Patrick Joseph Gerard Boyle (born 20 March 1987) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left-back. He is player/assistant manager at Gartcairn in the West of Scotland football league after rejecting a new contract at Dumbarton.
Boyle represented Scotland at under-19 level and has previously played for Everton, Norwich City, Crewe Alexandra, Dumbarton, Partick Thistle Clyde, Dunfermline Athletic, Gateshead, Airdrieonians, Ayr United, Peterhead and Kelty Hearts.
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Career
Everton
Born in Glasgow, Boyle signed terms for Everton's academy in 2003, from Scottish side Livingston. He performed well in his first two years for the academy and reserves and in July 2005, the defender was rewarded with a one-year professional contract. Boyle was named on the substitutes bench for a FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea in March 2006. In the summer of 2006, he signed a one-year extension to his contract and made his first appearances for the first team in the 2006 pre-season.
Boyle joined Championship side Norwich City on a one-month loan deal and made his début for the club on 16 September against Crystal Palace at Carrow Road. His loan spell at Norwich ended on 17 October, due to Boyle suffering a back injury, which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2006–07 season.