Tommy’s family pride
TEENAGER DOYLE HAS GROWN UP WITH CITY IN HIS BLOOD
AS Tommy Doyle emerged from the tunnel for his City debut on Tuesday night, the first thing he saw was the seat from which he leapt when Sergio Aguero scored that goal.
And with a glance towards his family in the stand, and a proud look at the huge banner depicting his grandad, Mike Doyle, lifting the League Cup in 1976, he was ready to go.
The 18-year-old was unfazed at being asked to play the holding midfield role – not his normal position – and put in a performance against Southampton at the Etihad which would have made his late grandad proud.
It certainly made his other grandad, Glyn Pardoe, another Blues legend, swell with pride.
The teenager has more Blue blood than the Royal Family – grandad Glyn’s cousin Alan Oakes still holds the City appearances record of 680.
All three of his illustrious relatives were in the Blues team that won the league in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and both the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup in 1970.
Unsurprisingly, young Doyle has been a fixture at City since he was small, both as a player and a fan, and it all coursed through him as he prepared to take on Southampton for a place in the quarter-final.
“As I walked out of the tunnel, the seat I was in that day in 2012 was straight ahead. It was the first thing I looked at, then I looked at my family in the stands, and I was ready,” said the Cheshire-born midfielder.
“I’ve been coming here for years but the main memory is the Aguero moment, the 93:20. That was the moment that changed everything for the club and put us where we are now.
“It feels good to be out there and continuing to help the club progress. I’m enjoying every minute.
“Now I’m giving passes to Sergio, and it doesn’t seem real.
“He’s a fantastic footballer, and he gives you lots of information, but keeps it fun, keeps it happy. “There are no nerves around Sergio, he’s always laughing and joking, which helps to calm you down and make you feel better. What he’s done for the club is massive. “Everyone went mental on that day, and to be playing with him is amazing.” Doyle turned 18 just 12 days before his debut, but precocious talent runs in the family. Grandad Glyn was just 15 years and 314 days old when he played his first game for City against Birmingham in 1962.
And Tommy revealed that his grandad was quick to remind him of that, when they spoke before the game.
Doyle only found out he was playing when Pep Guardiola told him at a team meeting on the day of the game, and one of the first things he did was contact grandad Glyn. “I Facetimed him before the game, and told him I couldn’t wait. He reminded me he was only 15, just getting a little dig in!
“He does that all the time, we have a nice healthy competition. “But he is a legend at this club and I’m fortunate to have him in my family, so I get advice that others might not get. I’m over the moon for what’s happened and can’t wait for
more minutes.” Doyle also clocked the fact that his other grandad’s voice was echoing around the Etihad as the players warmed up – he was in the City players choir which recorded ‘The Boys In Blue’ song in 1976.
With City fans displaying the banner showing his grandad lifting the cup at Wembley that same year, it all came together for the lad.
“I had a little sing along to the song because I knew the words,” said Doyle with a smile. “Being surrounded by things like that makes you proud – people forget about that era of the Sixties and Seventies, which was fantastic for the club, and they won a lot.
“I spoke to my granddad Glyn before and he just said ‘Listen, everyone has to do it, so just go out and do what you do.’
“Everyone has said the same thing. Everyone has to make a debut at some point. I went out and did the best I can. Hopefully Mike is watching down and is proud of me, because I’ve done it for him as well today.” Mike was an arch-Blue, loved by City fans for his uncompromising approach, and detested by United fans for his uncanny ability to wind them up.
The image of him giving a twofingered salute after scoring a winning goal in front of an enraged Stretford End during a 2-1 City win remains an iconic derby memory for Blues.
Tommy has grown up with such stories, and has always relished derby days in the youth ranks – and admits he would love nothing more than to stick one in the net at the same end of Old Trafford.
“My dad has videos and stuff, so I’ve seen my grandad Mike do a few crazy things, and Glyn be pretty normal!” he said
“I have shirts at home and sometimes I just look at them, to remember. I’ve still got Glyn, who gives me all the attention and advice I need, but it was a massive thing for me to do Mike proud.”