I remember going in to Denis Woodhead's sweet shop on South Road when I was a kid of about 12, living in Hoole St.

Who should come out to serve me one day but Derek - the great man himself - in the flesh. I just gaped speechless until he laughed and shoved a penny lolly in my gob. It still had the wrapper on. What a great football icon.
Brian Sellars, Lower Westwood, Bradford on Avon

I got to know Derek very well when I worked at Sheffield United FC and I found out what a real gentleman he was.

Derek was a friend of my cousin Andy Brown when they were children and teenagers and Andy was very proud of his friend Derek. Unfortunately Andy died on November 3, 2004 and even though the funeral was on a Friday before a big game at the lane Derek attended because he wanted to pay his respects to his old mate.

Recently I wrote to Derek to ask if he would sign my copy of his autobiography but the following day I read in The Star that Derek was in Chesterfield hospital. T

hat night my daughter Hayley, who works in the Sheffield United FC ticket office, came home and said she had received a message from Derek saying he would sign my book when he came out of hospital.

Alas I never got my book signed but I have many great memories of Derek to keep me smiling and it shows how he cared as there he was in hospital awaiting surgery and he took the trouble to get a message to me.

Thanks for being a great role model Derek and I only hope I can pass some of your qualities onto my children.
Kevan Smith, Sheffield 2

There have been many ideas on memorials for us to remember Derek Dooley by. Here is one idea that I'd like you to consider.

"The Derek Dooley way" from Hillsborough to Bramall lane - linking both sides of steel city football.

There would be a statue at each end of "Derek Dooley way", the statue at the Hillsborough end would be Mr Dooley as a young man, a footballer, in his Wednesday kit, the statue at Bramall Lane would be Mr Dooley in his later years, a chairman, and gentleman.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Dan Hall

What an unassuming likeable man he was an example of what football once was and should be, he played for the love of the game not for the love of money as most players do to-day.

I don't think that a statue of Derek should be placed at Bramall Lane it should be sited in Fargate with just the words DOOLEY and his birth and death dates.

He didn't belong to either Wednesday or United but to the city.
Vin Malone, Sheffield 14

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