I hope that this is appropriate today, having been to the funeral this morning.....


Derek Dooley


Now Sheffield is in mourning
A city is in tears
For an all time Sheffield legend
Respected throughout the years

He started off in blue and white
A young man full of skill
Scoring goals was so much fun
A real future to fulfil

And then there came a fateful day
For playing it was the end
But like the great he really was
He wasn’t beaten then

From pitch to boardroom he made the move
And took it in his stride
Respected throughout the football world
He bridged the Sheffield divide

Red and white and blue and white
All hold him in esteem
The only man to unite the fans
A football man supreme

A kindly man, a gent, a fan
A Sheffield lad through and through
A legend, but a humble man
Honest, straight and true

We’ve lost him now, but don’t forget
The man that walked round here,
His goals, his stature, our city’s son,
We’ll always hold him dear

And so, Derek Dooley, you left your mark
Your passing is so sad,
But generations revere your name,
You’re a legend, you Sheffield lad.

Thats fantastic!!! :D

Exactly scottie brought a tear to the eye.
That poem should be enscribed someplace.

Nicely put Barnie.

top drawer barnie

Barnie,
Very well compiled.

Deserving of far wider appreciation, than just these pages.

Great stuff fella, well done.:)

Thats great, youre very talented. I agree, it should be inscribed somewhere as a fitting tribute to the man x

Thanks to all the above!

Quite taken me aback has that, so I've sent it to Mick Rooker and John Garrett at 'the lane', to see what they think.

Thanks to all the above!

Quite taken me aback has that, so I've sent it to Mick Rooker and John Garrett at 'the lane', to see what they think.

Nice one Barnie, maybe they can have it engraved onto a plaque and place it in the tunnel so the players can touch it before they go out onto the pitch :thumbsup:

He did the impossible and crossed over to Red and white from us and still both sides of the city remember him fondly,will prob never happen again.
Statue outside Town Hall would be appropraite

Excellent work barnie41.
You captured everything right there.
You have a real talent and it deserves preserving as has been suggested.
Well done and thank you :thumbsup:

That brought tears to my eyes. well written, and i agree with CB it should be placed in the tunnel so players can touch it before they run out onto the pitch just like Warnock used to kiss the Blades crest :)

Barnie - hope I have not infringed any copyright, but I just HAD to copy this, print it out and show it to all the members in the Queens Social Club. It went down an absolute storm with both Owls and Blades fans. I have left a copy pinned to their noticeboard for those that come in Sunday night.
One chap (big Wednesday fan that actually saw him play) asked me if I could print him a copy so that he could show people in the pub he goes in at Rotherham.
No problem - take this one I said to him. He asked me if I could go on the internet to personally thank you for penning such a marvellous piece of poetry. I told him it would be a pleasure.
On behalf of everyone that read it this afternoon - THANK YOU.

davep - What can I say to that? I'm astounded that people think so much of it - and very proud too!

I'll see what the blades say about it, buut one way or another its going to the family in due course.

I'm really touched actually, and thanks for letting the fans see it.

That's a great tribute

Also as a Wednesday fan, I'd also like to say a big 'well done' to Neil Warnock for his very inclusive, non-partisan tribute at the Cathedral. It was top drawer.

Dave Bassett's reflection that directors know nothing of football, during his own tribute, was a reminder of that awful Christmas Eve all those years ago..... a lack of integrity and humanity by that Wednesday Board and in complete contrast to Derek's own.

It's time to make good. Whatever United do at the Lane, Wednesday should still get together with the Council and sort something for the city centre for Derek was a true working class hero, probably Sheffield's greatest and possibly Sheffield's last

brilliant, brought a tear to my eye, because its all so fitting and true..

A brilliant verse about a brilliant man!:clap:

absolutely brilliant Barnie very touching and true

I think it should be sent to both clubs for proposed publication in the match programme. It is too good for it not to be put to any further memorial etc.

Cheers chairboy!

I've sent it to Bramall lane for John Garrett/ Mick Rooker - ayone have any contacts at Hillsborough for me please??

Cheers chairboy!

I've sent it to Bramall lane for John Garrett/ Mick Rooker - anyone have any contacts at Hillsborough for me please??

enquiries@swfc.co.uk - Programme editor?
look.north@bbc.co.uk
calendar@yorkshiretv.com
newsdesk@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk

See how you go with those. Don't hide your light under a bushel!

Chairboy - Thanks - I've sent it to the SWFC address now - see what they or the Blades make of it eh??

Barnie!
Good luck with it's publication!

Just a quick note of thanks - due to your comments on here I sent it off to Bramall Lane and Hillsborough. Didn't even get a reply from the Blades, but I've had an e mail to say that it's published in this weekends programme at Hillsborough.

Hope more people enjoy it now.

Thanks again,

Barnie

Just a quick note of thanks - due to your comments on here I sent it off to Bramall Lane and Hillsborough. Didn't even get a reply from the Blades, but I've had an e mail to say that it's published in this weekends programme at Hillsborough.

Hope more people enjoy it now.

Thanks again,

Barnie
Well, there you are Barnie.
Surprises all the time.

They may even invite you to make more regular contributions.

Doubt if you will get a fee, though!

Anyone see Barnie's Dooley poem in the Owls' programme today. I'm told the club published it very tastefully? Well done!

Anyone see Barnie's Dooley poem in the Owls' programme today. I'm told the club published it very tastefully? Well done!

It was, and the author was given full accreditation.
Well done, Barnie.

Barnie the poet and (best selling author?) keep at it old boy!
Congrats on having it published, that's brilliant!

the contact address at Sheffield United is :-

andy.pack@sufc.co.uk

i know there's going to be a special feature
in next weeks "derby" match at the lane. if andy gets a copy asap, i'm sure he'll contact you.

Thanks for that one - I've just e-mailed Andy Pack with that - see what they make of it. Fingers crossed.

bitterapplem - I did as you suggested, and its been published in the derby match programme tonight - talk about chuffed or what!

Just couldn't believe being 2 - 0 down to Wednesday.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for their support and comments, there may be yet more words from me when the time is right.

Well done barnie, I read it in tonight's programme, at the Lane.