John Docherty: Legendary Millwall manager dies aged 84

Docherty was raised in Glasgow but spent the majority of his football career south of the border in England.

The winger had three separate spells playing at Brentford, as well as stints at Sheffield United and Reading, before ending his career at Queens Park Rangers.

Docherty’s first job in management was back at Brentford before he moved to Cambridge United in 1978.

He took over at Millwall at the ‘Old’ Den in 1986 and the club was promoted to Division One for the first time in their history at the end of 1987-88 season.

The Lions would spend two years in the top flight, a feat they have not achieved since, and briefly topped the table in both seasons. Docherty left the club in February 1990 shortly before relegation was confirmed.

He returned for a brief stint in 1997 with the club in Division Two, which was then the third tier after the formation of the Premier League in 1992.

“His last words were, ‘when’s my next match?’,” his family said in a statement on Millwall’s website.

“Of all the jobs he had, his best memories came from his time at Millwall. He loved the club and all its supporters, we will miss him dearly.”

The club will hold a minute’s applause and black armbands will be worn in memory of Docherty against Coventry on Saturday.