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DEREK DOOLEY FUNERAL : Sheffield weeps for favourite son
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 page
READ MORE OF OUR DEREK DOOLEY COVERAGE
Sheffield 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 condolence
Here's a song to unite both Blades and Owls
Thanks for everything Derek<a
Funeral address for city's great son
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
Main news index
Sport headlines The players were proud of him, looked on him as a father and treated him as one of their own.
"What price would he have fetched today as a player? A centre forward scoring all those goals? Derek didn't have the big mansion or the flash cars and he was not a millionaire but he had integrity and respect and you can't buy them at any price.
"Chairman, you have gone but you will never be forgotten."
Applause echoed off the facades of the Cathedral and the Cutler's Hall as the cortege drove through the crowds to take Sheffield's most loved son to his final resting place.
There can be no man in the history of Sheffield that has united the people of the city in such a positive and life-affirming way.
Farewell Derek Dooley, you made this city proud.
More on next page
READ MORE OF OUR DEREK DOOLEY COVERAGE
Sheffield 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 condolence
Here's a song to unite both Blades and Owls
Thanks for everything Derek<a
Funeral address for city's great son
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
Main news index
Sport headlinesTHOUSANDS of mourners gathered at Sheffield Cathedral to say a final farewell to "Mr Sheffield" Derek Dooley.
Those who could not get into the building gathered outside to hear the moving ceremony, led by the Bishop of Sheffield Jack Nicholls.
Footballing legend Derek, admired by Blades and Owls fans alike, died at home last week, aged 78.
Sheffield city centre echoed to the sound of applause as mourners and fans paid their respects to one of Sheffield's favourite sons by clapping as his coffin was carried in and out of the cathedral.
Around 700 people - including family members and familiar faces such as Dickie Bird, Richard Caborn, Sir Bobby Charlton, Tony Currie and the Sheffield United team - were seated inside while thousands gathered outside to listen.
Some mourners carried Sheffield Wednesday or Sheffield United scarves to pay tribute to the man accredited with uniting red and white with blue and white.
More than 7,000 service sheets were printed in preparation for the crowds.
Tributes to Derek, who played for Sheffield Wednesday before an accident cut his pitch career short, were led by former Sheffield United managers Dave Bassett and Neil Warnock who met Derek while he was chairman at the Bramall Lane club.
Both managers raised mourners' spirits by recalling amusing anecdotes and paying tribute to Derek's "great sense of humour".
Dave Bassett, who managed Sheffield United between 1988 and 1995, described Derek as "genuine" and said he "always knew where he stood" with the popular "family man".
He added: "He was generous, a very generous man in the way he gave his time and his love for his family.
"He was enormously respected - if you go to any football club, wherever it is, Derek Dooley was revered and respected. They loved him for what he was."
Neil Warnock, manager at Bramall Lane from 1999 until 2007, referred to Derek as "Mr Sheffield" and spoke emotionally about "a great man" who "never complained" and always supported him.
He recalled a friend telling him that following Derek's footballing accident in his 20s, in which he broke his leg and later had to have it amputated, the plucky player vowed to carry on, saying "I want to continue in football even if I have to be a corner flag".
Derek's wife Sylvia and his children and grandchildren led the mourners.
Family and friends went on to a private reception and a separate reception was being held at Bramall Lane today which everyone who attended the service was told they were welcome to attend.
READ MORE OF OUR DEREK DOOLEY COVERAGE
Sheffield 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 condolence
Here's a song to unite both Blades and Owls
Thanks for everything Derek<a
Funeral address for city's great son
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
Main news index
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
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