Doyle continued a proud City family dynasty established by Pardoe and his other Grandfather, the late, great Mike Doyle, as he made his sky-Blue senior bow against the Saints.
The 18-year-old produced an accomplished display as our holding midfielder, earning the praise of manager Pep Guardiola afterwards, as City secured our ticket through to the last eight.
For Pardoe – who still holds the record for being City’s youngest-ever debutant at the age of 15, and who went on to enjoy a superb career with the Club - the joy of seeing Doyle help light up the Etihad gave him an even bigger thrill than anything from his own playing days.
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“Watching Tommy took me right back 57 years ago to when I was 15 and made my City debut. It was tremendous, and I was so, so proud,” Pardoe reflected.
“To see him out there was probably even more exciting for me than when I was playing.
“He’s a great lad, he can play, and he has got a great attitude. To play for City is all Tommy has ever wanted since he was knee-high as a lad and I was kicking a ball with him when he was a four-year-old.
“The hours he has put in and the travelling too, as we live 30 miles away, show his dedication, and he is always looking to learn more and develop.
“I’m confident in him. I know he can play, and I know he can do it, so I didn’t get too worked up watching him play.
“I never given him advice and I didn’t the other night – I sometimes talk to him about what happened in the game, but I can’t make him play football.
“It’s something that is in you, and if you do have it in you then you’ve got a chance.
“Tommy has always been like that. He’s always had a good brain, he always been sharp, he trains hard and that what’s you’ve got to do.”
Guardiola has spoken about the importance of the Club’s close connection with the fans and Doyle’s family lineage is the stuff of City legend.
Glyn Pardoe played 380 times for the Club, with the full-back also winning a raft of trophies while central defensive colossus Mike Doyle chalked up more than 570 appearances, winning five England caps to go alongside his impressive haul of City silverware.
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“With his two Grandads having both played for the Club, City is in Tommy’s genes,” Glyn added.
“He knows all the players from when Mike and I played for the Club too, so it is in his blood.
“His Mum was crying on Tuesday, his Dad was ecstatic, my wife was too… the only sadness was my other daughter was away and unable to be there, but they watched it on TV.
“I also know that seeing him out there at the Etihad would have meant the world to Mike too.
“I went first to City in 1961 and Mike came in six months or so later and we struck up an immediate partnership and then became such firm friends and then, of course through Mike’s son Scott and our Charlotte, family.
“As I say, we all love him to bits and are so proud.”
Looking further ahead, Pardoe also believes that Doyle couldn’t be in a more productive environment as he seeks to further his knowledge and experience.
Pardoe points out that the opportunity to train and learn from Guardiola and City’s supremely talented first team squad will act as the ultimate in helping further develop burgeoning young talent.
“Tommy couldn’t be in a better place under Pep who is such a great manager and who gets the very best out of players,” Glyn added.
“And he’ll benefit so much from playing with all those wonderful players too. They just help make the game easier.
“They want the ball; they pass it and when that happens it becomes an easier game.
“Hopefully now with Tommy it’s the start of something and I just want him to go on and do even better than I did.”
