Footballers who have played league football for PNE & Sunderland since 1888
A-K
696) ALLARDYCE Sam (PNE signed Aug 86 93 apps 2 gls) (Sund 25 app 2 gls)
862) ANGELL Brett (PNE signed Feb 2000 15 apps 8 gls) (Sund 10 apps 0 gls)
88) BECTON Tommy (PNE signed 1897/98 4 apps 0 gls) (Sund 14 apps 7 gls)
847) BYFIELD Darren (PNE signed Nov 98 5 apps 1 goal) (Sund 17apps 5 gls)
100) CHALMERS Jimmy (PNE signed 1898/99 10 apps 2 gls) (Sund 27 apps 5 gls)
223) COMMON Alf (PNE signed 1912/13 35 apps 9 gls) (Sund 41 apps 11 gls)
919) DICIHO Danny (PNE signed July 2005 41 apps 0 gls) (Sund 76 apps 11 gls)
611 DOYLE Stephen (PNE signed July 75 197apps 8 gls) (Sund 100 apps 2 gls)
645) DUNN Barry (PNE signed Oct 81 8 apps 1 goal) (Sund 23 apps 2 gls)
850 GRAY Andy (PNE signed Feb 99 5 apps 0 gls) (Sund 21 apps 1 goal)
655) HINNIGAN Joe (PNE signed Dec 1982 52 apps 8 gls) (Sund 63 apps 4 gls)
595) HOLDEN Mel (PNE signed Sept 72 72 apps 22 gls) (Sund 732 apps 23 gls)
824) KAY John (PNE signed Aug 96 7 apps 0 gls) (Sund 199 apps 0 gls
385) KELLY Bob (PNE signed 1932/33 78 apps 17 gls) (Sund 50 apps 10 gls)
813) KILBANE Kevin (PNE signed July 95 47 apps 3 gls) (Sund 43 apps 8 gls)
Player Profile Stephen Doyle
Stephen Charles Doyle was born in Neath on 2nd June 1958. Before joining Preston, Doyle had trials with Bristol City , Burnley and Manchester United as well as for the Welsh Schoolboys side.
Doyle progress was monitored when he was playing for Afan Lido Sports Centre when the then manager Alan Ball took the opportunity to watch him in action. Although Alan Ball was replaced by Sir Bobby Charlton as manager Doyle was offered an apprenticeship with PNE in July 1974.
During his first season for Preston Charlton realised that the youngster possessed a maturity beyond his years and when an opportunity arose Doyle was awarded his first team debut on 15 November 1974 away at Tranmere. At the age of 16 years and 166 days Doyle was the youngest PNE play in the first eleven.
During the 1974/75 season he made the Welsh youth team. They were drawn against Malta in the preliminary round and easily won a place in the finals of the European Youth Championships held in Switzerland . Doyle made a further 12 appearances during the season for Preston as they finished ninth in the Third Division.
Charlton signed Doyle on Professional terms in June 1975 in one of his last decisions as just three months later Charlton resigned after objecting to the Board decision to sell John Bird to Newcastle .
Harry Catterick became the new manager as Doyle made 24 appearances during the 1975/76 season scoring one goal against Halifax in a 2-1 victory in February 1976. Preston finished one place higher than the previous season in eighth position.
During this season Doyle was again chosen for the Welsh Youth team. Drawn against England the Welsh lost the first leg in Cardiff 1-0. The second leg at Maine Road Manchester there looked little hope for the Welsh qualifying for the finals in Hungary as England took the scored first to take a 2-0 aggregate lead. But Doyle's invaluable league experience gave the Welsh midfield that added ingredient to beat England 3-2.
Doyle played for eight seasons for the Whites as Preston obtained promotion to the Second Division in the 1977/78 season under Nobby Stiles but lost it again at the end of the 1980/81 season.
Despite managerial changes Doyle chose to remain at Preston and made 36 appearances scoring 4 goals during the 1981/82 season under Tommy Docherty and then Gordon Lee.
Doyle's final game for Preston was in the final game of the season in a 3-0 away defeat at Fulham.
Doyle was a strong running tenacious ball winner but his lack of pace prevented Doyle from being the complete midfield player. But the likeable Welshman was not part of Gordon Lee's plans and was surprisingly released by Preston on a free transfer after 197 appearances scoring 8 goals.
After an unsuccessful six week trial with Newcastle Doyle signed for Huddersfield in September 1982 and helped the club the win promotion at the end of the 1982/83 season.
Doyle stayed for four years at Huddersfield making 161 appearances and scoring 6 goals before transferring to Sunderland for over £57,000 in September 1986.
His first season at Sunderland led to relegation to the Third Division for the first time but was part of the squad that bounced back the following season as Third Division Champions.
Doyle made 100 appearances for Sunderland scoring 2 goals before being transferred to Hull for £75,000 in August 1989. Doyle stayed for 15 months making 47 appearances and scoring 2 goals for Hull before signing for Rochdale in November 1990 for £50,000.
Doyle made his debut in a 1-0 home defeat to Carlisle on 24th November 1990. He was best friends with the Rochdale manager Dave Sutton who he had as his best man at his wedding.
Doyle stayed for four and a half years at Spotland until being released on a free transfer in May 1995. He had made 121 appearances scoring 1 goal.
Doyle then moved into non-league football before having spells as a play and manager at Chorley where he was reunited with former Dale boss Dave Sutton.