Chelsea FC: Meet The Men Who Have Played For And Managed The Blues
By Lee Fraser
Thomas Docherty – Manager
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Thomas Docherty became manager on 26th September 1961, 3 days after playing the last of his 4 games for Chelsea FC. He was the epitome of the 1960’s, flamboyant, a maverick and rebellious!
During his tenure as manager he promoted from the junior squad future legends Chopper Harris, Peter Houseman, Peter Osgood and a future Chelsea FC manager, John Hollins. He also signed the likes of Charlie Cooke, George Graham and another future Chelsea FC manager Eddie McCreadie. His team to this day are still affectionately referred to as Docherty’s Diamonds.
Joe Mears, Chelsea FC’s chairman tolerated the Doc’s tempestuous outbursts because of the style of play and success that he bought to the club. However when Joe Mears passed away in late 1966 the writing was on the wall for Thomas Docherty, and sure enough when The Doc abused a local official on a Caribbean tour Chelsea sacked him in September 1967.
Next: Eddie McCreadie