Football
Exclusive: Wolves Ace Tommy Doyle Has No Regrets Leaving Man City for the Black Country
Tommy Doyle has no regrets leaving Manchester City for Wolverhampton Wanderers, finding joy in regular first-team football. The 22-year-old midfielder reflects on his breakthrough season at Molineux, the influence of his football-legend grandfathers, and his ambitions for future honors with Wolves and England.
Image Credits: The New York Times
Tommy Doyle has no regrets about swapping Manchester City for Wolverhampton Wanderers, and admitting the thrill of playing regular first team football more than compensates for his exit from the reigning Premier League champions, the midfielder is convinced he can lift trophies with Gary O’Neil’s side.
Doyle Finds Joy in Regular First Team Football
Despite being almost guaranteed to win medals had he remained at the Etihad Stadium, Doyle told SportsBoom.com: “I love the games. You wake up on a matchday and you feel ready.”
“There’s always lots to take on board but the most exciting thing is to actually play.”
“That’s why we come into this and that’s what everyone wants to do. It’s the most important thing.”
Aged 22 and a former England under-21 international, Doyle has just enjoyed his breakthrough campaign at Molineux.
Image Credits: beIN SPORTS
A Storied City Legacy and Unfulfilled Dreams
Although he grew up as a City supporter and had hoped to emulate his grandfathers - who both featured in the club’s 1974 League Cup final defeat by Wolves - Doyle struggled to command a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven.
He made only four senior appearances for City before completing loan spells with Hamburg and Sheffield United.
But, after embellishing his reputation as a hot young prospect by helping The Blades win promotion to the Premier League, Doyle was then targeted by Wolves who are set to make his switch permanent this month.
A Breakthrough Season at Molineux
He went on to make 32 outings under O’Neil, whose side finished 14th in the Premier League table, but was ineligible for selection when Wolves beat City in September.
Even though his family are City through and through - dad Scott was also on their youth books as a youngster before his career was interrupted by injury - Doyle’s presence in the Black Country will have tempered their disappointment following that result.
Mike used to tell me ‘Play your game, do what you know you’re good at’ and he could always calm me down whenever I got angry.
Tommy Doyle
Family Support and Inspirational Guidance
Scott’s father Mike Doyle and his mother’s dad Glyn Pardoe are both legends in the North-West, having helped City win the 1969 FA Cup final before that clash with Wolves five years later. They also won a First Division title, the Charity Shield and the European Cup Winners Cup together in a City shirt.
“I know they aren’t here anymore, but I still think about them all the time,” added Doyle.
“The advice I got from them, you couldn’t buy that experience or knowledge.”
Doyle continued: “Dad had a problem with his back but ribs me he was still a better player than me.”
“Joking aside, him and mum are my number one fans, and they do whatever they can to help me. I can’t thank them or the family enough to be honest.”
Eyes on Future Honours and England Ambitions
Doyle is now targeting honours of his own after impressing for Wolves last term. With O’Neil’s men set to begin the campaign against Arsenal next month, another series of commanding displays could see him force his way into contention for full England honours.
Doyle was a member of the Young Lions squad, together with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, crowned European under-21 champions 12 months ago.
“I just want to keep on improving, keep on learning and become the very best that I can be.”
“Being forced to live away from my area, operating in different systems, has taught me a lot,” Doyle concluded.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.