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Which Sheffield road could be renamed Derek Dooley Way?
SHEFFIELD Parkway could be renamed Derek Dooley Way in memory of one of the city's best-loved sons.
Labour councillors say one of the main roads in the city should be named after the sporting legend - one of the few men to be loved and respected by fans of both Sheffield Wednesday and United.
Now readers of The Star are being asked what they think of the idea, and which roads they think should be considered.
One idea is to rename the Parkway, while another is to call the new inner ring road after Derek.
Coun Bryan Lodge, Labour spokesman for transport, said: "It would be a fitting tribute to Derek Dooley to name a Sheffield road after him and I am asking Star readers to let me know what they think of the idea.
"I think a road should be named after Derek because he was such a well-loved Sheffield hero.
"He really was 'Mr Sheffield' and had all the qualities respected by Sheffielders - courage, dignity, modesty, and a wicked sense of humour."
Coun Lodge is asking Star readers to contact him with suggestions for roads.
He said: "Someone has suggested the new inner ring road, which forms part of the road which joins the Wednesday and United grounds, and someone else thought renaming the Parkway would be a good idea.
"Whatever Star readers think, if they let me know I will ask a meeting of the full council, with all 84 members present, to decide on it."
What do you think? Add your comment below, write to Your Say, The Star, York Street, Sheffield S1 1PU or email starletters@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk
Derek's daughter Suzanne Tabor said the idea was a "wonderful tribute".
She told The Star: "When my dad first died someone suggested perhaps in the future naming a road after him and we thought that was a nice idea.
"To be honest I just assumed it would be a little tiny road on a small estate somewhere.
"It never ever occurred to me that they would consider re-naming a major road as well-known as the Parkway.
"It's a wonderful tribute to my dad and I must admit the idea of naming the new inner link road after him, because it forms part of the link between the Sheffield Wednesday and United grounds would be very fitting indeed."
Derek was one of Wednesday's top goal scorers during the early 1950s but his career was brought to a terrible and sudden end in 1953. He broke his leg during a match, gangrene set in as he recovered in hospital, and doctors had to amputate his leg to save his life.
In 1971 Derek was appointed manager at Sheffield Wednesday but was cruelly sacked on Christmas Eve, 1973.
Years later he was recruited by Sheffield United as commercial manager. He took on a variety of posts with the Blades including managing director, vice-president, and chairman before retiring in 2006.
Derek died in March, aged 78, at his home in Norton after a long illness. He left wife Sylvia, son Martin, daughter Suzanne, and four grandchildren.
His friends think naming a road in his memory is a great idea.
Neil Warnock, former Sheffield United manager and a close friend of Derek, said: "I would be delighted if that happened, especially if it was the Parkway as it's the main road into the city and it would give Derek the recognition he deserves.
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Latest sport. I really hope the council does this, it’s fantastic.”
Sheffield Central MP and Blades fan Richard Caborn added: “I welcome this idea very much. When Derek was playing they used to talk about ‘doing it the Dooley way’, so it would be very fitting to name the Parkway Dooley Way.
“The road is a main artery into the city and people would really welcome this as a fitting tribute.”
In 2003 Derek was awarded an MBE and an honorary doctorate degree from Sheffield Hallam University. He was made a freeman of the City of Sheffield and, last year, was inducted into the city's Walk of Fame.
n Email bryan.lodge@ sheffield.gov.uk, call 0114 205 3970, or write to Coun Bryan Lodge, Town Hall, Sheffield, S1 2HH.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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