Peter Doherty (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Peter Doherty


fullname = Peter Dermot Doherty
dateofbirth = birth date|1913|6|5|mf=y
cityofbirth = Magherafelt
countryofbirth = Ireland
dateofdeath = death date and age|1990|4|6|1913|6|5
cityofdeath = Blackpool
countryofdeath = England
height = 5.10 ft
nickname = Peter 'The Great' Doherty
position = Striker
currentclub =
youthyears = 19??-1933
youthclubs = Glentoran
years = 1933-1936
1936-1945
1945-1946
1946-1949
1949-1951
clubs = Blackpool
Manchester City
Derby County
Huddersfield Town
Doncaster Rovers
caps(goals) = 089 (29)
133 (81)
015 0(7)
083 (33)
103 (55)
nationalyears = 1935-1950
nationalteam = Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 016 0(3)
manageryears = 1949-1951
1951-1962
1958-1960
managerclubs = Doncaster Rovers
Northern Ireland
Bristol City

Peter Dermot Doherty (June 5 1913 — April 6 1990) was a Northern Irish professional football player and manager.

Playing career

Born in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Doherty began his career with Glentoran in the Irish League before joining Blackpool in 1933/34 at the age of 19. He scored 29 goals in 89 appearances over three seasons. He joined Manchester City in 1936, for whose services the Manchester team paid a then-club record of £10,000. He scored 81 goals in 133 appearances during his time at Maine Road.

During the Second World War years of 1939-1945, Doherty served in the RAF. At the conclusion of the war, he transferred to Derby County. He also went on to play for Huddersfield Town.

tyle of play

A tall (for that time) and naturally gifted talent, Doherty was capable of producing a powerful shot from his left foot. He was also very fast and tricky to play against, with great stamina. As well as his natural talents, he was also a tenacious charcacter, who could not be dismayed. He is regarded by many who saw him play, as Northern Ireland's finest ever Inside Forward.

Management career

He made his final move to Doncaster in 1949, where he assumed the role of player-manager. He later became manager of Northern Ireland (1951-1962), for whom he had sixteen caps as a player. He led the country to the 1958 World Cup Finals. He also managed Bristol City. Later life saw him become a scout for Liverpool Football Club, helping to unearth such talents as Kevin Keegan.

Honours and awards

Doherty won a league championship medal with Manchester City in 1937 and a cup winner's medal with Derby in the 1946 FA Cup Final. His performances earned him the nickname Peter 'the Great' Doherty. He was regarded by the legendary Joe Mercer as the greatest player who ever lived.

He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Doherty died in Blackpool in 1990 at the age of 76.

There is a plaque to mark his birthplace in Magherafelt, it can be found at what is now a local barber's shop.

References

External links

* [http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=2098 Profile at Soccerbase]
* [http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/halloffame.htm English Football Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/old/doherty.html Profile at a Manchester City F.C. fansite]
* [http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SeasideLegendsDetail/0,,10432~72529,00.html Profile at Blackpool F.C.'s official website]