Doyle will miss doing bit for fans after Junior Bairns cancellation

Today would have been the Junior Bairns’ Easter coaching afternoon with the first team players.
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But due to the ongoing coronavirus closure for sport across Scotland, the young supporters were left as disappointed as the first team players who always enjoy their training session with the kids, as the event was cancelled.

For some, it’s a chance to get to know the fans better, for others, like Michael Doyle it’s yet more interaction with the support.

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The defender is a popular figure for his jokes at the Junior Bairns day and regularly asked for pictures at games – something he’s only too happy to do. He even ended up playing header-tennis with some fans during the pre-match warm-up at Airdrie earlier this season.

Michael Doyle is a fan favourite. Picture: Michael DoyleMichael Doyle is a fan favourite. Picture: Michael Doyle
Michael Doyle is a fan favourite. Picture: Michael Doyle

Speaking before the coronavirus closure affected football, and subsequently cancelled the Junior Bairns’ autograph session, Doyle told The Falkirk Herald: “I like to get quite involved in the fans’ days and the Junior Bairns events. There were a few young fans up [at Peterhead] who called me over for a picture after meeting me at the last Junior Bairns day – it’s a long way to go for a game of football. It’s a long way for us to go for a game of football and we’re playing in it but we gave them a good result back in January and a day out.

“They asked for a picture and I was only too happy. Some kids have gone on to be mascots and they’ve brought me presents and it’s really nice, humbling and it’s good to have a relationship like that with the fans.

“There was another time at Clyde where we’d been beaten and one of the dads shouted me over for a picture and – bear in mind we’d just been beaten and I was gutted - but I said of course and headed over... I ended up playing with them for half an hour, kicking a ball about and going in goals for them!”

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It’s all about giving a little back and forms the backbone of the feelgood factor Lee Miller and David McCracken aimed to restore when they stepped into the managerial role late last year.

Speaking at the Christmas event Miller told The Falkirk herald: “The Junior Bairns is always a cracking day and the boys love getting involved in it. It is a massive part of what both David [McCracken] and I are trying to do here - we are trying to keep the fans and club together and close with the community.”

And Doyle admits it’s treating others the way he’d hope to be when he was a young fan growing up.

He added: “I remember being that age as well and for a football player to come over and speak, play or just spend time it means a lot. It means a lot to me now as a player too because it’s important to get involved with the fans because we are a family-based club and are all in this together at the end of the day. We try our hardest for them and we really appreciate them.”

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The Junior Bairns will aim to organise another event with the players as soon as it is safe and possible to do so. Organiser Sarah Scott will be in touch with members over renewals in July, and arrangements when appropriate.