HE brought the city to a standstill for one last time.
Sheffielders stood and wept in the rainy streets when their hero was so terribly wounded 55 years ago and they shed a tear again at his final departure yesterday.
Derek Dooley, goalscorer supreme, football man, family man and a true Sheffield legend.
A man of whom no-one could ever find a bad word to say brought the last applause in a life filled with the affection of his home city at his funeral at Sheffield Cathedral.
They stood in their thousands outside, Wednesday and United shoulder to shoulder in the same cold spring sunshine that blazed through the stained glass of the cathedral onto the 700 or so packed inside.
This was a funeral for Sheffield royalty and the great and good turned out in force to pay their respects to their departed king.
Sir Bobby Charlton was there, a man who would have marvelled at young Dooley's goalscoring feats as a teenager, Peter Swan and David Layne were there, Reg Brealey, Dave Bassett and Keith Hackett were there.
Tony Agana and Brian Deane walked into church like they were strolling up the Bramall Lane tunnel together, Mick Jones, Tony Currie, David Hirst, Mitch Ward, Alan Kelly, John Barnwell and Dickie Bird were there.
Derek Dooley's wife Sylvia walked behind the coffin of her life's love helped by their son Martyn, followed by daughter Suzanne and tearful grandchildren the image of their extraordinary grandfather.
Bishop Jack spoke warmly of Derek Dooley's unique place in the history of the city: "I have been a priest for 40 years and never have I met more universal praise for anyone than I have for Derek Dooley. In newspapers, on radio and TV, on the streets, in the homes and in the pubs of this city, everyone speaks with deep affection for Derek and the hearts of us all go out to Sylvia and the family in their sad loss."
Dave Bassett, a man who counted Dooley among his true friends told stories and talked too much like he always did.
Neil Warnock spoke of the help and support Dooley gave him in bad times.
"Derek was a giant of a man in every respect," said former United manager Bassett who spoke of Derek's tough side and his sense of humour.
He told how one day United kit man John Greaves forgot the team shorts and said to Dooley and Bassett: "I'm sorry gaffer I haven't got a leg to stand on."
"I know how you feel," quipped Dooley.
Blades fan Neil Warnock spoke of the best day of his life when he was offered the Sheffield United job by Dooley and said there were many times when he had offered him his support.
"He knew when to knock on my door when things weren't right.
More on next pageREAD MORE OF OUR DEREK DOOLEY COVERAGESheffield says final farewell: With video and pictures from the funeral.See tributes to Derek from our readers and add your own message in our book of condolenceHere's a song to unite both Blades and OwlsThanks for everything DerekFuneral address for city's great sonReflections on his life and timesYOUR LETTERS: Wednesday's messiah and country's greatestYOUR LETTERS: Let's have a statue we can all shareMain news indexSport headlinesThe full article contains 581 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
