A DENTON football club formed in tragic circumstances has expanded – and may get even bigger again.
Dom Doyle FC has added Dom Doyle Athletic to its stable as another Sunday side after taking on the former Audenshaw Athletic.
But secretary Billy Hustler revealed ambitions to grown even further, with the hopeful addition of a second Saturday league side and at least one extra junior team.
However, the lack of quality 3G and 4G pitches in the area may hold them back.
“We’re trying to look for a second Saturday side but we’re still in the early stages,” Mr Hustler said.
“We should know by the end of June if it’s possible to do.
“We were looking to set up a third Sunday side, we had to sit down and have a chat with the manager at Audenshaw Athletic as there’s things like paperwork for registrations and referees’ fees to take into account.
“Dom Doyle Athletic will play in the Tameside League after agreeing to come under our umbrella.
“We’ll have an Under-13 team next season after fielding an U12 side last season but we’ll be looking to get another junior side in our ranks as well.
“What is now the U13s is a good team with plenty of potential. We’re a good team but we’re just getting together really as it was our first year as a new team.
“We want to become really big in the future but to do that, we’ll need access to good 3G or 4G pitches.”
Dom Doyle was formed after friends of a young man who was stabbed to death in Denton got together and things have grown from there.
On Saturdays, Dom Doyle FC won Lancashire and Cheshire League, Division One with a win on the final day of the season against Parrs Wood Celtic who finished second.
The Sunday side of the same name finished fourth in Tameside League, Division One but won the Divisional Cup by beating local rivals Denton Cricket Club 4-1. They were also promoted to the Premier Division.
And Dom Doyle Rangers walked away with the Manchester FA’s Sunday Amateur Cup by beating Salford Colts and the Tameside League’s Fred Davies Cup.
It is not just on the field where Dom Doyle has earned recognition as their fans were nominated for the Manchester FA’s Grassroots Award for Supporters of the Year.
“We don’t know who nominated us,” Mr Hustler added ahead of the ceremony on July 12 at Manchester’s Midland Hotel.
“It’s for the people who are on the outside of the club and we’ve got people who come to our games who are nothing to do with the club.
“Sometimes if Dom Doyle Rangers don’t have a game, the lads will come down to watch Dom Doyle FC, that’s why we’ve been nominated and we’re really proud to have been.”