waspy
Spectator
Posts: 13
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Post by waspy on Jun 28, 2011 6:21:15 GMT
Heard this morning that the former Manchester City and Stoke City legend died this morning.
RIP Mike. A blue through and through.
City legend Mike Doyle last night lost his brave battle for life, aged 64.
The Blues stalwart, renowned for his animosity towards United, suffered liver failure.
His distraught family had been praying for a miracle after doctors at Tameside Hospital warned them he had become very poorly.
Son Scott told the Manchester Evening News: “He was a great footballer, playing hundreds of games for City and England, but to me and the family he was our fantastic dad.”
His other son Grant said: “His consultant said he had seen only two patients pull out of this in 25 years. I took dad to the Sporting Chance clinic four years ago, which helped him get off the booze for 18 months.
“How does it reach this situation? Well, I guess it’s just what players do. He obviously had a few bob and must have got bored.”
Doyle, who played for England on five occasions and was a City captain,made his name in the game with over 500 appearances for the Blues breaking into the all- conquering Joe Mercer-Malcolm Allison team with other youngsters such as Neil Young, Glyn Pardoe and Colin Bell.
Known for his sometimes unorthodox defensive play and a knack for goal-scoring, Doyle hit the back of the net for City 40 times.
The son of a policeman had a reputation for not backing down either on the pitch or off it.
His hatred for United only increased his popularity among the Blues faithful.
Doyle lived in Ashton-under-Lyne with his wife, Cheryl, to whom he was married for 43 years, and, as well as sons Grant and Scott, he leaves daughters, Stephanie and Natalie and six grandchildren.
Scott said yesterday before his death: “He has been in hospital for seven weeks and we have been told he has badly advanced liver failure and it seems to be an untreatable disease.
“He is a grown man and despite all efforts, including going to the Sporting Chance clinic set up by Tony Adams through the PFA, didn’t change his lifestyle.
“At the end of the day, it’s his own decision but he has lived life to the full. He’s a great person and a fantastic dad.
“He is very poorly indeed and we have all been called three times to say goodbye.
“The staff at Tameside Hospital have been fantastic.
“The nurses have got fond of my dad and we are all grateful for their superb care.”
Scott made headlines himself when he married the daughter of Doyle’s team-mate Pardoe.
As well as regular visits from family members, Pardoe, who was Doyle’s best man, had been to see his former colleague and there were calls from former team-mates Mike Summerbee and Tony Book.
After leaving City in 1978, he had short spells at Stoke, Bolton and Rochdale before becoming a rep for sports equipment company Slazenger. He had a reputation as a heavy drinker.
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Post by armitagestokie on Jun 28, 2011 6:23:50 GMT
R.I.P Mike
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Post by u2oxeterstokie on Jun 28, 2011 6:38:46 GMT
R.I.P Mike - Great player, Great man.
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Jun 28, 2011 6:48:32 GMT
One of the first autographs I ever got at The Vic....RIP Mike
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Post by HappyClapper on Jun 28, 2011 7:02:54 GMT
One of the first players who stood out when I first started going to the vic. Legend. RIP
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Post by offthewall on Jun 28, 2011 7:06:30 GMT
He was a class player RIP
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Post by Binndy on Jun 28, 2011 7:17:41 GMT
sad piece of news
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Post by lancer on Jun 28, 2011 7:18:24 GMT
A smashing player in a Stoke shirt. R.I.P Mike.
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Post by redblue on Jun 28, 2011 7:21:02 GMT
That's a shock did'nt even no he was unwell
RIP Mike, class player
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Post by apb1 on Jun 28, 2011 7:39:25 GMT
Vivid memories of him grabbing an equaliser at Selhurst Park right in front of the Stoke end, very near the end I think.
Did a good job for us.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2011 7:43:38 GMT
This is bad news-he could only have been in his mid sixties..always played well for us and a very good signing at the end of his career.RIP
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Post by riproaring on Jun 28, 2011 7:46:33 GMT
Rock of a centre half, I read his book he could of gone to man utd trom city and wouldnt on principle, try getting today's players to spell the word. RIP
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Post by Davef on Jun 28, 2011 7:55:08 GMT
Great defender for Stoke. Played a major part in our promotion in 1979.
RIP Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2011 7:59:05 GMT
He "still had it" even when he came to Stoke. A shrewd bit of business by Durban. RIP Mike Doyle.
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Post by BeauTDSC on Jun 28, 2011 8:12:19 GMT
Very solid defender for us and helped us get promotion in 79. Fond memories as a teenager of him , a commanding centre half and Stoke hero . RIP Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2011 8:17:05 GMT
I think I remember him hitting our cross bar from 35 yards with a back pass at Northampton in the league Cup- anyone else recollect that?
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scfc64
Youth Player
1-0,2-1,3-2 or even 52%-48%..A win is a win
Posts: 474
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Post by scfc64 on Jun 28, 2011 8:27:34 GMT
His goal against West Ham at home,78-79 season. Got back to London to watch it on MOTD after the game. Only seems like yesterday. Thanks for everything you did for us in that season,RIP Mike,I Have some fantastic memories from that era in our history,thank you.
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Post by swampySCFC on Jun 28, 2011 8:35:32 GMT
Wasnt our central defence at the time Doyle and Watson. Class pairing
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Post by ST1 Stokie on Jun 28, 2011 8:48:03 GMT
RIP Mike. A great amongst greats.He was a collossus.He'll be truly missed.
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Post by Gods on Jun 28, 2011 9:17:30 GMT
Yes, Mike Doyle was magnificent for us.
I didn't realise he had hit the sauce big style, always seemed like Mr Sensible to me...RIP
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Post by Cyprusdelilah on Jun 28, 2011 9:34:54 GMT
RIP Mike.
When I was in hospital after my road accident in 78, recieved autographs from all Stoke squad. He was one of the one's who came to see me.
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Post by Cyprusdelilah on Jun 28, 2011 9:37:02 GMT
Wasnt our central defence at the time Doyle and Watson. Class pairing Watson later mate, Smithy.
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Jun 28, 2011 9:44:17 GMT
Our player of the season in our 78-79 promotion campaign. Even at a bit less than the peak of his career at Stoke, Mike never gave anything less than 100% and was a truly inspirational player to the rest of his team mates. RIP big fella.
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Post by rennes5 on Jun 28, 2011 9:53:39 GMT
Alan Durban's best signing,and formed fearsome defensive axis with Smithy. R.I.P biglad
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Post by StokieSC on Jun 28, 2011 9:59:05 GMT
RIP Mike.
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Post by NG4POTTERS on Jun 28, 2011 10:15:50 GMT
RIP mike. Top player.
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Post by pretzel on Jun 28, 2011 10:26:11 GMT
Can't really add much more to what's already been said. Mike Doyle was credit to his profession and gave his all for the clubs he served. My condolences to those close to him.
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Post by mark71 on Jun 28, 2011 11:04:51 GMT
Mike Doyle came to stoke just after I first started going down but even though I was only a young lad he left a lasting impression on me. mike doyle and smithy were my early hero's.
RIP Mike.
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Post by musik on Jun 28, 2011 11:10:15 GMT
Rest in Peace Mike Doyle!
I remember him.
A bit scary to say the least to read that he got sick after watching the FA Cup final Stoke vs Man City at Wembley.
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jnb14
Youth Player
Posts: 269
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Post by jnb14 on Jun 28, 2011 11:11:55 GMT
Anyone remember that goal he scored against West Ham? It was on Match of the Day so there should be footage of it somewhere.
RIP
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