Derek Dooley Inducted As A "Sheffield Legend"
| Published: 7th December 2007 14:53 |
03 December 2007
DEREK DOOLEY INDUCTED AS A 'SHEFFIELD LEGEND'
One of Sheffield's most respected footballers, Derek Dooley, is to be inducted as a Sheffield Legend on Tuesday (4 December) when he will unveil his plaque outside the Town Hall.
Derek was born on 13 December 1929 in Pitsmoor, Sheffield and is one of the few footballers in the city to earn the respect from both sets of the city's two main football clubs.
Derek joined Sheffield Wednesday from Lincoln City and became a prolific goal-scorer for the Owls. Between 1949 and 1952 he scored 62 goals in 61 appearances and it seemed only a matter of time before he would win full England honours.
But that all changed on 14 February 1953, when he collided with the Preston goalkeeper George Thompson at Deepdale and broke his leg. After complications when gangrene set in, he lost his leg by amputation.
Dooley later returned to Sheffield Wednesday as manager between 1971-1973 and when he parted company with the Owls, he moved to neighbours and rivals, Sheffield United.
Initially taken on as Commercial Manager, he went on to have a variety of roles including the role of Managing Director before taking on the job of Chairman of United's board.
In 2003 Derek was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List and later the same year an honorary doctorate degree from Sheffield Hallam University. He has also been made a Freeman of the City of Sheffield.
Derek was an instrumental figure in the resurgence of the club which saw the Blades return to the Premiership after an absence of 12 years. In April 2006, however, with the club still celebrating promotion, Dooley announced his resignation of the Chairmanship to take up the role of Vice-President.
Derek still lives in Sheffield with his wife Sylvia in the home they have shared since the 1950's. He has a son Martin and daughter Suzanne and four grand-children including one named after the sporting hero. He has now retired.
Councillor Jan Wilson, Leader of Sheffield Council commented: "Derek is one of the true gentlemen of football and is still respected by football supporters across the city and beyond. It is wholly appropriate that he should be inducted as a Sheffield Legend in a city that has such a proud footballing tradition."
Copyright Sheffield City Council
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