Docherty, John

D | Player Pics | A-Z of Players

Note: There has been more than one player at Celtic with a similar name (“John Doherty”). So please check other namesakes if need be

Personal

Fullname: John Docherty
aka: N/A
Born: […]
Died: 24 May 1939
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 15 February 1896 (Loan); November 6th 1897 (Loan); 7 May 1898
Left: May 1900 (free); Vale of Leven (1900)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Dundee 1-2 Celtic, League, 6 Nov 1897
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A

Biog

Goalkeeper John Docherty played a total of 11 league games for the Bhoys in three brief periods at Parkhead.

His debut game was on loan from Dumbarton as a replacement for the injured Dan McArthur when Celtic defeated Dundee 2-1 in a league clash at Parkhead on November 6th 1897. After another one match loan he signed permanently for Celtic in May 1898 and stayed at the club for two years as McArthur’s understudy before being released.

However, he only managed a relatively small number of games, although he still managed to play in a Glasgow Cup final (lost to Rangers 5-1).

Still, he got to play a single game for Celtic in the 1897-98 season, although that debut game was his only match that season but meant at least he played in a league title winning season.

His longest run was in the 1899-1900 season, in which he conceded 12 goals in 7 league matches.

He didn’t have the best of records, conceding in every single competitive first team match he played in, a total of 19 goals conceded. In fairness, in the old days where there was most often only a scant defence, so conceding goals was easy but his record was still poor; Dan McArthur managed a 30% shut-out record.

With the great Dan McArthur in front of him, John Docherty’s chances were always going to be low in the difficult task to unseat Dan McArthur.

He went on to play for Vale of Leven and Renton, and after retiring from the game he managed Vale of Leven. He later worked for the Singer’s factory (i.e. sewing machines) in Clydebank.

He passed away in 1939.

Playing Career

Honours as a Celtic Player

Pictures

• Player Pics

Obituary

Footballer’s Death

Evening Telegraph, 25 May 1939 (via British Newspaper Archive):

John Docherty, once noted goalkeeper, died at Stevenson’s Buildings, Alexandria, last night. He played for Celtic, Vale of Leven, Renton, and Dumbarton, and for Glasgow against Sheffield. On retiring from the game, he was trainer of Vale of Leven football team. He was employed in Singer’s Works, Clydebank, for about 40 years.