Editing Tommy Docherty

{{short description|Scottish association footballer and manager (1928–2020)}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|The Doc|The D.O.C.}}
{{For|other people with similar names|Thomas Docherty (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{tone|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tommy Docherty
| image = Tommy Docherty 2017 01.jpg
| caption = Docherty in 2017
| full_name = Thomas Henderson Docherty<ref>{{Hugman|5242|access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|4|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2020|12|31|1928|4|24}}
| death_place = [[Marple, Greater Manchester|Marple]], England
| height = 
| position = [[Wing half|Right half]]
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = 
| years1 = 
| clubs1 = [[Glasgow United F.C.|Shettleston]]
| years2 = 1947–1949
| clubs2 = [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]
| caps2 = 9
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 1949–1958
| clubs3 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
| caps3 = 324
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 1958–1961
| clubs4 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps4 = 83
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 1961–1962
| clubs5 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| caps5 = 4
| goals5 = 0
| totalcaps = 420
| totalgoals = 8
| nationalyears1 = 1951–1959
| nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
| nationalcaps1 = 25
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1952–1953
| nationalteam2 = [[Scotland B national football team|Scotland B]]
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1955<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EEdAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4475%2C5200969|title=Easter Road game should not have been played|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Glasgow Herald]]|page=4|date=22 February 1955|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180659/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EEdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bFkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4475%2C5200969|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
| nationalteam3 = [[Scotland national football team results (unofficial matches)#1955|Scotland A vs B trial]]
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 1958<ref>{{cite news|url=http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/1958+-+Scottish+League+v+Scotland+XI|title=Scottish trial match at Easter Road|newspaper=Glasgow Herald|date=4 February 1958|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809084038/http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/1958+-+Scottish+League+v+Scotland+XI|archive-date=9 August 2014}}</ref>
| nationalteam4 = [[List of Scottish Football League representative players#Players for Scotland XI against SFL XI|SFA trial v SFL]]
| nationalcaps4 = 1
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| manageryears1 = 1961–1967
| managerclubs1 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| manageryears2 = 1967–1968
| managerclubs2 = [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]
| manageryears3 = 1968
| managerclubs3 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
| manageryears4 = 1968–1970
| managerclubs4 = [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]
| manageryears5 = 1970–1971
| managerclubs5 = [[F.C. Porto|Porto]]
| manageryears6 = 1971–1972
| managerclubs6 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
| manageryears7 = 1972–1977
| managerclubs7 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| manageryears8 = 1977–1979
| managerclubs8 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| manageryears9 = 1979–1980
| managerclubs9 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]
| manageryears10 = 1981
| managerclubs10 = [[Sydney Olympic FC|Sydney Olympic]]
| manageryears11 = 1981
| managerclubs11 = [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
| manageryears12 = 1982–1983
| managerclubs12 = [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]
| manageryears13 = 1983
| managerclubs13 = [[Sydney Olympic FC|Sydney Olympic]]
| manageryears14 = 1984–1985
| managerclubs14 = [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
| manageryears15 = 1987–1988
| managerclubs15 = [[Altrincham F.C.|Altrincham]]
}} 

'''Thomas Henderson Docherty''' (24 April 1928 – 31 December 2020), commonly known as '''The Doc''', was a Scottish [[Association football|football]] player and manager. Docherty played for several clubs, most notably [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], and represented [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] 25 times between 1951 and 1959. He then managed a total of 13 clubs between 1961 and 1988, as well as the [[Scotland national football team|Scotland national team]]. Docherty was manager of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] between 1972 and 1977, during which time they were relegated to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] but promoted back to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] as champions at the first attempt.

==Playing career==
===Club===
Born in Shettleston Road in Glasgow's east end, Docherty began his playing career when he joined [[Scottish Junior Football Association|junior football]] club [[Glasgow United F.C.|Shettleston]]. The turning point in his playing career came in 1946 when he was called up for [[national service]] in the [[Highland Light Infantry]].<ref name="Wolves">{{cite web|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/club/history/wolves-managers/|title=Club Managers From 1885 to Today|website=[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]|access-date=21 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926105929/https://www.wolves.co.uk/club/history/wolves-managers/|archive-date=26 September 2020}}</ref> While completing his national service, Docherty represented the [[Army Football Association|British Army]] at football. On demobilisation, he was offered a contract with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in 1947. Docherty would later say that [[Jimmy Hogan]], the club's coach, was his greatest influence.<ref name="Total Football">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/nov/22/sport.comment2|title=How total football inventor was lost to Hungary|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=12 September 2010|date=22 November 2003|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180716/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/nov/22/sport.comment2|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

In November 1949, after spending over two years with Celtic, he moved to England and joined [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]. With them he won the [[1950-51 Football League Second Division|1951]] [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] title and got to the [[1954 FA Cup Final]]. Altogether Docherty made close to 300 appearances for the club.<ref name=LEP>{{cite web|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/the-big-interview-tommy-docherty-1-137886|title=The Big Interview: Tommy Docherty|newspaper=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]|date=10 November 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032942/https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/the-big-interview-tommy-docherty-1-137886|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> He left [[Deepdale]] in August 1958 to join [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] for £28,000 (£{{Inflation|UK|28000|1958|r=-3|fmt=c}} today). With them he made 83 appearances, scoring once. He then went to play for [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] where he brought an end to his playing career in 1962.<ref name=Arsenal>{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/tommy-docherty|title=Tommy Docherty|website=[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180701/https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/tommy-docherty|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

===International===
At Preston, Docherty received the first of his 25 full [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] international [[Cap (sport)|caps]]. His solitary goal came in a 7–2 defeat by [[England national football team|England]] in 1955.<ref name=caps/> He was part of the Scotland squads that played at the [[1954 FIFA World Cup|1954]] and [[1958 FIFA World Cup]] finals which were held in Switzerland and Sweden, respectively.<ref name=caps>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=113141&lid=1|title=Tommy Docherty|website=[[Scottish FA]]|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180726/https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=113141&lid=1|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
===Chelsea===
In February 1961, Docherty was offered the post of player-coach of [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. Less than twelve months later, upon [[Ted Drake]]'s departure and with the club facing [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] from the top flight, Docherty took over as manager. He was unable to keep the club in the First Division and the team was relegated at the end of the [[1961–62 in English football|1961–62]] season.<ref name="Chelsea">{{cite web|url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/31/tommy-docherty-1928-2020|title=Everybody at Chelsea Football Club is very saddened to learn of the death of our former manager Tommy Docherty|publisher=[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180719/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/31/tommy-docherty-1928-2020|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

During his first year in charge he sold many of the club's older players and brought in new ones such as [[Terry Venables]], [[Bobby Tambling]], [[Peter Bonetti]] and [[Barry Bridges]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/809789/tommy-docherty-man-united-chelsea-dies/|title=Tommy Docherty, who led Man United back to top-flight after relegation, dies aged 92|website=[[Talksport]]|date=31 December 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052749/https://talksport.com/football/809789/tommy-docherty-man-united-chelsea-dies/|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> He also changed the club's home colours, switching from white shorts to blue shorts, the combination that remains as of 2022. The team, nicknamed "Docherty's Diamonds", achieved promotion back to Division One in their first attempt and finished fifth the following year. In [[1964–65 in English football|1964–65]], Chelsea won the [[1965 Football League Cup Final|League Cup]] in April with an [[Aggregate score|aggregate]] win over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], but in the FA Cup were beaten 2–0 in the semi-final by eventual winners [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref name="Chelsea"/> In that season the club finished third in the league which is the best performance since [[1954–55 Chelsea F.C. season|1954–55]], the season Chelsea won their first league title.

Docherty led Chelsea to the FA and the [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] semi-finals a year later, before reaching the [[1967 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] in 1967, which they lost to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. He resigned in October 1967. The core of the team Docherty had put together, including [[Peter Osgood]], [[Charlie Cooke]], [[Ron Harris (English footballer)|Ron Harris]], Bonetti and [[John Hollins]], went on to win the FA Cup and [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]] under Docherty's successor, [[Dave Sexton]]. A decade later Sexton succeeded Docherty as manager of Manchester United.<ref name="Chelsea"/>

===Rotherham, QPR, Aston Villa, Porto and Scotland===
The month following his departure from Chelsea, Docherty became manager of [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]. He said of his year there: "I promised I would take Rotherham out of the Second Division – and I took them into the Third. The old chairman said 'Doc, you're a man of your word!'"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/tommy-docherty-says-hall-fame-surpasses-caps-1553512|title=Tommy Docherty says Hall of Fame 'surpasses caps'|newspaper=[[The Scotsman]]|date=12 November 2013|last1=Halliday|first1=Stephen|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180741/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/tommy-docherty-says-hall-fame-surpasses-caps-1553512|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> He was then appointed manager at [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], only to leave 29 days later after arguing with the club chairman over transfer policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/tommy-docherty-career-manchester-united-b1780972.html|title=Tommy Docherty: The managerial maverick who won far more fans than trophies|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=31 December 2020|author=Ivan Ponting
}}</ref> He then became [[Doug Ellis]]' first manager at [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in December 1968, for 13 months. On 19 January 1970, with Aston Villa bottom of the Second Division, Docherty was sacked.<ref name="LMan">{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/tommy-docherty/|title=Tommy Docherty|website=[[League Managers Association]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035859/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/tommy-docherty/|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>

From there he went to [[F.C. Porto|Porto]], where he stayed for 16 months before resigning in May 1971, having failed to usurp [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] and [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]].<ref name="Skyobit">{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12017/12176453/tommy-docherty-former-manchester-united-and-scotland-manager-dies-aged-92|title=Tommy Docherty: Former Manchester United and Scotland manager dies aged 92|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180725/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12017/12176453/tommy-docherty-former-manchester-united-and-scotland-manager-dies-aged-92|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> On 2 July 1971, he was appointed by [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] as assistant manager to [[Terry Neill]], but on 12 September he left to become the caretaker manager of [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]], with that position becoming permanent in November 1971.<ref name=BBCScot>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/27629084|title=Tommy Docherty still regrets leaving Scotland for Man Utd|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=14 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201145828/http://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland/27629084|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> Scotland were on course to qualify for the [[1974 FIFA World Cup|1974 World Cup]] under Docherty,<ref name=BBCScot/> having won both of their matches against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] in [[1974 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8|qualification Group 8]]. Docherty managed 12 Scotland games, the last of which was a 2–0 home win against the Danes in November 1972.<ref name=RSSSF/> He left the job a month later and was succeeded by [[Willie Ormond]], who secured qualification for the World Cup by winning a home match against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] in September 1973.<ref name=RSSSF>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot-intres1975.html|title=Scotland – International Matches 1971–1975|website=[[RSSSF]]|date=8 October 2020|first1=Alan|last1=Brown|first2=Gabriele|last2=Tossani|access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref>

===Manchester United===
[[1972–73 Manchester United F.C. season|In December 1972]], Docherty attended a match that [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] lost 5-0 to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]; in the [[Selhurst Park]] boardroom afterwards he was offered the Manchester United job by [[Matt Busby]]. <ref name=BBCScot/> His first game in charge of United was against [[Leeds United]] at [[Old Trafford]]. The game finished 1–1, with [[Ted MacDougall]] scoring one of his few goals for United. Although United were in serious trouble when he took them over, because of an ageing squad, he managed to keep them in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] in [[1972–73 in English football|1972–73]]. The [[1973–74 in English football|1973–74 season]] saw United continue to struggle and they were eventually relegated to the Second Division.<ref name=LEP/><ref name=BBCScot/><ref name=HerScot/>

In the following season, United returned to the top flight as Second Division champions. In [[1975–76 in English football|1975–76]] they finished in third place in the First Division and also reached the [[1976 FA Cup Final]], but lost 1–0 to [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] who were then in the Second Division. Docherty led United to the FA Cup final again in [[1977 FA Cup Final|1977]], this time as underdogs, and beat league champions Liverpool 2–1.<ref name=LEP/><ref name=BBCScot/><ref name=HerScot/>

Shortly afterwards news that Docherty was having an extramarital affair with Mary Brown, the wife of a United [[Physical therapy|physiotherapist]], became public. He was sacked in a blaze of publicity in July 1977 and replaced at Old Trafford by Dave Sexton, the same man who had followed him into the manager's office at Chelsea. The affair also resulted in the end of his marriage to Agnes, who had been his wife since December 1949. In 1988, Docherty married Mary,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/12/31/tommy-docherty-scotland-manchester-united-manager-roller-coaster/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2020/12/31/tommy-docherty-scotland-manchester-united-manager-roller-coaster/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tommy Docherty, Scotland and Manchester United manager with a roller-coaster career – obituary|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=31 December 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the couple remained together until his death in 2020. After his sacking, Docherty had a frosty relationship with the club.<ref name=LEP/><ref name=HerScot>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14998278.The_Doc_will_see_you_now__Tommy_Docherty_on_returning_to_Glasgow__his_Celtic_memories_and_why_he_won__39_t_be_back_at_Old_Trafford/|title=The Doc will see you now: Tommy Docherty on returning to Glasgow, his Celtic memories and why he won't be back at Old Trafford|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Herald Scotland]]|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032139/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14998278.The_Doc_will_see_you_now__Tommy_Docherty_on_returning_to_Glasgow__his_Celtic_memories_and_why_he_won__39_t_be_back_at_Old_Trafford/|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref><ref name=BBCScot/>

===Later career===
Docherty became manager at [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in September 1977, where he stayed for two seasons before resigning in May 1979.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tommy-docherty-derby-county-manager-4846733|title=Former Derby County manager Tommy Docherty dies aged 92|newspaper=[[Derby Telegraph]]|date=31 December 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052752/https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tommy-docherty-derby-county-manager-4846733|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> His next appointment was at Queens Park Rangers in May 1979.<ref name="LMan"/> When he took over at [[Loftus Road]], Rangers had been relegated to the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] (three years after almost winning the league title) and he had to lift the team's spirits to start the new season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/club/history/|title=History|publisher=[[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052750/https://www.qpr.co.uk/club/history/|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> QPR finished the season four points short of promotion to the First Division. In May 1980, Docherty was sacked by chairman Jim Gregory, then reinstated after just nine days away. In October 1980, he was sacked for the second time in five months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55501754|title=Tommy Docherty: Former Man Utd and Scotland boss dies|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 December 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180709/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55501754|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

This was followed by a short spell in Australia coaching [[Sydney Olympic Football Club|Sydney Olympic]] in 1981.<ref name="Guardian"/> He returned to England in July that year to manage Preston North End,<ref name="LMan"/> where he had spent nine years as a player. He left after a few months, returning to Australia to manage [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]] until the following year. He also managed Sydney Olympic again in 1983.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/tommy-docherty-former-manchester-united-and-scotland-manager-dies-aged-92|title=Tommy Docherty, former Manchester United and Scotland manager, dies aged 92|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052750/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/31/tommy-docherty-former-manchester-united-and-scotland-manager-dies-aged-92|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref>

===Wolverhampton Wanderers===

Docherty returned to England once more with [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] just after their relegation from the First Division in 1984. He was sacked just over a year later, however, when Wolves had suffered a second successive relegation, eventually going on to suffer a third relegation in a row the season after Docherty's departure.

Docherty's time at Wolves was to be a tough task. The club had once been three times champions of England in the 1950s and had also hosted [[Budapest Honvéd FC|Honved]] under the floodlights at the [[Molineux Stadium]] in 1954, pioneering the way for European club football.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-12-13 |title=The night Wolves became 'champions of the world' against Honved |first=Nick |last=Miller |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/13/wolves-world-champions-honved-molineux-hungary-wembley |access-date=2023-01-29 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> They had since gone on to be finalists in the [[1972 UEFA Cup final|1972 UEFA Cup]] and winners of the 1980 League Cup where [[Andy Gray (footballer, born 1955)|Andy Gray]] scored the winning goal after setting a British transfer record when signing for the club.<ref>{{Citation |title=Wolverhampton-Nottigham Forest 1-0 League Cup Final 1979-80 HQ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekephV2RDMA |language=en |access-date=2023-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gray reflects on the original big deal |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2009/09/08/gray-reflects-on-the-original-big-deal/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en}}</ref>

The club Docherty was taking over as Manager was far away from the historic club Wolves had once been with the chairman in 1978 bankrupting the club with the rebuilding of the Molineux Street stand. A rescue package had to be brought in place during 1982, with the club just hours away from going out of business it was purchased by the Bhatti Brothers, two Saudi Arabian businessmen with help from club legend [[Derek Dougan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=From 1958 to 2010 – What Molineux could have been |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/07/22/from-1958-to-2010-what-molineux-could-have-been/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolves' bankruptcy in 1982, 40 years on: How former players are still giving something back in old gold and black |url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11095/12643522/wolves-bankruptcy-in-1982-40-years-on-how-former-players-are-still-giving-something-back-in-old-gold-and-black |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>

The brothers were property developers and wanted to develop the land around the stadium but when the council did not grant them permissions they sought to build a supermarket adjacent to the Molineux stadium. Relationship with the club soured and the club was receiving no investment and involvement from the brothers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-22 |title=Decade of Decline: Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1980s |url=https://footballwhispers.com/blog/decade-decline-wolverhampton-wanderers-in-1980s/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=footballwhispers.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Following relegation from the top flight the previous season, several key players left the club, including goalscorers [[Mel Eves|Mel Eaves]] and [[Wayne Clarke (footballer)|Wayne Clarke]], as well as [[Tony Towner]] and second highest club appearance holder [[Kenny Hibbitt]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wollaston |first=Steve |date=2013-03-13 |title=Nostalgia gallery: Wayne Clarke |language=en-GB |work=BirminghamLive |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-nostalgia-gallery-wayne-1742185 |access-date=2023-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-05 |title=Flying winger Tony 'Tiger' Towner immortalised in children's TV programme |url=https://inparallellines.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/to-me-to-you-rotherham-winger-tony-tiger-towner-is-chuckles-hero/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=In parallel lines |language=en}}</ref>

"Tommy Docherty came in as manager and he knew I didn't want to be around to see the club in such dire straits", commented Hibbitt when interviewed on his thoughts on leaving Wolves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The ex-Wolf - Kenny Hibbitt |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/07/10/the-ex-wolf-kenny-hibbitt/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en}}</ref>

Docherty would also have problems leading into the season with first choice goalkeeper [[John Burridge]], who was making demands of the club but instead of meeting these, Docherty promoted 17 year academy player [[Tim Flowers]] into goal, where he remained for the season with Burridge also leaving the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tim Flowers {{!}} SaintsPlayers.co.uk |url=https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/tim-flowers/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Doc Failed To Cure Wolves' Ills |url=https://www.wolvesheroes.com/2011/12/11/doc-failed-to-cure-wolves-ills/ |access-date=2023-01-29}}</ref>

The [[1984–85 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Season|1984-85 season]] began at home to [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in front 14,908 fans. After a good start to the season, later progress started to slowly disintegrated and the club found themselves bouncing around position 13th - 15th position in the table by November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheffield United (H) 1984/85 |url=https://wolvescompletehistory.co.uk/sheffield-united-h-1984-85/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Wolverhampton Wanderers |language=en-US}}</ref>

Wolves were misfiring but despite this, Docherty allowed defender [[Geoff Palmer (footballer)|Geoff Palmer]], having played 394 times for the club, to move to Burnley. Palmer was a very experienced defender and with him leaving, this left a far less experienced team to that which had finished the previous season. Palmer left the club believing he had fallen out if favour with Docherty and cited that "the club just wasn't a nice place to be at the time, it wasn't being run properly, and was on its knees."<ref>{{Cite web |title=From fan to a Molineux great, Geoff Palmer played in every division for Wolves |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2020/12/03/from-fan-to-a-molineux-great-geoff-palmer-played-in-every-division-for-wolves/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en}}</ref>

Shortly afterwards, Wolves endured a 21-match winless run in all competitions (19 of those in the Second Division). Pressure was mounting in January 1985 and former fan favourite and now Chairman [[Derek Dougan]] eventually resigned from his position on the board.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-22 |title=Decade of Decline: Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1980s |url=https://footballwhispers.com/blog/decade-decline-wolverhampton-wanderers-in-1980s/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=footballwhispers.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The season performances would also see the club be beaten 5-1 on three occasions. Two were televised live on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] and the other away at [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] on the day the club were officially relegated. Docherty's final game at home was against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], where Wolves secured just their eighth victory of the season in front of only 4,422 fans. Wolves finished the season bottom of the table and Docherty left the club in July 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Huddersfield Town (H) 1984/85 |url=https://wolvescompletehistory.co.uk/huddersfield-town-h-1984-85/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Wolverhampton Wanderers |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1984/85 Canon League Second Division |url=https://wolvescompletehistory.co.uk/1984-85/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Wolverhampton Wanderers |language=en-US}}</ref>

When asked about his time at Wolves Docherty said: "I could hardly say 'no' when a club as famous as that came in for me... But it was a hopeless task really. There was no money. I wasn't sure I'd be able to work with Derek Dougan but I accepted the challenge anyway. As for the Bhattis, I only met them twice – once when they hired me and once when they fired me".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Doc Failed To Cure Wolves' Ills |url=https://www.wolvesheroes.com/2011/12/11/doc-failed-to-cure-wolves-ills/ |access-date=2023-01-29}}</ref>

Docherty took up his final managerial position at [[Altrincham F.C.|Altrincham]]. He retired from management at the end of the [[1987–88 in English football|1987–88 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://extra.ie/2020/12/31/sport/soccernews/tommy-docherty-tributes|title=Manchester United lead tributes to former boss Tommy Docherty|publisher=[[DMG Media#Other services|Extra.ie]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052750/https://extra.ie/2020/12/31/sport/soccernews/tommy-docherty-tributes|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Docherty married his first wife, Agnes, in December 1949, after he left his native Scotland to sign for Preston North End.<ref name="IrishExaminer">{{cite news|title=Football mourns Tommy Docherty, the irrepressible Scot who always had a one-liner|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40199376.html|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101052751/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40199376.html|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> They were married for 27 years until Docherty announced his affair with Mary Brown in 1977.<ref name=HerScot/> Docherty and Agnes had four children together: [[Mick Docherty|Mick]] (himself a former professional footballer and manager), Thomas Jr., Catherine and Peter. After marrying Mary Brown, he had two more children – daughters Grace and Lucy – who were born during the 1980s.<ref name="IrishExaminer"/> Agnes died in September 2002 at the age of 73.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J5dVTfElhdIC&pg=PT280|title=Tommy Doc: The Controversial and Colourful Life of One of Football's Most Dominant Personalities|first=David|last=Tossell|publisher=[[Random House]]|date=10 October 2013|isbn=9781780575094|via=Google Books|access-date=15 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101205105/https://books.google.com/books?id=J5dVTfElhdIC&pg=PT280|archive-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> In 2008, Tommy Docherty Jr. released a book, ''Married to a Man of Two Halves'', which was based on memoirs and newspaper cuttings which he had discovered when clearing out his mother's house after her death.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sportsbookofthemonth.com/?page=showreviews&book_id=260|title=Sports Book of the Month.com|publisher=SportsBookOfTheMonth.com|access-date=15 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180726/http://www.sportsbookofthemonth.com/?page=showreviews&book_id=260|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

Docherty died on 31 December 2020, aged 92, following a long illness.<ref name="Skyobit"/>

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Preston North End'''<ref name=Arsenal/>
*[[Football League Second Division]]: [[1950–51 Football League Second Division|1950–51]]
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: [[1953–54 FA Cup|1953–54]]<ref>{{cite book |first1=Leslie |first2=Jack |last1=Vernon |last2=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 |year=1977 |publisher=Brickfield Publications Ltd |location=London |isbn=0354-09018-6 |page=490}}</ref>

===Manager===
'''Chelsea'''<ref name=LMA>{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/tommy-docherty/|title=Tommy Docherty|website=League Managers Association|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035859/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/tommy-docherty/|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[1964–65 Football League Cup|1964–65]]
*FA Cup runner-up: [[1966–67 FA Cup|1966–67]]

'''Manchester United'''<ref name=LMA/>
*Football League Second Division: [[1974–75 Football League Second Division|1974–75]]
*FA Cup: [[1976–77 FA Cup|1976–77]]; runner-up: [[1975–76 FA Cup|1975–76]]

'''Scotland'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/managers/?mid=187807|title=Tommy Docherty (Scottish Managers)|website=Scottish FA|access-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180705/https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/managers/?mid=187807|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
*[[British Home Championship]]: [[1971–72 British Home Championship|1971–72]] (shared)

===Individual===
*[[Scottish Football Hall of Fame]]: 2013<ref name=HOF>{{cite web|url=https://scottishfootballhalloffame.co.uk/tommy-docherty/
|title=Tommy Docherty {{!}} Inductees 2013|website=[[Scottish Football Hall of Fame]]|access-date=23 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231180733/https://scottishfootballhalloffame.co.uk/tommy-docherty/|archive-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Scotland national football team captains]]
*[[List of Scottish football families]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{NeilBrownPlayers|player/tommydocherty}}
* {{soccerbase|id=1232|name=Tommy Docherty}}

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