DOOLEY: Wednesday's messiah and country's greatest
I NEVER had the privilege to see Derek Dooley play, but I can still remember how my grandfather, an avid Wednesdayite, idolised him. He looked on him as Wednesday's messiah - the one who would herald a return to the glory days at Hillsborough.
When Dooley so cruelly lost his leg, it broke my grandfather's heart. I don't think that he went to a football match after that, but he did tell me about Dooley's exploits, although his goal scoring record speaks for itself.
I can't remember my grandfather's reaction to Dooley's infamous Christmas Eve sacking by Wednesday, but I imagine it would be one of total disgust.
In a sense, however, it was this incident that precipitated Dooley becoming an even greater Sheffield footballing legend than he already was.
In the normal course of events, it would be unthinkable for someone of Dooley's standing to cross 'the great divide', but that is what he did.
It says so much that a true Owl could also become a true Blade.
As an avid Wednesdayite myself, I like to think that Dooley never lost his first love and that his heart was with Wednesday on derby days.
John Furniss, Duncombe Street, Sheffield S6.
DEREK Dooley was, without a doubt, the greatest football star this country ever knew.
It is a pity he couldn't have fulfilled his ambition to have played for England, but a cruel accident cut his career short.
No other man has earned the respect of supporters from both clubs as Derek has. He had time, no matter how busy, for everyone.
SN Watson, Norfolk Road, Sheffield S2.
READ MORE OF OUR REPORTS ON DEREK DOOLEY
See tributes to Derek from our readers and add your own message in our book of condolence
Here's a song to unite both Blades and Owls
Thanks for everything Derek<a
Funeral address for city's great son
href="http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/DOOLEY-A-world-apart-from.3879453.jp">A world apart from today's millionaire players
Reflections on his life and times
YOUR LETTERS: Wednesday's messiah and country's greatest
YOUR LETTERS: Let's have a statue we can all share
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Friday 10 February 2012
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