Former boxing star Tommy Doyle paid tribute to his dad Chris, who passed away. The 32-year-old took to social media and posted a photo with his father while he was champion.
His touching tweet read: “Dad, my hero I love you so much. Thank you for teaching me everything. Sleep well my best pal. I’ll sort the job out down here I promise you and I promise to take care of Mum and my brothers.”
The senior Coyle was a very popular and respected figure in their local city of Hull for being the face - and voice - of Coyle and Sons: The Original Barrow Boys fruit and vegetable stall. In 2018, Chris spoke to Hull Live about what it was like running his market stall.
He said: "I get up every day at around 2.45am and then come here and build the stall from scratch so we can open at 6am. Everything is fresh from me being here in the morning. We sell and then we finish up at around 6.30pm. I get home about 9.00pm but I love it.
"We're famous for strawberries and we do sell nearly all of them but we do work with seasonal produce so the stock can change throughout the year."
Chris was the brains behind the very successful operation and Coyle and Sons is the hub at the centre of the Hull city centre and has been in operation for over 15 years. He was also very passionate about sport which his sons Tommy and younger brothers Joe, Lewie and Rocco took from him.
Tommy went on to become the Commonwealth Lightweight Champion, while Joe took up professional golf. Lewie has played for his local side Hull city since 2020 and Chris’ youngest son Rocco, is currently on a two-year scholarship at the same club.
Speaking about his four boys, Mr. Coyle gushed: "They're all professional sportsmen now but they love the fruit. I like it because I've found a way to work for myself. I've got great kids and a great wife, Debbie. She's still a school teacher. We've been together for 31 years now. We met when we were just out in the pub one night and that was it, now we have four sons."
