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Jason: Money Can't Buy What I Had Yesterday
Sunday, 17th Apr 2016 17:09

“Money can't buy what I had yesterday,” said proud dad Jason Dozzell, having seen his son Andre follow in his footsteps by scoring on his Town debut aged only 16 in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, although as he is keen to point out when 293 days older.

Jason, still the youngest scorer in the top flight, netted on his debut having come on as a substitute aged only 16 years and 57 days as the Blues beat Coventry 3-1 at home in the old First Division in February 1984, while Andre made his goalscoring bow aged 16 years and 350 days, also having come off the bench.

“I’m very proud, obviously,” Jason told TWTD. “I was in with the fans behind the goal, I’ve not been as a fan since I was about 12 or 13, apart from going to Wembley for the play-off final and to go as a fan again was great.

“I didn’t realise he would come on at half-time, I thought he might get 10 minutes towards the end.

“I realised at half-time that he was going to come on when he wasn’t warming up with the other guys and was going to get a whole half. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Jason, 48, doesn’t recall too much about Andre’s 71st minute goal, a flicked header from a Liam Feeney cross.

“I didn’t see him run away, I was going ballistic!” he said. “I just can’t remember what I was doing. I didn’t see his celebration, but I heard it wasn’t very good, but there you go.

“It brought it all back. What are the odds on him repeating what I did? A little bit later, but we were both 16 still. An incredible story.”


Jason with Frans Thijssen at Town’s recent Ex-Players' Dinner

Which of the two was the better goal? “Mine, one hundred per cent!” he laughed. “No, I’ll leave that up to other people, I don’t want in a competition against my son. I do know whose was better but I’m not saying!”

Having made his first appearance, Jason anticipates Andre being in and around the first-team squad for the remaining four games of the campaign.

“He’s got to be managed right, it’s still a long shot for him to be regular, but I’ll leave that to Mick and the coaching staff, and I trust them to do that.

“What it will do now is mean he’ll be around the first-team picture, not necessarily starting, but he will just be around training every day for the rest of the season, I imagine, which will only be good for him.

“Maybe next season he can make 20 appearances, something like that, he’ll still only be 17. He’s got loads of time still in which to knuckle down and to realise what’s needed for really top flight football.”

The likes of Jason’s former club Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are already keeping a close eye on Andre’s progress but Dozzell senior says there’s no need for any rush to get into the Premier League, despite the immediate riches such a move would bring.

“Money can't buy what I had yesterday, money can’t buy that, with the crowd as well. Money can’t buy that at all,” he said.

“The money side will take care of itself, he’s just enjoying his football and he’s playing well.”

Jason says he didn’t see Andre, a first-year scholar who has agreed a two-year pro deal which will be formalised on his 17th birthday on May 2nd, after the match but is meeting up with him today and will be making sure his son’s feet are still firmly planted on the ground.

“I didn’t get to see him last night, I’m going to see him this afternoon, just to bring him back down to earth,” he said.

“If he gets a bit lairy, I’ll just say, ‘I’d played 50 times before you made your debut, son!’. If he gets lairy, that’s what’s coming out.”


Photo: Action Images



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Durovigutum added 17:16 - Apr 17
Brilliant. The thought of being in the crowd as my son scores for Ipswich makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. He's only 5 though, so another 11 years.... Andre's not going anywhere is he?!
9

Elto added 17:29 - Apr 17
My 16 year old son was in the crowd with me. What a disappointment he has turned out to be!

Neither of us will forget that goal, we went ballistic as well. Worth the trip just for that moment.
12

jas0999 added 18:03 - Apr 17
I really do hope he stays with us for a few seasons. Could be a key player in a couple of seasons time. Great goal yesterday. Don't recall Skuse or Hyam ever getting in that sort of position, nor Douglas. Superb finish for a 16 year old. Well done!
4

Mullet added 18:07 - Apr 17
It was brilliant just witnessing it - god knows how good it must have felt for JD. Not only watching it back seems so good, but those wise words of Dozzell snr are heartening to hear. No ego, no BS from him or his son.
7

Westy added 18:15 - Apr 17
I didn't go to Wednesday yesterday, but remember JD playing - at the time probably the most skillful player we had. Andre's goal was skillful too. To say a flick header as has been reported does it an injustice - it was well placed and intended- a good goal.
2

Elto added 18:18 - Apr 17
jas0999

To be fair to Douglas, in a recent home game, he got in to an even better position. He missed though.
3

therein61 added 18:28 - Apr 17
What a proud Dad you must be Jason the emotions must have(if possible)been higher than when you scored on your own debut, credit to you for producing an excellent player(a lot quicker than you though!!) in the making!! having seen your debut and now Andre's it has been the highlight of what has been a dreadful season.
6

Bildestoned added 19:14 - Apr 17
It's worth mentioning here that Dozell senior has been possibly THE most undervalued ITFC player of all time, amongst home supporters that is. Whilst part of the Kiwomya/Dozzell goal machine his work/success on the pitch was highly visible his eye for a pass was less so, but nevertheless sublime. I'd luv to know how many assists he was responsible for except we didn't 'do' assists back then did we? I remember even now chiding some geezer in the crowd one day when a Jason pass went 'astray' and the bloke had a proper moan. I had to point that where the pass went was where the other player SHOULD have been (if he'd had a football brain like Dozzell)!
4

jas0999 added 19:20 - Apr 17
Elto - I know, that's why I left him last. Should have said rarely in regards to Douglas!
3

lightingblue added 20:17 - Apr 17
Jason. Please can I ask one favour. I want you to absorb this moment and explain in good time how proud you must be. To witness that and being a father myself must e the ultimate. The only thing possibly better ,st be to see your sn score the winner in a World Cup or champions league final. Please can somebody tell me the last father and son to score when there were 16 a piece and on their debuts and subs. Only shame was that it should have been against Coventry in the top flight to match the old man!
2

Kikapu added 22:04 - Apr 17
Nice assist Bildestone. Appreciated that. Some fans never change.
1

BillBlue added 22:29 - Apr 17
How lucky both we and Jason are to have such a cool thinking, sensible father. Very well done to both of you.
2

Kirbmeister added 23:26 - Apr 17
jas0999 - this story is about Jason Dozzell and his son and not about making another tired point about Hyam,Douglas or anyone else.
2

HarryS_H added 01:24 - Apr 18
Great story, great prospect and hopefully a great player for us for many years to come.

Imagine bish and andre together next season...
2

geminimustang added 06:48 - Apr 18
Do the coaching staff not deserve some praise for the undoubted skilful handling of this potentially great and gifted player.There good be good times ahead for ITFC.
3

rfretwell added 07:48 - Apr 18
Yes agreed the clubs coaches deserve a massive hi five for their work with Andre. And not only him, Ben Morris is looking a prospect with 20 goals this season, Benyu, Monty Patterson all coming through gradually too. NB - cant believe how Brighton have come good again since we beat them at the Amex at the end of December.
3

brian_a_mul added 09:26 - Apr 18
Just saw the goal again.

Great to see him bring the ball forward, play it wide and get in to the box.
His movement and positioning were pretty good to get beween the defenders.
Directed the header well. (I diddnt realise he was quite tall).
1


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