John Docherty
Encyclopedia
John Docherty is a Scottish
former football player and manager.
Having previously been manager of Cambridge United
between January 1978 and December 13, 1983, and Brentford
. His spell at Cambridge United saw the club in the Second Division where they managed respectable finishes, with eighth in 1980 being their highest. The following season saw the side as outside contenders for promotion before a late slump saw them finish 13th.
He was appointed Millwall manager in May 1986 following the departure of George Graham
to Arsenal
. In his second season as manager, he guided them to the Second Division
title and gained Millwall their first top division campaign.
Docherty's team performed well in the first half of the season, topping the table at one point. Their form in the second half of the season faded, and their position of 10th place in the final table was their lowest standing all season, but still, this remains their highest league finishing position to date.
The 1989–90 season started well for Millwall, and they again briefly topped the league in September, but won only two more league games all season and were relegated in bottom place. Just before relegation was confirmed, Docherty was dismissed in favour of Bruce Rioch
in February 1990.
Docherty's next stop was at Bradford City
, in March 1990, who had been relegated to the Third Division
in 1990. He was in charge for 20 months before being sacked on November 11, 1991, to make way for Frank Stapleton
.
Docherty returned to Millwall during the 1996–97
season, but by this stage they were in the new Division Two (the third flight of English football) and he failed to emulate his first spell as manager. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season and he was replaced by Billy Bonds
.
He now lives in retirement in Wiltshire
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former football player and manager.
Having previously been manager of Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
between January 1978 and December 13, 1983, and Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. His spell at Cambridge United saw the club in the Second Division where they managed respectable finishes, with eighth in 1980 being their highest. The following season saw the side as outside contenders for promotion before a late slump saw them finish 13th.
He was appointed Millwall manager in May 1986 following the departure of George Graham
George Graham (footballer)
George Graham is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his success at Arsenal, as a player in the 1970s and then as manager from 1986 until 1995.-Early life:...
to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. In his second season as manager, he guided them to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title and gained Millwall their first top division campaign.
Docherty's team performed well in the first half of the season, topping the table at one point. Their form in the second half of the season faded, and their position of 10th place in the final table was their lowest standing all season, but still, this remains their highest league finishing position to date.
The 1989–90 season started well for Millwall, and they again briefly topped the league in September, but won only two more league games all season and were relegated in bottom place. Just before relegation was confirmed, Docherty was dismissed in favour of Bruce Rioch
Bruce Rioch
Bruce David Rioch is an English-born football manager and former player. He was manager of Aalborg BK in the Danish Superliga, until his sacking on 23 October 2008....
in February 1990.
Docherty's next stop was at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, in March 1990, who had been relegated to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in 1990. He was in charge for 20 months before being sacked on November 11, 1991, to make way for Frank Stapleton
Frank Stapleton
Francis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
.
Docherty returned to Millwall during the 1996–97
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
season, but by this stage they were in the new Division Two (the third flight of English football) and he failed to emulate his first spell as manager. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season and he was replaced by Billy Bonds
Billy Bonds
William Arthur "Billy" Bonds MBE is a former professional footballer and manager, who is most often associated with West Ham United with whom he spent 27 years as player and manager...
.
He now lives in retirement in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
External links
- John Docherty, Neil Brown