Manchester City prodigy Tommy Doyle teased by club legend granddad before Southampton debut

Doyle is the grandson of two City legends - Glyn Pardoe and the late Mike Doyle

Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle (Getty Images)

Tommy Doyle’s granddad could not help but tease him before the teenage midfielder made his senior Manchester City debut in Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory over Southampton in the League Cup.

Doyle is the grandson of both Glyn Pardoe and the late Mike Doyle, two former City players. The elder Doyle, who passed away in 2011, captained City to their 1976 League Cup triumph.

Pardoe, meanwhile, remains the youngest-ever player to represent City’s first team, having debuted at the age of 15 years and 313 days in 1962. He would win the First Division, FA Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup while making 380 appearances for the club.

Doyle only turned 18 earlier this month and after learning that he would start in Tuesday’s fourth round tie at the Etihad, he turned to Pardoe for advice. His granddad encouraged the youngster, while reminding him that his record remained intact.

“I face-timed him before the game and told him I couldn’t wait,” Doyle said. “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.

“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.”

A banner depicting Doyle’s other granddad, Mike, lifting the League Cup was unfurled before kick-off in the Etihad’s South Stand. The youngster spotted it and later dedicated his performance to his late relative.

“I’ve seen it before and it just makes me feel proud,” he said. “He did it in a different era and for me to continue the Doyle legacy in a different is a massive thing.

“Since he died I’ve always wanted to make him proud so I’ll keep my head down, listen to all the information I can get and see how far I can go.

“Hopefully Mike is watching down and is proud of me, because I’ve done it for him as well today.”