The Man Who Warned Newcastle About McGarry

Portsmouth brought him to England in 1959 and he also played for Blackburn, Aston Villa and Peterborough before joining Leicester.

But it was with Wolves, his sixth English club, where he really found his home after joining them in 1967, helping them win the 1974 League Cup.

Dougan was also capped 43 times by Northern Ireland.
 
In November 1977 Newcastle took on "troubleshooter" Bill McGarry as manager, to sort out the Player Power rebels at St James' Park. An ex-Wolves manager who had some success at Molineux, but not a favourite of The Doug, and I can remember the Wolves player warning Newcastle what they were in for in his book.

Dougan: "We were having a pre-match meal before the big match and one of the players ordered a prawn cocktail for starters. Bill stormed up to him saying 'you do what I do! I don't like prawn cocktail so YOU don't eat it!'

"But that was the sort of man he was, probably due to his time in the army. He was never a popular figure at Wolves with the players, but to his credit, he did get results."

Newcastle were relegated in his first season and McGarry was sacked in 1980.

TRIBUTES TO DOUGAN:

Irish Football Association Jim Boyce: "He was a bit of a legend in Northern Ireland football history.

"It's a very sad day.

"Derek was over in Belfast two years ago when we celebrated our 125th anniversary dinner and he was in good spirits.

"He was known as a jovial character, who always kept people entertained.

"Derek was outspoken. Probably for that, he got some publicity that at times was a little bit unfair to him. He had his own strong views.

"If someone believes in something, it's better to be open and honest about it than saying at times what people might want to hear.

"He was a controversial character as well. But, as I say, he was well respected by Northern Ireland fans.

"In his time, he was an exceptionally good centre-forward. I would describe him in the old mould of centre-forwards.

"He was obviously very, very popular at Wolverhampton, where he spent most of his career."

Terry Neill: "I'm devastated at his passing.

"I think his character on occasions overshadowed his real ability because he was a proper footballer.

"He was much better than a lot of people thought and I realised that on one occasion against Russia at Windsor Park.

"We were struggling quite frankly, but 'Doug' and I played as twin centre-forwards and it was an education to play with him up there, to realise just what a great player he was.

 

"We were both from east Belfast and similar backgrounds and we didn't see eye to eye.

"But, overall, my thoughts now are that Derek should be remembered for what a great footballer he was, and he was a great footballer."