Product Description

From the glorious past to the present day, Blue Blood - The Mike Doyle Story is the explosive autobiography of one of Manchester City's most famous sons. From his humble beginnings on the Maine Road groundstaff, the halcyon days under Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison right up to the last days of his career at Rochdale, Doyle reveals all about his days as one of England's most respected footballers. But it is perhaps his days since hanging his boots up that will shock the reader most as Doyle lifts the lid on an amazing rollercoaster ride from the edge of oblivion to successful businessman. A story for all Manchester City supporters and for anyone with a love of football, Blue Blood is a story that will grip the reader from start to finish.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #402892 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From the Publisher
If ever there was a footballer whose blood ran blue it was Mike Doyle. With 558 appearances for Manchester City spanning an incredible sixteen years, Doyle is a legendary figure amongst the City fans who idolised the tough defender throughout his career and beyond. Along with Tommy Booth, he has played in more cup finals for the Blues than any other player and was a vital member of the team that swept all before them under during the Mercer/Allison era. Famed for his aversion to Manchester United, Doyle won several England caps and also played for Stoke City, Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale before retiring in 1983. This explosive, forthright man hasn't spoken about his life after football to anybody - until now.

About the Author
David Clayton is the Editor of the official monthly Manchester City Magazine and was the author of two books on the club during 2002. The Little Book of Man. City (Carlton) was quickly followed by Everything Under the Blue Moon - the Complete Book of Manchester City…and More! (Mainstream) - both of which were amongst the best selling titles about the club of that year. Clayton is also a travel writer for the Manchester Evening News and a columnist for The Sunday Pink. An occasional contributor for The Guardian and Bermuda Sun, he lives in Manchester and is married with two children.

Customer Reviews

The real Mike Doyle
This book was a gift from my son. He knows well my life long support of Man City and the fact I saw the team of the golden era play in the late 60's early 70's standing on the Kippax.I never met him personally, but like the rest of the fans on the terracing, I owned him, he was mine, he belonged to my club, he sat amongst the gods of this world. He couldn't do any wrong.
Mike Doyle was City through and through. Cut him and he would bleed sky blue. His hatred for the Reds is often documented, and sometimes it has come back to bite him in the bum in a big way,but still, who cares, he epitomises a life long love of City.
He speaks, warts and all, about his playing days and his close friends at the club he idolised.His efforts to get to his debut in the first team away at Cardiff reads like a BBC Sitcom of the 60's.
He tells some humerous stories from behind the scenes,and slates a few well known players who pulled on the sky blue jersey, but then, that's Mike Doyle.
He is open and candid enough to admit his faults. He is brave enough to show the world that when not playing in front of his beloved fans he was and is an ordinary guy, with human frailties, like all of us.
He knows where he went wrong and is candid about his battle with alcohol. Read and enjoy Mikes story, it's written in plain language, pulling no punches, making you laugh, and sometimes wanting to cry.He is to be commended for his honesty.

Excellent Read
A very honest view of how Mike saw it. Contains some funny stories of what it was like to be footballer of his day. CTID.