RIP The Doc

Rotherham United have had some more bad news to end 2020 with the news that former Manager Tommy Docherty has sadly passed away at the age of ninety-two.

After starting his playing career in Scotland with Celtic The Doc moved to England in 1949 going on to play over three hundred and twenty-five games for Preston North End before moving to London with Arsenal then Chelsea hanging up his boots in 1962.

Tommy began his managerial career with Chelsea and although he couldn’t help them stay up in his first season ‘Docherty’s Diamonds’ got promoted back to the First Division at the first time of asking. He resigned in October 1967 joining the Millers the following month. He made a promise on arriving at Millmoor saying he would get the club out of Division Two, which he did, down to Division Three.

After leaving Millmoor he spent twenty-nine days with Queens Park Rangers before moving to Aston Villa then onto FC Porto. 1971 saw him take over as caretaker manager of Scotland and was soon given the job on a permanent deal leaving in December 1972 to join Manchester United. Tommy was also manager of Derby County, Queens Park Rangers for a second spell, Sydney Olympic (twice), Preston North End, South Melbourne, Wolverhampton Wanderers and in 1987 his last post was with Altrincham.

All at Vital Rotherham send condolences to Tommy’s family and friends at this sad time.