THEY were old mates and two of Salford's most notorious villains. But when the Manchester 'door wars' erupted in the early 90s 'One Punch' Paul Doyle and 'Mr Big' Paul Massey clashed in the most bloody and spectacular fashion.
Both Doyle and Massey were graduates of Salford's Catholic 'reform schools' and as young men their paths soon crossed as they began carving out fearsome reputations in the city's criminal underworld. It's said Massey even gave his pal his nickname after witnessing him knock out five men in quick succession during a night out at Pips nightclub in Manchester.
From that moment, the underworld legend of 'One Punch' was born. But fast forward to 1993, with gangs jostling to control the drug supply in Manchester's booming club scene, and venues targeted for protection money, Doyle and Massey found themselves at loggerheads.
The roots of the dispute are murky, but in an interview with James English for the Anything Goes YouTube series, Doyle suggested it stemmed from a row over Massey and his Ordsall based firm intruding on what he considered to be rival territory in Salford. In Gang War: The Inside Story of Manchester's Gangs, Peter Walsh says it was sparked by the shooting of Doyle's brother Bradley at the Valentine's club.
And while Doyle insisted he and Massey continued to share a mutual respect, the same couldn't be said for the rest of the crew. Doyle said: "I would never throw punches at Massey, not of fear, but out of friendship. But his firm despised me."
Whatever the reason for the fall-out, when Massey's lads began causing a headache for the pub and club owners of Salford and Manchester, Doyle was the man they went to for help.
"From being the biggest menace in Manchester these club owners are coming to me saying would I bar this firm from nightclubs?" Doyle told English. "If I've got this firm coming to me anyway I'm thinking 'Why not earn something??
This story is from the October 01, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 01, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Rodri's importance to Blues is laid bare
IF there is an argument for how good a player Rodri is then you need look no further than City right now.
City players walking a fine line over yellow cards
CITY are potentially just two matches away from losing a quartet of players during the hectic festive season.
Home comforts offer long-term hope to Super League Salford
SALFORD Red Devils have finally received the news they were waiting for, with Salford council confirming the acquisition of the club's stadium.
Just the ticket for a festive treat, despite nearly choking on a dry stuffing ball
THEY say the best things in life are worth waiting for.
A cut above the rest
A mobile barber from Bolton has been shortlisted as one of the top 100 small businesses in the country. Jignesh Madhavji, owner of Jiggi mobile barbershop, was shortlisted among 99 other businesses and was celebrated during an event at the House of Lords.
Man sheds NINE STONE after theme park shame
Machine operator has made a big transformation after he used to consume 4,000 calories a day
Last days of Owens Park
FOR many, the tower referred to as Owens Park will have been their first home in Manchester.
Insurance worker in data breach
A CAR insurance worker abused his position to divulge hundreds of customer private details to 'claims farmers! Rizwan Manjra, 44, was employed by Markerstudy Insurance Services Limited (MISL), based in the Arndale Centre in Manchester city centre, leading a team that processed accident claims.
Has the crackdown on crime gone too far?
Crime reporter John Scheerhout looks at GMP's recent use of dispersal orders in the region
The fight to bring hero soldier Dan's case before courts
Efforts continue to locate man named as a suspect in the investigation into unlawful killing of paratrooper.
