Derek Dougan started his career as a centre-half and was capped for Ireland at schoolboy level before joining Distillery where he won youth and amateur recognition for his country. Switching to centre-forward, he joined Portsmouth in the summer of 1957 but after just 33 games for them, he joined first division Blackburn Rovers. At Ewood Park he scored 25 goals in 59 league games and was in the Blackburn side that lost the 1960 FA Cup final to Wolves. Following Gerry Hitchens departure to Inter Milan, Aston Villa paid £20,000 to bring the popular Irishman to Villa Park. After making his debut in the opening game of the 1961-62season he suffered various injuries but still scored 12 goals in 27 appearances during that campaign. The following season he scored his only hat-trick for Villain a 6-1 FA Cup win over Peterborough Utd. He moved to Peterborough in the summer of 1963 for £25,000 before having a spell with Leicester City again for £25,000 where he scored 35 goals in 68 league games.

In March 1967 Wolves manager Ronnie Allen secured his services for £50,000 and in just over eight seasons at Molineux he scored 123 goals in 323 games. Chairman of the PFA and the winner of 43 caps for Northen Ireland, he helped Wolves win promotion to the 1st Division at the end of his first season with the club, scoring 9 goals in 11 games including a hat-trick on his Molineux debut on 25th March 1967, in a 4-0 win over Hull City. He was Wolves top scorer in 1967-68 with 17 goals including a hat-trick in the 6-1 defeat of Nottingham Forest. He topped the scoring charts again the following season and in 1971-72 he helped Wolves reach the final of the UEFA Cup. He won a League Cup winners medal in 1974.

After leaving the first-class game in May 1975, he managed Kettering Town, then in 1982 seven years after leaving Molineux he returned as chairman and chief executive, a position he held only briefly before circumstances forced him out of office.

The east Belfast man was an advocate for an all-Ireland football team and an outspoken chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

After he retired, Dougan was involved in a diverse range of projects including standing as an independent candidate against sitting East Belfast MP Peter Robinson in a parliamentary election.
He was also a newspaper columnist and wrote an autobiography entitled The Sash He Never Wore.

Dougan was a friend of George Best and carried his coffin at the former Manchester United star's funeral in December 2005.

He also played for Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Peterborough United and Leicester City.
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The Derek Dougan Testimonial

Derek Dougans testimonial was held at Molineux on Monday 20th October 1975

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Derek Dougan's Wolves Career 

Sadly Dougan died from a heart attack on the 24th June 2007, he was given a good send off from Wolves fans who lined the streets to say goodbye to the legend.

From www.wolves.co.uk: Wolverhampton bade farewell to Derek Dougan at a packed St Peter's Church in the city centre this afternoon.
Family and friends of the striker were joined by club officials including manager Mick McCarthy, some of his former team-mates along with some of the game's greats.

Gold and black clad supporters surrounding the entrance to the Church burst into applause as the funeral cortege arrived. Derek's coffin was in gold and black with the club's logo and a number 10 on either side along with the name 'Doog'.
The service began with a recording from 'Les Miserables' called 'Bring Him Home' and, after prayers there was an introductory tribute from BBC television's Nick Owen before the congregation sang 'Abide With Me'.
Derek's niece, Josephine Long gave the reading and then the congregation sang 'Oh Danny Boy' before further tributes from former Wolves skipper Mike Bailey, former Stoke City star Terry Conroy and Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.

More participation followed with the crowd singing along to 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Then Derek's partner, Merlyn Humphreys read a moving tribute before Nat King Cole's wonderful rendition of 'Unforgettable' filled the church. Merlyn announced it was one of the Doog's favourites.
After a short speech and introduction from Derek's son Nicholas, his other son Alexander sang a self penned song 'Praise The Lord'.
Another reading and the sermon was followed by an anthem from the St Peter's Choir and then the hymn 'Lord of all hopefulness'.
After the Commendation and Farewell, the coffin was carried from the church to the sound of Brian Kennedy singing 'You Raise Me Up'.
Hundreds of supporters assembled at Molineux as the cortege halted briefly before making its way to Bushbury Crematorium for a private family service.

Manchester United legend Denis Law said of the Doog: "He was a terrific player and I never liked it when he was in the opposition side. He was too good and it's so sad to see him go. I feel for his family and friends."
Phil Parkes, so often the goalkeeper in Derek's eight years with Wolves, said: "He was a larger than life character and the turn out today proves his popularity.
"As a player he was one of the greats but the camaraderie he brought to the dressing room was priceless. It was fantastic having him around."

Another of Derek's long-time team-mates, John McAlle, added: "I spent eight years with him at Wolves and have many fond memories.
"I still smile about when he used to miss the occasional 'sitter'. He would look directly at the supporters and they would all shout back 'Unlucky Derek'. Then he'd turn to us (the players) and we'd do the same - 'Unlucky Derek'. That was the man's charisma.
"It took me six years to finally pass him on a run in training. He was a very fit man. And he was always laughing, joking and encouraging you. He will be sadly missed."

Amongst the guests were Pat Jennings, Sammy Nelson, Johnny Giles, Denis Law, Billy Bingham, Martin O'Neill, Graham Williams, Chico Hamilton, Ron Wylie, Gordon Taylor, Terry Conroy, Brandon Batson, Mickey Evans and Chris Nicholl.

Former Molineux players in attendance included Les Wilson (who had flown in from Canada for the service), Dave Wagstaffe (who acted as a pall bearer) Jim McCalliog, John McAlle, Derek Parkin, Phil Parkes, Mike Bailey, Geoff Palmer, Mel Eves, Malcolm Finlayson, former manager Sammy Chung, Frank Munro, Terry Wharton, Barry Powell, John Holsgrove, Dave Burnside, Ernie Hunt, Martin Patching, Bobby Thomson, Gerry Taylor, Gordon Cowans, Peter McParland and, of course, The Doog.

*Thanks to Kevin Bray for the picture*