Derek Dooley

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Derek Dooley, MBE (born 13 December 1929 in Pitsmoor, Sheffield) was an English football player, manager and chairman, and is a legend in Sheffield where he has occupied all of his roles. He is respected by both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United supporters alike.

He started his football league career with Lincoln City in 1946, but made only 2 appearances for the Imps before joining Sheffield Wednesday. In his time at Hillsborough he was a prolific goalscorer for Wednesday. Between 1949 and 1952 he scored 62 goals in 61 appearances for the owls, and it seemed only a matter of time before he would win full England honours.

That all changed on 14 February 1953, when he collided with the Preston goalkeeper George Thompson at Deepdale and broke his leg. After complications with gangrene set in, he lost his leg by amptuation.

Dooley later returned to Sheffield Wednesday as manager between 1971-1973. Following his sacking on Christmas Eve 1973, he swapped his allegiance and moved to neighbours and rivals, Sheffield United.

Initially taken on as Commercial Manager, he went on to have a variety of roles including the role of managing director before taking on the job of chairman of United's Football Club board.

In 2003 he was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List and later the same year an honorary doctorate degree from Sheffield Hallam University. He has also been made a freeman of the City of Sheffield.

He has been an instrumental figure in the resurgence of the club which has seen the Blades return to the Premiership after an absence of 12 years. In April 2006, however, with the club still celebrating promotion, Dooley announced his resignation of the chairmanship to take up the role of Vice-President.

Derek still lives in Sheffield with his wife Sylvia in the home they have shared since the 1950's. He has a son Martin and daughter Suzanne and four grand-children including one named after the sporting hero. He has now retired.