Big Smile Blog Editor, Nicole Addy, tells us about how mydentist has helped a local football team stand out from the crowd with brand new kits

Earlier this year, one of our practice managers, Kelly Doyle (Offerton and Denton), was left devastated after her nephew, Dominic, was killed on a night out in Manchester. I had a touching conversation with Kelly not long after it happened and she told me about the Dom Doyle FC football team which had been set up in his memory.

As a business, we value each and every one of our employees, so if one of them comes to us with an idea or a way we can support one of their causes, we love to get involved.

Kelly had told me how the team were playing in second hand kits, as they had no funds to buy new ones. So over the past few weeks we’ve been designing brand new kits for the team, including a custom crest in special dedication to Dominic.

Recently the team’s first game in their new kits; Kelly messaged us shortly after to say: “The team love the kits, they feel it has given them a boost in morale as the old kits were borrowed so didn’t feel like they belonged.”

The Dom Doyle FC team was set up with the vision of eradicating street violence and getting youths off the streets.  Kelly says: “The team is made up of Dom’s friends but also we have a lot of interest from others that want to play and support. The banter between the lads is great and there is never a dull moment, especially not with Kinny (Wayne Graves) who is the team captain. He keeps the lads’ head in the game and always ensures morale is strong.”

The support the team has received has been exceptional: “It was Dominic’s friends, Rick Dorney and Will Hustler, who had the idea to put the team together and Billy Hustler, who is Will’s dad, manages them.  Rick’s girlfriend’s mum is a charity worker and helped us to set up a committee and everything we need to support the team - she has been a massive help.”

Speaking about the team, Kelly added: ““We as a family really feel it gives us something that we can all relate to and continue to support as it means so much that his friends want to dedicate something to Dom”

We’re so touched we could be a part of the team’s journey as they aim to win the league and fly up to division 1 in the next season. To find out more about the team and how you can support, visit their Facebook page ‘Dom Doyle FC.’