Johnny Doyle

John Doyle (11 May 1951 – 19 October 1981) was a Scottish international footballer, who played as a winger.

For other people with the same name, see John Doyle (disambiguation).

Johnny Doyle
Personal information
Full name John Doyle
Date of birth (1951-05-11)11 May 1951
Place of birth Uddingston, Scotland
Date of death 19 October 1981(1981-10-19) (aged 30)
Place of death Kilmarnock, Scotland
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Viewpark
1968–1970 Ayr United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1976 Ayr United 155 (24)
1976–1981 Celtic 118 (14)
National team
1973–1974 Scotland U23 3 (0)
1975 Scotland 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Ayr United

Born in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, Doyle was raised in nearby Viewpark and was a committed Celtic supporter from childhood.[2] He started his career with Ayr United, whom he joined from juvenile side Viewpark in 1968,[2] making his senior debut in 1970. Strong performances, including in a convincing win over Rangers in 1975,[3] drew interest from bigger clubs.

Celtic

In March 1976, Doyle transferred to Celtic for a fee of £90,000.[4] He made 168 appearances in the major domestic competitions during his time with the Glasgow club, scoring 35 goals,[5] and also played in UEFA competitions, including scoring against Real Madrid in the 1979–80 European Cup.[2]

During a match against former club Ayr United in August 1977, Doyle was sent off: the referee awarded a free kick for handball against him, but Doyle continued to play on and his attempted cross struck the referee in the face accidentally, knocking him over and leaving him in need of treatment.[6] When the official recovered he issued a red card to Doyle, who reacted furiously, storming off the park and down the tunnel.[7] The dismissal was later rescinded. He had also been sent off playing for Ayr against Celtic a short time before signing for them.[4]

Another memorable fixture involving Doyle in May 1979 also featured a red card: he was dismissed in the second half of a title-deciding Old Firm match against Rangers with his team already a goal down, but they secured a 4–2 victory and the Premier Division title, the feat becoming known among supporters by the slogan '10 men won the league'.[8]

International

While playing for Ayr United, he made his only appearance for the Scottish national team on 17 December 1975 in a 1–1 draw with Romania during 1976 UEFA European Championship qualification. Doyle was substituted alongside Kenny Dalglish after 73 minutes, with Peter Lorimer replacing him.[9] He was the first serving member of the Honest Men to play for Scotland since Bob Hepburn in 1932; none have done so since.[1]

Death

Doyle died in 1981, at the age of 30, when he was electrocuted while working on his new Kilmarnock home.[10] Celtic dedicated their 1981–82 Scottish Premier Division championship to his memory,[11] and he was commemorated in song by Irish/Celtic band Charlie and the Bhoys.[12]

In 2015, Doyle's widow sold his collection of kit and medals at auction;[13] a year earlier a fans' group collectively purchased a Celtic jersey to present to his grown-up children, who had no other mementos from their father's career following a family dispute.[14]

Honours
Celtic[5]
  1. Did not make sufficient appearances in 1980–81 or 1981–82 wins.

References
  1. Focus On Johnny Doyle, The Scotland Epistles Football Magazine, 6 October 2015
  2. Johnny Doyle - a true Celt, Celtic FC, 19 October 2016
  3. The day Celtic legend riled Rangers fans with crucifix celebration as Johnny Doyle inspired Ayr, Daily Record, 10 February 2018
  4. Celtic buy Doyle before the freeze, The Glasgow Herald, 16 March 1976, page 26
  5. Celtic player Doyle, Johnny, FitbaStats
  6. Sore and red faces at Ayr, The Glasgow Herald, 22 August 1977, page 18
  7. Coverage of the incident, YouTube
  8. When 10 men won the league, Celtic FC, 21 May 2012
  9. Johnny Doyle, Scottish Football Association
  10. Blinded by tears and the shock of departure, The Scotsman, 17 May 2008
  11. 15 May 1982 – The Day We Won The League for Doyle, The Celtic Star, 15 May 2019
  12. http://www.charlieandthebhoys.co.uk/johnnydoyle.htm
  13. of Johnny Doyle’s Celtic memorabilia, The Scotsman, 13 January 2015
  14. Celtic legend Johnny Doyle's daughter: my anguish as all dad's keepsakes auctioned, Evening Times, 13 January 2015
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