FAREWELL THE DOC
One of football’s great characters passes away TOMMY DOCHERTY: 1928-2020
MANCHESTER UNITED led the tributes to Tommy Docherty after their former manager died yesterday at the age of 92.
The Doc, as he was affectionately known, passed away at home surrounded by family following a long illness.
The charismatic Scot had a colourful career but will probably be best remembered for leading United back from relegation to beat Liverpool in the 1977 FA Cup final.
United said in a statement: ‘ We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Docherty, who led us to FA Cup victory 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 described him as a ‘legend of our game’. Glasgow-born Docherty started his career at Celtic but made his name as a right-half for Preston North End, playing more than 300 games for the Lancashire club in the 1950s.
He also played for Chelsea and Arsenal, and earned 25 caps for Scotland before retiring in 1962. Docherty had a much-travelled career as a manager, taking charge of 12 clubs — including jobs in Portugal and Australia — and winning the League Cup at Chelsea in 1965.
He also managed Scotland and was on course to qualify for the 1974 World Cup when he was persuaded to succeed Frank O’Farrell at Old Trafford in December 1972 as United struggled in the wake of Matt Busby’s retirement.
Although the club were relegated the following season, Docherty led United back into the top flight with a vibrant new team that went on to reach two FA Cup finals with him in charge. The first finished in a shock defeat by Southampton in 1976, but United returned to Wembley the following year to dash Liverpool’s hopes of the Treble. However, Docherty’s five-year reign came to a controversial end two months later when he was sacked over an affair with the wife of United physio Laurie Brown. Docherty later married Mary Brown and they remained together until his death yesterday.
The couple had two daughters in addition to the four children Docherty fathered with his first wife Agnes. Docherty’s family said in a statement yesterday: ‘Tommy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home. He was a much-loved husband, father and papa and will be terribly missed.’ The Scottish FA and Preston paid their own tributes last night while Alex Stepney, United’s goalkeeper during Docherty’s time in charge at Old Trafford, tweeted: ‘RIP Tommy, the days certainly weren’t dull, rest easy, love to the family.’