- Target:
- The people of Sheffield
- Region:
- United Kingdom
Derek Dooley is One of the few men to transcend both Sheffield football clubs.
His goalscoring record at Sheffield Wednesday is legendary ( 63 apps and 63 goals) a statistic which must surely mark him out as one of the most gifted finishers England has ever produced.
Unfortunately due to a clash with Preston goalkeeper George Thompson he sustained a broken leg which led to his leg having to be amputated and cutting short a career that was destined for the highest level. He went on to manage Wednesday before he was disgracefully sacked on Christmas eve 1973.
The great man Dooley simply used this as the catalyst to open a new chapter of his life and, following a spell working for a sportswear firm, he accepted an invitation to lead United's commercial operations.
After demonstrating his capabilities, he eventually entered the boardroom before retiring in 2006.
As well as these achievements at the top level of the game he never lost touch with his roots, living in the city his whole life and also running local junior football clubs.
In 2003 Dooley was awarded an MBE and an honorary doctorate degree from Sheffield Hallam University.
He was made a freeman of the City of Sheffield and in December 2007 he was inducted into the city's Walk of Fame.
A great man who was a creditto both the football clubs and the city.
We sign to get a fitting memorial erected in the city of Sheffield.
This should be in the form of a statue or some other significant Structure for the great man. It would also be fitting if the statue was built somewhere between the two clubs grounds symbolising how the man was able to transcend the rivalries of the two clubs and be admired by both clubs in equal measure.
Suggestions for the ideal location for memorial should be given in the comments section.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Derek Dooley statue petition to The people of Sheffield was written by Shaun Oates and is in the category Football at GoPetition.