John Docherty (footballer, born 1940) explained

John Docherty
Birth Date:29 April 1940
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Death Date:[1]
Position:Right winger
Years2:1959–1961
Clubs1:St Roch's
Clubs2:Brentford
Caps2:17
Goals2:2
Caps3:41
Years3:1961–1966
Goals3:9
Clubs3:Sheffield United
Caps4:97
Goals4:31
Years4:1966–1968
Clubs4:Brentford
Clubs5:Reading
Years5:1968–1970
Goals5:8
Caps5:46
Clubs6:Brentford
Years6:1970–1974
Caps6:116
Goals6:33
Clubs7:Queens Park Rangers
Years7:1974–1975
Goals7:0
Caps7:0
Manageryears1:1975–1976
Managerclubs1:Brentford
Manageryears2:1978–1983
Managerclubs2:Cambridge United
Manageryears3:1986–1990
Managerclubs3:Millwall
Manageryears4:1990–1991
Managerclubs4:Bradford City
Manageryears5:1997
Managerclubs5:Millwall
Totalcaps:317
Totalgoals:116

John Docherty (29 April 1940 – December 2024) was a Scottish football player and manager.

Managerial career

Having previously been manager of Cambridge United between January 1978 and 13 December 1983 and Brentford,[2] and briefly coaching at St Clement Danes School after leaving Brentford, his spell at Cambridge United saw the club in the Second Division where they managed respectable finishes, with eighth in 1979–80 being their highest.[3] The following season saw the side as outside contenders for promotion before a late slump saw them finish 13th.[4]

He was appointed Millwall manager in May 1986 following the departure of George Graham to Arsenal. In his second season as manager, he guided them to the Second Division title and gained Millwall their first top division campaign.

Docherty's team performed well in the first half of the 1988–89 season, topping the table at one point. Their form in the second half of the season faded, and their position of 10th place in the final table was their lowest standing all season,[5] but still, this remains their highest league finishing position to date.[6]

The 1989–90 season started well for Millwall, and they again briefly topped the league in September, but won only two more league games all season and were relegated in bottom place.[7] Just before relegation was confirmed, Docherty was dismissed in favour of Bruce Rioch in February 1990.[8]

Docherty's next stop was at Bradford City, in March 1990, who were relegated to the Third Division later that season.[9] He was in charge for 20 months before being sacked on 11 November 1991, to make way for Frank Stapleton.

Docherty returned to Millwall during the 1996–97 season, but by this stage they were in the new Division Two (the third flight of English football) and he failed to emulate his first spell as manager.[10] His contract was not renewed at the end of the season and he was replaced by Billy Bonds.

Personal life

In retirement, Docherty lived in Wiltshire.[11]

Honours

Brentford

Cambridge United

Millwall

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Docherty . 4 December 2024 . www.millwallfc.co.uk.
  2. Web site: League Managers Association – John Docherty . dead . 19 October 2015 . leaguemanagers.com . 18 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210118074628/http://leaguemanagers.com/managers/john-docherty/ .
  3. Web site: Football Club History Database – Cambridge United. fchd.info. 19 October 2015.
  4. Web site: Cambridge United Home Page for the 1980-1981 season - Statto.com. Statto.com. 19 October 2015. 29 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161129144016/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/cambridge-united/1980-1981. dead.
  5. Web site: Millwall Home Page for the 1988-1989 season - Statto.com. Statto.com. 19 October 2015.
  6. Web site: Football Club History Database – Millwall. fchd.info. 19 October 2015.
  7. Web site: Millwall Home Page for the 1989-1990 season - Statto.com. Statto.com. 19 October 2015.
  8. Web site: John Docherty Latest Betting Odds Soccer Base . 19 October 2015 . soccerbase.com.
  9. Web site: Bradford City Home Page for the 1989-1990 season - Statto.com. Statto.com. 19 October 2015.
  10. Web site: Millwall Home Page for the 1996-1997 season - Statto.com. Statto.com. 19 October 2015.
  11. Web site: Wally meets...the manager who put Dean Richards on the road top the big time, John Docherty. mirror. 19 October 2015.
  12. Book: 100 Years of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 391.
  13. Web site: Managers . 21 November 2024 . Manager Stats . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Hall of Fame – Inductees 2024 . 21 November 2024 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  15. Web site: Nine new inductees into Hall of Fame . 21 November 2024 . Cambridge United F.C. . en.