By Chris Wright
Doyle is forcibly separated from a worried-looking Brian Kidd (who is now first-team coach at Eastlands) by City teammate Tony Book during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 1970
Today’s ‘Black-and-White Years’ marks the sad passing of a tough-tackling, utterly uncompromising, staunchly anti-United Man City icon, Mike Doyle – who died last night at the age of 64 after losing his battle against liver failure.
Doyle had fought alcoholism for many years and kicked the sauce for a year-and-a-half after attending Tony Adam’s Sporting Chance clinic in 2007, but continued to struggle with illness during his last few years.
Doyle, a defender by trade, scored 32 goals in 448 games for City, winning the Division One title, the FA Cup, the European Cup winners’ Cup and the League Cup twice (scoring against West Brom to take the 1970 final to extra-time before Glyn Pardoe settled the tie, and then captaining the 1976 side to glory – beating Newcastle in the final) as part of the all-conquering Joe Mercer/Malcolm Allison City line-ups.
After accruing five England caps, Doyle left City in 1978 – going on to represent Stoke, Bolton and Rochdale before hanging up his boots in 1984 to work for Slazenger.
A few more archive shots of Doyle in his pomp…
Doyle receives one of many ‘dressing downs’ from the referee, this time in 1966
City players celebrate winning the League Championship in the dressing room after their dramatic 4-3 victory over Newcastle: (back row, l-r) Glyn Pardoe, George Heslop, Alan Oakes, Colin Bell, Francis Lee; (front row, l-r) Tony Book, Mike Doyle, Ken Mulhearn
Doyle runs through a few things with central-defensive partner and City captain Tony Book, 1970
Doyle celebrates with the League Cup after City beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Wembley in the 1976 final
RIP Mick Doyle (1946-2011)