TOMMY DOCHERTY 1928-2020
No- nonsense Scot with a trail of memories
TOMMY DOCHERTY, the Manchester United manager who denied Liverpool an historic treble, has died aged 92.
Known as The Doc, he was one of football’s most colourful and controversial characters throughout a playing career that lasted
14 years and a managerial one that stretched for another 27.
The image of him dancing for joy with the FA Cup lid on his head after beating Liverpool at Wembley in 1977 is one of the most iconic in United’s history. A United statement said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Docherty, who led us to FA Cup victory in 1977 with a thrilling, attacking team in the best traditions of Manchester United.
“Everyone at the club sends sincere condolences to Tommy’s loved ones.”
Chelsea, his final club as a player and his first as a manager, said: “Everybody at Chelsea is very saddened – Tommy was a legend of our game.”
TRIBUTES have been paid to Tommy Docherty, the firebrand former Manchester United, Chelsea and Scotland boss, who has died at the age of 92.
Outspoken and uncompromising, Docherty was a unique character, never short of an opinion, a wisecrack or words of wisdom from his storied life in football.
Docherty, below, made more than 300 appearances for Preston North End and won 25 caps for Scotland, representing his country in two World Cups.
But he is best remembered for his nomadic managerial career, during which he took charge of a dozen clubs, including United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Porto, Derby and QPR, as well as a stint with Scotland. Docherty spent four- and- a- half years in charge at Old Trafford, taking them straight back up to the First Division in 1975, following their relegation from the top- flight in 1974.
Glasgow- born Docherty also took United to successive FA Cup finals in 1976 and 1977, lifting the trophy in the latter to deny arch- rivals Liverpool an historic treble.
United played with a swagger under Docherty, who restored the club’s attacking heritage made famous under Sir Matt Busby.
But his time in charge of United came to an abrupt end two months after the 1977 FA Cup win, when he was sacked after an extra- marital affair with the wife of club physio Laurie Brown.
Docherty would famously remark he was “the only manager to be sacked for falling in love”, as he went on to marry Mary, with whom he had two daughters and remained with until his death.
He was never able to get over the controversial manner of his exit, which destroyed his relationship with the club. Docherty once asked for tickets to a United game and received them – along with an invoice for the cost. He never took the tickets, angered by United’s parsimony and lack of loyalty to a former manager.
In contrast, every Christmas he would receive a card and a hamper from Chelsea, despite having left them more than four decades earlier.
After serving in the Army, Docherty joined Celtic before moving to Preston at 21, where he would spend the bulk of his playing days. Alongside Tom Finney, he helped Preston to promotion to the top flight in 1951, where they twice finished as runners- up in the old
First Division, as well as reaching the FA Cup final in 1954.
His playing career took in spells at Arsenal and Chelsea, the latter where he began his managerial career in 1961, spending six years in charge at Stamford Bridge.
From there, his itinerant managerial career began, taking in spells at Rotherham, QPR, Villa, Porto and Scotland before arriving at Old Trafford in 1972.
Docherty set about revamping United, jettisoning legends such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best, to build a new team centred around arou younger players, including includi Sammy McIlroy, Brian Bria Greenhoff, Gordon Hill Hil and Steve Coppell.
After United, he took charge of Derby, returned for a brief spell at QPR, before other short- lived stints. He retired in 1988 after one season at Altrincham.
After the end of his career, Docherty carved out a successful role on the after- dinner speaking circuit and would often appear on TV to offer his forthright opinions.
He died at his home in Marple yesterday after a short illness. A family spokesperson said: “Tommy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home.”