Scottish football player Ben Doak is a talented winger who is known for his blistering pace, dribbling ability, and fearless style of play. He began his career at Celtic, where he made his senior debut at just 16. In 2022, he joined Liverpool’s academy, quickly rising through the ranks and earning first-team opportunities under Jurgen Klopp, making him one of the most exciting prospects in Scottish football.
In the 2025 summer transfer window, Ben Doak sought a transfer to Bournemouth from Liverpool for a fee of around £25 million with a buy-back option. Last season, the winger was on loan at Middlesbrough and played a crucial role at the club.
Upon his move to Bournemouth, Ben Doak has changed his name to Ben Gannon-Doak, as he wants to reflect both parents in his name moving forward. By adopting the double-barrelled surname, the young Scottish winger aims to carry forward the identities of both sides of his family while making his mark in professional football.
Ben Doak was born into a supportive football-loving family in Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother, Deann Doak, is a stylist and color technician, while his father, Graham Gannon, works as a self-employed joiner. Football runs in his blood, as his grandfather, Martin Doak, was also a professional player with over 300 appearances for Greenock Morton.
Deann Doak, the mother of Ben Gannon-Doak, holds a degree from the University of the West of Scotland, and his father, Graham Gannon, attended St. Michael’s Academy in Kilwinning.
Gannon-Doak loves to take on defenders and create chances, making him one of Scotland’s brightest young prospects. With more experience and sharper finishing, he has the potential to become a key player for both club and country in the future. The youngster was signed by Bournemouth to replace Luis Sinisterra, who is set to join Brazilian side Cruzeiro on loan.
Fans reacted to this announcement in a very weird way. Some started trolling him with jokes and memes about the name change, while others showed support, praising his decision to honor both of his parents. The mixed reactions quickly made the news a hot topic on social media.
A few people called his name as a character from any cartoon/movie series, whereas Liverpool fans started questioning the strategy behind the name change.
@ToonMouthTyne wrote, “Sounds like a Star Wars Character.”
“Bro really unlocked the double-barrel DLC mid-season.” stated @SoulScripts007
A user trolled by saying “Or was it that Bournemouth wanted to make more money on shirt sales? More letters more money” @alextrixer
Some Liverpool fans commented under the post showcasing their fear.
@BackseatmanLFC wrote, “What if our buyback only applies to Ben Doak? Bournemouth have done us here.”
“How come he never did this when he was at the club with us though?” @Lpool_5843 stated.
After his move to Bournemouth, Ben Gannon Doak seemed happy and said, “I’m buzzing to be here. I feel like it’s the right time for me, and it’s a great opportunity to play regular football at the highest level. It feels like the perfect fit.”
This clearly shows that the youngster was eager for more playing time and saw Bournemouth as the ideal place to continue his development, gain experience, and showcase his talent on a consistent basis.
