NEIL WARNOCK last night led the tributes for Derek Dooley, who has died at the age of 78.
Dooley, the man who brought Sheffield together, will forever remain a legend in the Steel City after being involved with the Owls and the Blades.
He was one of the greatest goalscorers ever to play at Hillsborough and his astonishing tally of 62 goals in 61 games for Wednesday is a goals ratio that will surely never be beaten.
Dooley, who started his career at Lincoln before moving to Owls in 1947, became one of the most feared strikers in England.
But disaster struck in February 1953 when he collided with the Preston goalkeeper George Thompson and broke a leg.
After complications with gangrene set in, his career was destroyed as his leg was amputated.
He overcame adversity however, becoming Owls boss in 1971 only to be controversially sacked on Christmas Eve 1973.
Loved by both sets of fans
Dooley then moved across the city to United, where he was taken on as commercial manager. He went on to fulfil a variety of roles including chairman at Bramall Lane and was awarded the MBE in 2003.
He retired three years later after Blades had regained their top-flight status.
It says everything about the man that even after crossing the great Sheffield divide, he continued to be loved by both sets of fans.
An emotional former Blades boss Warnock said: “It is a massive loss.
“Derek was like a father to me and the greatest man I have ever met in football.
“He never had a bad word to say about anybody.
“He was loved by both fans. You don’t get that in football these days. Derek suffered a lot of pain after losing his leg but he never grimaced and never complained. He always looked on the bright side.
“He helped me so much at United and I only spoke to him last week about what I am doing at Palace.
“Sheffield will come out in force for his funeral. When I think of Derek, I smile. There will never be another Derek Dooley.”
Ex-sports minister and former Blades director Richard Caborn said: “Derek epitomised everything that was good about sport.
“He was the only person I know who really brought both Sheffield clubs together and was respected by both sets of fans. It is a very sad loss for his family and football.”
The Blades are to name their new junior development centre in honour of Dooley.
Chairman Derek McCabe said: “I have spoken to Derek’s widow Sylvia and she is overwhelmed and pleased that the academy will be named after Derek.
“He never forgot the value of grassroots football so we feel this is an appropriate and fitting tribute.”
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