Sheffield Mourns the Death of Dooley

The former Sheffield Wednesday player and manager Derek Dooley, more recently the chairman of Wednesday's city rivals Sheffield United, has died at the age of 78.

Dooley, a prolific striker, started his career with Lincoln City, but moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 1947, going on to score 63 goals in 63 league and cup games for the Owls. After suffering a broken leg during a game against Preston North End on February 14 1953, however, Dooley contracted gangrene, and his leg had to be amputated.

He returned to Hillsborough as manager on January 29 1971 but was infamously sacked on Christmas Eve 1973, after which he switched allegiances, joining Sheffield United - initially as a commercial manager. Dooley went on to work in a variety of roles at Bramall Lane, becoming a director and later chairman of the club before he was awarded an MBE in 2003. He retired in 2006. "Derek was Sheffield's greatest ever sporting legend," said Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe. "[He was] one of only a few people who achieved the quite incredible feat of winning the utmost respect of football supporters from both sides of the Sheffield divide."

SWFC chief executive, Kaven Walker, concurred, saying: "He will always be remembered with a great fondness by Sheffield football fans and he commanded a massive amount of respect both within the city and across the country. Beyond his involvement with both clubs, Derek was an excellent ambassador for the city of Sheffield and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad and difficult time."

Former sports minister and former Sheffield United director Richard Caborn added: "Derek epitomized 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 for football."