Tommy Docherty RIP
ALL at Queens Park Rangers were deeply saddened to have learned of the passing of former R’s manager Tommy Docherty at the age of 92.
Thomas 'Tommy' Docherty was born on April 24th 1928 in Glasgow, Scotland.
A right half in his playing days, Docherty made over 300 appearances for Preston North End, having joined them from Celtic. After leaving Preston in 1958, the then Scotland international joined Arsenal before ending his professional playing career at Chelsea.
It was in 1961, with Chelsea, that Docherty would start his near 30-year managerial career. He became Rotherham United boss in 1967 and in 1968 he had the first of three spells as QPR manager.
Having been at loggerheads with Chairman Jim Gregory over the signing of a player in one of his first meetings as manager, his time in charge would last just 28 days. His four-game stint concluded with the R’s beating Nottingham Forest.
Docherty would lead Aston Villa, FC Porto, the Scotland National Team, Manchester United and Derby County before returning to W12 in 1979.
He led the R’s to a fifth-place finish in the Second Division in his first season in charge, with young players Clive Allen, Gary Waddock, Paul Goddard and Dean Neal all being given regular opportunities to shine in the first team.
Another fallout between Docherty and Gregory resulted in him leaving the club by mutual consent at the end of that season but, following a player revolt, he was reinstated as boss nine days later, ahead of the start of the 1980/81 season.
His ‘third’ spell in charge would only last 10 league games, however. After failing in an attempt to sign Andy Ritchie from his former club Manchester United, “Doc” announced that Ritchie should not sign for Chelsea because he was too good for the Second Division, despite the R’s competing in the same league themselves.
R’s chairman Gregory made Docherty apologise to the Chelsea chairman and following a goalless draw with Leyton Orient – and with Rangers towards the bottom of the second tier – he was dismissed and left the club for a third and final time.
After leaving the R's, Docherty would go on to manage Sydney Olympic on two separate occasions, Preston North End, South Melbourne, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Altrincham. He retired from management in 1988.
He passed away on New Year's Eve following a long illness. Our thoughts are with Tommy's family at this upsetting time.
May he rest in peace.