Mike Doyle died on this day in 2011.

He once came home the night before a derby game with a policeman outside his door because he’d had threats made against him!

Yep and the police were definitely only there protect any Muppet rag stupid enough to show up, without the police there he'd have absolutely battered them there's no doubt about it.. as we all know.
 
I think quite a few of us wanted Tommy to make it with us on largely sentimental grounds, because of the double affiliation (Pardoe as well). I would love to have seen a player bearing the name Doyle out on that pitch.
It was not to be. Tommy probably would have been good enough for 1980s/90s City. Not the exalted level we're at now.
 
As a young lad I saw Mike get out of a car go into our local grocers, Nash on Hulme Road in Denton, later I told my dad and expected him to say "no chance" instead he said yeah he's dating Cheryl, the daughter of the owner who he later married. The Nash family weren't interested in football up to then but start attending games, my dad and I use to go with them to away games tickets provided by Mike, sometimes his dad Tom would be with us. Tom was a Police sergeant based in Reddish and Mike was known as Tommy in the dressing room to stop confusion with Summerbee, Im guessing that Mike's grandson ex City player was named after him.
Went to Anfield with Mr & Mrs Nash and we were in the main stand right in the corner next to the Kop my dad had to go in the Kop as there were only 3 complementary tickets anyhow Mike went down injured and there was less than complementary words from the scouser Mrs Nash took great hum bridge to them and gave then a dressing down "how dare you that's my son-in-law" they apologized and said he's a great player Mrs those were the days when the scousers were appreiciative of the opposition in fact City were dominating the game and getting applauded by them, believe it or not, but being Anfield still managed to loose to a late goal

Mike very much under appreciated in our great club's history he played as he knew what it meant to wear the sky blue shirt heart on his sleeve top man
A great shame it ended so badly for him personally
RiP Mike (Tommy)
 
The original one MANCHESTER CITY MY TEAM was published just after City had won the League Cup in 76, and was a far more enjoyable read.
My sister, who's own anniversary is on 30th June, got me a signed copy from him.
Treasured for many reasons - just as Mike aways will be.
If Kompany deserves a statue, Mike deserved a statue with a column as well - made of granite; just like he was - so he could tower over us still, being the top blue that he was.
 
My sister, who's own anniversary is on 30th June, got me a signed copy from him.
Treasured for many reasons - just as Mike aways will be.
If Kompany deserves a statue, Mike deserved a statue with a column as well - made of granite; just like he was - so he could tower over us still, being the top blue that he was.
I haven't seen my copy in years, but I seem to recall every derogatory comment prefaced by "No names No pack drill"

Indeed, I remember once checking through my mid 60s programme collection and calculating that one of his observations must have been aimed at Alf Wood as City had just been thrashed by Portsmouth and Doyle referenced a "gobby" youngster who was subsequently embarrassed by the future City Manager Ron Saunders

In his second book he didn't seem embarrassed by naming names and (in my opinion) this didn't reflect well on his character
 
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Mike Doyles banner should be up permanent legend
 
Saw a copy of his original book recently in a charity shop in Bury,read a little about how he didn’t get on with Marsh,regarded him as not a team player.
True .... the next game after marsh left the club was a real boo / hooray moment every time doyle had the ball ..... both players were very popular with fans
 
He used to have a car shop on Oldham Rd in Ashton when I was a kid in the early 1970's,he waved to me once when I was with my dad in his car, he used to drink in the Oddfellow Arms in Ashton.
Years ago I was walking to my sisters on Curzon rd and my walkman dropped away from my earphones and dropped to
the floor,while I was picking it up he was walking past with his dog,surreal moment,I just said " up the blues " and he said hi and smiled.
He hated the cunts nearly as much as I do.

He was an Ashton lad too as far as I know
He was. My uncle was the spitting image of him. He played Sunday league wearing number 4. I used to clean and dubbin his boots for 6d. In my mind I was cleaning Mike Doyle's boots
 
The first time I saw him play was in a youth cup match against the rags. To say he put himself about a bit is a massive understatement. He was fired up, fuelled by hatred of the reds.
Technically a much better player than he was ever given credit for.
Loved him.
1st leg of a youth semifinal at OT. “Chinned” George Best, missed by the referee. Lots of animosity built up from that game, arguably contributed to Best’s infamous challenge on Glynn Pardoe a few years later.
 
A total blue legend and saw the Big Match on ITV 4 this lunchtime with brief highlights of the Derby in Sept 75 when Oakes missed that last minute sitter to win the game. Mike looked in complete control in the back four in that great strip.
 
1st leg of a youth semifinal at OT. “Chinned” George Best, missed by the referee. Lots of animosity built up from that game, arguably contributed to Best’s infamous challenge on Glynn Pardoe a few years later.
Yep, that’s the game. A very feisty affair. The MEN the following day had the headline: “Oh, You Naughty Boys.”
Funny, so much is lost in my memory from those many years ago, but I can remember when a particular match or incident fired my imagination at the time. That game was certainly a stand out, probably for all the wrong reasons. I loved it!
 

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