return to boss Michael Duff ’s starting XI in February, although it was not confirmed until this week.
After picking up an injury at Leyton Orient on the opening day, the club’s longest serving outfield player had to be patient for a big chunk of the season due to the form of onloan Hull City prospect Jacob Greaves.
But Boyle said at no stage did he want to leave a club that has become home for the Yorkshireman since he first arrived in January 2017.
“The club approached me to extend my contract and we got it done in February,” Boyle said.
“It had been rumbling on in the background and I was pleased to get it done because I always wanted to stay. “The club have been brilliant to me and I feel settled here now, almost like a home for me, so it was always my intention to stay.”
The calf tear, along with Greaves’ standards, meant that Boyle has been restricted to 11 starts this term, but he had started the six games immediately before lockdown, which saw Cheltenham win five and then draw 0-0 at home to Port Vale.
“The season hasn’t always gone as planned for personally and there was a lot of reflection and times when I had to take a bit of a back seat,” he said. “It’s about the team and being bigger than just my own career. “It was frustrating not playing because I’d been generally ever-present since signing, but it had to be long-term thinking. “I’ve been a part of the season as a whole, when we’ve been going well as a team.
“I was pleased to come back in and results went our way. “Getting back into the rhythm quickly felt like the hard work I put in the background paid off and it’s always about the team and I am pleased to have played a small part in the season.”
The most important factor for Boyle when deciding to put pen to paper was the fact he feels he is developing as a player under Duff, even when he spent time out of the starting XI.
“With the environment and management team, I am developing in the long term as an individual,” he said.
“Tactically and technically I feel I have soared so I am moving forward in the right place and the right club to be working, which matches my values.
“We’ve been punching above our weight and we are looking to achieve things. It’s been tough at times, but I always knew I was improving.”
Boyle is now back in Cheltenham, having undergone a coronavirus test at Whaddon Road on Friday ahead of Monday’s return to training.
He spent lockdown staying with his partner Sian’s parents, who both played their part in helping him stay active during the extended lay-off.
“I’ve done the ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ with Sian’s dad Mike and I’ve also been doing yoga with her mum, Jo,” he said.
“Me and Longy (Sean Long) usually do two classes a week at Leisure@ Cheltenham, so it’s just been trying to keep that going really.
“I’ve done some weights in the garden too and it’s been about improvising, but everyone is in the same boat and nobody has been through anything like this before, so it’s about seeing the bigger picture again.
“It’s been a chance to take stock reflect on where I am at, where the club is at and press the reset button, which you don’t get many chances to do.
“It’s a lot about how you spin it and the uncertainty has been tough at times, but It’s trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable and that’s been my focus.”
During the early weeks of lockdown, Cheltenham’s players were give plans by fitness coach Josh Harris, but as the break was extended, they were given a total rest before starting to build up their stamina again.
“It’s progressing like you would in the off season,” Boyle said.
“We all had our own time slot on Friday for the testing and it was a two minute job, without seeing the other lads.”
Cheltenham are preparing for the prospect of a two-legged play-off semifinal against Northampton Town, with Colchester United and Exeter City meeting in the other semi-final.
“It’s a three-game season now and I can’t imagine this situation will ever happen again,” Boyle said.
“It’s an opportunity like no other, so it may take some will power not to get too excited about a chance to write a little bit of our own history.
“Everyone is raring to go and I’ve spoken to Alfie (May) and Toze (Ben Tozer) and they are two big players for us who are also raring to go.
“A lot of other clubs would be desperate to be in our position, training and seeing the lads again and countless other industries are the same, so let’s seize the opportunity we have.”