Former NI football star 'The Doog' dies

Former Northern Ireland football star Derek Dougan died yesterday evening at the age of 69.

Nicknamed 'The Doog', he was an outspoken advocate for an all-Ireland football team and Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

The ex-Wolves striker died at his home in Wolverhampton during the early hours of Sunday morning.

IFA President Jim Boyce extended his condolences to the Dougan family. He said: "On behalf of all Northern Ireland fans, I would like to express my sincere sympathy to Derek's family. He really was a legend in our football history.

"This is a very sad for everyone associated with Northern Ireland and I remember him as a typical centre who always gave 100% and played for the shirt."

He continued: "He was known as a jovial character, who always kept people entertained. Derek was outspoken and because of that, he got some publicity that, at times, was a little bit unfair to him. He will be sadly missed."

After his retirement, Dougan stood as an independent candidate against sitting east Belfast MP Peter Robinson in a parliamentary election.

He was a newspaper columnist and also wrote an autobiography called 'The Sash He Never Wore'.

The east Belfast man scored 123 goals for Wolves, and helped them win the 1974 League Cup.

(JM/KMcA)