Aston Villa is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Tommy Docherty, who has died at the age of 92.
The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Tommy’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
Popularly known as ‘The Doc’, he was in charge at Villa Park for just 13 months yet it was one of the most significant in the club’s history.
When he was appointed by new chairman Doug Ellis in December 1968, troubled Villa were struggling in the old Second Division.
And although relegation to the Third Division looked inevitable by the time he was sacked in January 1970, The Doc’s sheer presence had restored the belief of the claret-and-blue faithful and provided a springboard for an era which culminated in League Championship and European Cup glory.
If Docherty’s time at the helm was short, it was never dull. The former Scotland international left an indelible mark on this famous club.
He was quick-witted, too, and some of his one-liners have become part of Villa folklore.
Having cut his managerial teeth over a six-year period at Chelsea, Docherty had a year with Rotherham United before spending just 28 days as boss of QPR.
When he arrived at Villa shortly after Ellis had been elected chairman, it seemed to be a perfect fit as a team who had seemed destined for relegation made a miraculous recovery.
Starting with a 2-1 home win over Norwich City, Villa enjoyed a 13-match run-in which they lost only once and safety was assured.
The fans responded, too. Where gates had been falling, more than 41,000 turned up for the Boxing Day victory over Cardiff City, while 59,084 packed into Villa Park for a Fourth-Round FA Cup replay against Southampton.
The momentum, unfortunately, was not maintained.
Although supporters kept the faith, Docherty’s initial impact was not sustained the following season and it was late September before the team recorded their first league win.
There was no happy Christmas this time around. On January 19, with the club rooted to the bottom of the Second Division, Villa and Docherty parted ways and an incredible chapter of our history was at an end.
Docherty’s career certainly wasn’t. During the course of the next 18 years he was in charge of nine different club sides as well as having a spell as Scotland manager.
That preceded five years at Manchester United, who he led to FA Cup glory against Liverpool in 1977.
He also managed in Australia, as well as having brief spells in charge of Preston North End – for whom he had played for 11 years – and Wolves.
Rest in Peace, Tommy
