Looking back at five years of highs and lows for the Wolves men's first-team players before the 2023/24 season, next up is the recent career of Old Gold midfielder Tommy Doyle.
2018/19
- Manchester City youth (17 apps | 2 goals)
Having begun his young career at the age of four with Sandback United, Doyle joined Manchester City four years later. He progressed through the youth system at Man City and into the club’s development team in 2017/18, but it was the following season where he featured regularly for the under-23s. As well as stepping out seven times in Premier League 2, it was in the FA Youth Cup where Doyle came close to tasting success. After scoring in a 4-0 win over Clevedon in the third round, in which he lined up in the City midfield with current Wolves teammate Joe Hodge, Doyle played almost every minute as the team reached the final, including a goal in the semi-final victory over West Bromwich Albion. But it wasn’t to be for the midfielder, as – despite scoring in the shootout – his side lost out on penalties.
2019/20
- Manchester City (3 apps | 0 goals)
- Manchester City youth (32 apps | 7 goals)
The 2019/20 season was one to remember for Doyle, as not only did the midfielder go one better in the FA Youth Cup by captaining City to glory in the historic competition thanks to a 3-2 win over Chelsea in the final, but he also made his senior debuts in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. His first professional appearance and start came in the latter, as he played the whole 90 minutes of a 3-1 fourth round win over Southampton in the October alongside David Silva and Phil Foden in midfield. He also came off the bench in a third round FA Cup victory over Port Vale before his first Premier League outing, and another win, as City put five past Newcastle United at the Etihad without reply as Doyle replaced Riyad Mahrez with 15 minutes of the contest remaining.
2020/21
- Manchester City (4 apps | 0 goals)
- Manchester City youth (19 apps | 4 goals)
Once again wearing the captain’s armband for City’s development side throughout the 2020/21 campaign, Doyle had a positive start to his under-21 season, with three goals and four assists in his opening eight outings, which earnt him a place in the senior side’s Carabao Cup team for the third round tie against AFC Bournemouth, where the hosts claimed a 2-1 win. The midfielder was also skipper for England under-20s in a 2-0 victory over their Wales counterparts, before making another senior debut for City, this time in Europe. Doyle came on for the final few minutes of his side’s 1-0 Champions League win over Olympiacos in the group stages, while he also played in the FA Cup, in wins over Cheltenham Town and Swansea City – extending the midfielder’s 100 per cent winning record playing for the City first-team.
2021/22
- Manchester City (0 apps | 0 goals)
- Hamburger SV – loan (7 apps | 1 goal)
- Cardiff City – loan (20 apps | 2 goals)
With under-21 football not offering Doyle the challenge he needed to break into the senior side at the Etihad, the youngster headed out on his first loan spell away from Manchester. Joining Hamburger SV for the season, he made his debut for the club in the 2. Bundesliga draw with Erzgeburge Aue in the October. Just two games later, Doyle netted his first goal in senior football in the most dramatic of circumstances, with the midfielder popping up with an added time winner against SC Paderborn. Having spent the end of 2021 on the bench, Doyle’s loan was cut short, and he was sent out to Cardiff City for the second half of the Championship campaign. Despite an assist on his Bluebirds debut, Doyle lost a senior match for the first time against Bristol City, but he enjoyed his time in the Welsh capital, with two goals and another two assists as Cardiff avoided relegation.
2022/23
- Manchester City (0 apps | 0 goals)
- Sheffield United – loan (38 apps | 4 goals)
Last season provided Doyle with more success, as he spent the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign with Sheffield United and helped the Blades to Premier League promotion. Having made his debut for the club in their Carabao Cup first round loss to West Brom, his first six games in the league could not have gone much better, helping United to five wins from those matches, and even set up one of the goals in a 4-0 drubbing of Reading. Following a spell on the sidelines with injury, Doyle returned even stronger, with the midfielder claiming his first goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Coventry City, before starring in the FA Cup as the Blades made it all the way to the semi-final. On that run Doyle scored a stunning goal against Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals but he missed out on the semis – which United lost to Man City – after not being able to face his parent club. He ended his time at Bramall Lane with four goals and seven assists.
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2023/24 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
