Old Harrovian Michael Doughty is today featured in an interview in the Guardian newspaper reflecting on his career as a professional footballer and the difficulties he has faced integrating into such an unforgiving environment as an ex-public schoolboy.

Speaking to journalist Stuart James, Doughty (Rendalls, 2006) explains that his privileged upbringing is something he has learned to embrace despite being subjected to the usual ribbing from his fellow pro's: “I’ll never apologise for my background because I’m very proud of what my dad was able to achieve and I’m very proud of my own achievements, and that’s who I am,” he says.

“Whether you’re from a council estate in Liverpool or you went to probably the most quintessential British school, there’s common ground and that’s being a human being and a good person.

“Some of my best mates in football, we are polar opposites, but that’s what I love so much about it; you create friendships for life with people who you would never normally mix with. And that’s a really amazing part of the job.”

After leaving Harrow with a string of A grades at GSCE and A Level, Doughty progressed from the Chelsea youth academy to Queens Park Rangers and a variety of clubs on loan. Indeed, by the time he was 22 years old he had played in all four divisions in England as well as the Scottish Premiership.

He appears to have found a more permanent home at League Two Swindon Town however, having returned to the Wiltshire club for a second spell following last season's sojourn at Peterborough.

And Michael made a dramatic start to this season when he scored a hat-trick on the opening day, including two penalties in injury time, to help his side defeat Macclesfield 3-2. With two further penalties in subsequent fixtures, Doughty was nominated for the August League Two Player of the Month Award.

The full interview in Thursday's Guardian newspaper can be viewed here.

Naturally, the OHAFC wish Michael every success with this season and beyond.