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Fullname: Hugh Doherty
aka: Dickie, Dick Doherty, Dickie Doherty
Born: 5 May 1921
Died: 29 September 2014
Birthplace: Buncrana, Ireland
Signed: 23 Aug 1946 (from Dundalk)
Left: 26 Apr 1947 (released, then immediately joined Blackpool)
Position: Outside-right
Debut: Celtic 2-0 Queen of the South, League, 4 Jan 1947
Internationals: n/a
Biog
Hugh Doherty signed as an amateur for Celtic in 1946, a time of fiscal austerity in the post-war era. The country was coming to terms with the aftermath of the war, and this included Celtic. The war years were a shambles for Celtic, and sadly thing were to worsen for Celtic on the field even afterwards. It was a poor time for the club and Hugh Doherty had signed in amongst this.
He’d actually played in an exhibition game for Celtic (not the full Celtic side) in September 1939 against Vale of Leven. After the game, the coach asked him to go to Celtic Park the following morning to discuss terms if he was interested, but then just before this meeting, the UK had declared war on Germany so everything was to change. Hugh Doherty likely thought he had lost his chance to play for Celtic forever, but thankfully was given this one more chance after the war so many years later.
He went on to play in 3 league games from season 1946/47 (v Queen of the South, Queen’s Park and Third Lanark), and also played in a Scottish Cup tie against Dundee, all games were played in January 1947.
In his debut, he had displaced the great Bobby Evans, and sustained a cut on his temple which required stitches but he still played the rest of the game despite blood trickling down his face, although he states he was taken off [needs checked: was he taken off or not?]. Celtic still won 2-0.
He played in the next game with a padded rugby helmet to protect his five stitches sustained from his debut, and maybe it brought him luck as Celtic won 3-1 v Queen’s Park (with future Celtic great Ronnie Simpson in goal for Queen’s Park that day). His next game was a 0-0 draw with Third Lanark.
Sadly, he is remembered most for the Scottish Cup game against Dundee for when Celtic were down, he hit a trintler into the hands of a puzzled & thankful opposition goalkeeper: “Doherty’s miss was the talk of the town!” Celtic were to lose 2-1.
The club tried to offer him financial terms to stay but he opted to return home instead after just four league & Scottish Cup games. He still had much admiration & respect for the club, and he retained fond memories:
“I got on well with the club, manager and trainers and was very proud to wear the Celtic jersey, and it was a great feeling going out to play at Celtic Park. I have fond memories of Glasgow and how well I was treated by supporters, the club and other players.”
He actually had a fair record, with two wins, one draw and just the one defeat (the defeat coming in the Scottish Cup to Dundee). This was in post-wartime which was an era that Celtic were very poor throughout, so he had a fair record at least to look back on. As Celtic verged close to relegation the season after he left (1947/48), possibly his departure was another reason for the disastrous form of the first team.
Later he signed as a professional for Blackpool but taking in that they had just signed another an outside-right called ‘Stanley Matthews‘ then his chances were to be very limited, and he ended up deputising for him.
Blackpool loaned him to Raith Rovers in 1949 and he retired through injury during his time there after his knee gave way during a comeback match.
On retiring from playing, he returned to Donegal, where he remained firmly involved in football, having helped to co-found Buncrana Hearts in 1944. He went on to make a major contribution to grassroots football in the local area, and was still involved into his old age.
Those years of dedicated service were recognised by a number of sporting organisations. In 2012, he was honoured by the Ulster Football Association in appreciation for services to football. In 2013, he was the recipient of the John Sherlock service to Football Award 2013, which was presented by the FAI at their all Ireland AGM. In February 2013, he was awarded The Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame Award 2013 by FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney.
A lot to admire about Hugh Doherty, and be proud that the Celtic support can number him amongst the wider Celtic family.
He passed away in September 2014.
In 2025, it was announced that a memorial plaque in his honour was to be placed at his former home.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1946-47 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
None
Pictures
Notes
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Jan 2025: Inishowen’s greatest ever players will have his amazing legacy immortalised with a permanent reminder at his former home in the town, something local Sinn Fein’s Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen MD, is delighted about. “Delighted that the Inishowen Municipal District has agreed that a commemorative plaque will be installed at the former home of Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty – the only Buncrana man to play for Celtic FC,” Mr Murray posted on social media.
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When making his debut for Dundalk at Milltown against Shamrock Rovers, part of a wall collapsed on children standing on the sidelines of the pitch. As Hugh was nearby he pulled a child out from under the debris and carried him off the pitch. The following week he received a standing ovation from the Dundalk crowd as his picture, with the blood stained shirt, had appeared in the national newspapers unknown to himself.
Articles
Happy Birthday to the oldest living Celt
http://www.celticfc.net/news/5817
By: Mark Henderson on 05 May, 2014 09:57
HUGH Doherty may not be a household name among Hoops supporters but the Irishman has strong claims to be the oldest-living Celtic player. And today, May 5, the Buncrana Bhoy, who made four competitive first-team appearances for Celtic in the 1946/47 season, is celebratng his 93rd birthday.
And everyone at Celtic would like to wish Hugh a very happy birthday.
His Celtic career may have been fleeting, but Hugh will always be proud and privileged to have worn the Hoops. And had it not been for the onset of World War Two, the outside right may have become a more celebrated figure in Paradise.
“Celtic’s chief scout was visiting Portrush, on holiday in 1939 and saw me playing football in a pre-season trial match in Coleraine,” Doherty told the Celtic View. “He never spoke to me on that occasion, but I received a letter from Celtic Park inviting me over for a trial a few weeks later.
“I played in an exhibition game (not the full Celtic side as some other hopefuls were there on trial as well) on September 1, 1939 at against Vale of Leven. After the game, the coach asked me to go to Celtic Park the following morning to discuss terms if I was interested.
“Before this meeting, my father and I heard on the radio in their digs that England had declared war on Germany.
“We arrived at Celtic Park and spoke to manager Willie Maley. He told my father (John Doherty) that due to the announcement of war, the situation had changed and he couldn’t be responsible for my safety. We travelled back to Ireland and I spent the war years working on father’s business and playing amateur football.”
Having spent the duration of the war starring for Derry City and Dundalk, Doherty must have felt his opportunity of playing for the Bhoys had ended. But when a number of Celtic first-team players descended on Donegal on holiday, he was handed a second shot at the big time.
“Some of the Celtic players were on holiday in Buncrana after the war and I played in an exhibition game with them,” said Doherty. “Tommy Bogan (capped for Scotland and later a player with Manchester United) was one of the players. Subsequently, I was contacted by Jimmy McGrory for a trial and went to play for Celtic after the war in 1946.”
Doherty made his debut at home to Queen of the South and swiftly showed his commitment to the cause by playing on despite sustaining a serious head wound, which would later require stitches.
”The first senior game I played in was between Celtic and Queen of the South in Dumfries, I was carried off with a head injury,” he recalled.
“A ball came across from the left and beat the keeper. The left-back tried to hook the ball at the same time as I tried to head it into the net. I had stitches in my head but played in the next game with a padded rugby helmet.”
The post-war years were a turbulent time in Paradise as the club struggled for consistency and silverware proved elusive. Still, it didn’t mean there was a deficiency in talent.
“At that time, there were a lot of changes as players were coming back from the war but I played with many great Celtic players at that time,” said Doherty.
“My own position was outside-right and I played with great goalkeeper and Scottish international Willie Miller, full-back Bobby Hogg, was the oldest player on the team, who was playing his last season in football. I remembered him from the pre-war days as well.
“Matt Lynch, a school teacher, filled in, and there were also promising young players like Bobby Evans, Willie Corbett who was a sound centre half, Roy Milne at left-back; and Jimmy Mallon at right-back.
“George Haslett. who later went south to play for Leeds United, and Willie Gallacher who was the son of Patsy Gallacher, then there was Gerry McAloon, who travelled up every weekend from London to play and was a very good provider to have on the wing.
“At centre-forward was Joe Rae while Pat O Sullivan outside left and Rolando Ugolini (who sadly passed away recently), a Scottish-Italian and another great goalkeeper who was kept out of the position by the great Willie Miller. His family had a fish and chip shop in Bathgate, and eventually he moved to play for Middlesbrough.”
Like a number of his contemporaries at the club, though, Doherty was soon on the move, eventually signing for English side Blackpool.
Providing competition for his position on the wing at the Seasiders was one the game’s all-time greats – Sir Stanley Matthews.
“Jimmy McGrory was a very fair and upfront manager and I received a very nice letter from him when I left Celtic,” said Doherty.
“I got on well with the club, manager and trainers and was very proud to wear the Celtic jersey, and it was a great feeling going out to play at Celtic Park. I have fond memories of Glasgow and how well I was treated by supporters, the club and other players.
“There were a few clubs interested in me when I left Celtic, and I was offered a good contract at Blackpool in 1947/48. I played outside-right, the same position as the great Stanley Matthews and deputised on the odd game when he was injured or playing for England.
“He was considered to be the best player in the world at that time and I was delighted to have an opportunity to play in the same team as him.
“I remember playing in Europe and getting a good write-up after a game in Copenhagen. After a goal I scored in the fourth game in Odense, Matthews said to me, ‘Great goal, you didn’t hit the corner flag with that one!’
While it was always going to be difficult displacing the magnificent Matthews, it was eventually a serious injury that cut short Doherty’s playing time and ultimately his career at the top level.
“After I had a great game against Blackburn Rovers, John Bruton (manager) tried to negotiate a transfer for me to his team, which I only found out about this later,” he said.
“I played a season with Blackpool before damaging the cartilage in my knee. I was operated on, and in the following season playing a match between Blackpool and Aston Villa, I damaged ligaments in the same knee.
“The injury was more serious than they first thought and I broke down on a number of comebacks. Blackpool made a settlement with me because of the seriousness of the injuries, and I went back to digs in Scotland. I continued training with Clyde and was great friends with their manager, the former Celt, Paddy Travers.
“After a friendly, Raith Rovers were impressed and asked me to play but I broke down during the game, and I had to accept that the specialist was correct and I couldn’t play senior football again.”
“I have never been back to Celtic or Blackpool but I have followed them keenly throughout my life,” he added. “I received a lovely letter from both clubs and the FAI on my 90th Birthday. Celtic invited me back to the Directors’ Box to view a game but I wasn’t well enough to take up the offer at the time.”
On returning to his native Donegal, Doherty remained firmly involved in football, playing for several teams before making a major contribution to grassroots football in the local area following his retirement. His love of the game means he’s still involved to this day.
And these years of dedicated service have been recognised by a number of sporting organisations. In 2012, he was honoured by the Ulster Football Association in appreciation for services to football.
Last year, he was the recipient of the John Sherlock service to Football Award 2013, which was presented by the FAI at their all Ireland AGM.
And in February this year he was awarded The Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame Award 2013 by FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney.
Condolences to family of Hugh Doherty
By: Newsroom Staff on 29 Sep, 2014 17:33
Tweet
CELTIC would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of former Celtic player Hugh Doherty, who passed away peacefully this morning (Monday) after a short illness. He was 93.
The Buncrana Bhoy made four competitive appearances for the Hoops in the 1946/47 season, before joining Blackpool, where he vied with Sir Stanley Matthews for a place on the wing.
Hugh made his debut at home to Queen of the South and immediately underlined his commitment to the cause by playing on with a serious head wound, which would later require stitches. His stay in Glasgow may have been fleeting but he was always proud and privileged to have worn the Hoops.
A serious injury that he sustained at Blackpool cut short his career and the Irishman returned to his native Donegal, where he remained firmly involved in the game he loved, turning out for a number of local teams.
After his retirement, he made a major contribution to grassroots football, and his years of dedicated service to the game saw him recognised by a number of sporting organisations, including the Ulster Football Association, the FAI and the Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame.
Obituary – Hugh Doherty
Celtic footballer
Celtic footballer
Born: May 5, 1921; Died: September 29, 2014.
Hugh “Dick” Doherty, who has died of cancer aged 93, was, at the time of his death, the oldest former Celtic player.
Doherty was born and raised in Buncrana, County Donegal. He was spotted by Celtic while playing in a pre-season match, in Coleraine, in August 1939 and immediately the teenaged winger was invited to Celtic Park for a trial.
He duly travelled to Glasgow with his father and impressed manager Willie Maley enough, playing as a trialist against Vale of Leven, to be offered terms.
That match was played on September 1, 1939. However, when he arrived at Celtic Park the following day for signing talks, the United Kingdom had just declared war on Germany so, he and his father returned to Donegal.
He spent the war years, during which the Republic was neutral, playing in the League of Ireland and the Irish League for Derry City and Dundalk, whilst working in the family business – the Doherty family owned a farm and a butcher’s shop; he also worked in his uncle’s pub in Derry.
Celtic, however, had not forgotten him and, at the end of the war, he was invited back to Glasgow, after starring in an exhibition match in Donegal in which several holidaying Celtic players had played.
Doherty, by now 25, made his first-team debut at Celtic Park, against Queen of the South, in a league match, on January 4, 1947. Celtic won 2-0, but the debutant was carried off with a head cut which required several stitches.
Undaunted, he was back in the team the following Saturday, for a visit to Hampden to play Queen’s Park, his head wound covered by a rugby scrum-cap. He was selected again for the following game, at Third Lanark, then retained his place for the Scottish Cup, round one, clash with Dundee at Dens Park.
The “Dee”, who were then leading Division B, as the Scottish Second Division was then known, posted a major shock when they won this one 2-1 and Doherty was allegedly criticised for missing a second-half “sitter”, which might well have taken the game to a replay. This miss, however, is not mentioned in The Herald’s match report.
At the end of that season, Doherty was released by Celtic, but he almost immediately signed for Blackpool, only to discover they had also signed another outside-right, the legendary Wizard of the Dribble, Stanley Matthews, from Stoke City. It was obvious that Matthews, then arguably the world’s top player, would be a first-choice, leaving Doherty to fill in whenever he was injured, or absent on England duty.
A serious knee injury, which required surgery, cut short Doherty’s Blackpool career after just one season – 1947-48, which ended with the Seasiders losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Blackpool decided the injury was serious enough for them to pay him off and cancel his contract.
He came back to Glasgow, where he trained with Clyde in an effort to resurrect his career. Raith Rovers were interested in signing him, but when his knee collapsed in an abortive come-back game, he reluctantly accepted his top-flight career was over and returned to Donegal.
He was able to play at amateur level back in Ireland, including turning out for Buncrana Hearts, a team he had co-founded in 1944; then, to become one of the driving forces behind grassroots football in Donegal over many years. Indeed, this dedication to the game was rewarded when he was honoured by, among others, the Ulster Football Association.
He also received the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI’s) John Sherlock Service to Football award and the Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame award.
He worked as an official for the Ulster Senior League, the UFA and he was still, at the time of his death, assistant treasurer of the Inishowen League, a body he had helped form.
When he celebrated his 90th birthday, Celtic invited him to return to the club as a guest of the directors, but, sadly, he was too ill to take up the offer and indeed, he never did make it back to Kerrydale Street.
While serving on the committee of the Ineshowen League, he covered the league’s affairs for local newspapers such as the Derry Journal and the Donegal People’s Press. He would gather the match information and his wife Eithne would type it up, at first on a typewriter, before investing in a computer.
Eithne, who pre-deceased Dick in 2006, was a Dublin girl, who had come to Buncrana to manage a draper’s shop. She met her husband at a dance, during which, the non-smoking, teetotal Doherty wooed her with the offer of an ice cream.
The Dohertys had five children. Anthony and Ann-Marie pre-deceased their parents and he is survived by Deidre, Denis and Eamon and four grandchildren.
Doherty was a prominent member of the Donegal community. He was active in Irish politics as long-term member of the Fine Gael party, was a friend of former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and was a long-serving town councillor and JP in Buncrana.
He was also very independent, living alone and looking after himself until he had to be hospitalised with cancer in the final weeks of his life, although he was allowed to leave hospital to die in the care of his family.
Oct 2014
Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty: Death of Celtic’s oldest former player
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-29428212
Glasgow Celtic football club’s oldest surviving player, Donegal-born Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty has died, aged 93.
The Buncrana native made his debut for ‘The Hoops’ in the 1946/47 season before joining Blackpool, where he vied with Sir Stanley Matthews for a place on the wing.
The FAI and the Donegal Sports Star Hall of Fame honoured him for his contribution to grassroots football.
Mr Doherty passed away on Tuesday morning after a short illness.
‘Unique’
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Football Association of Ireland Chief Executive John Delaney said he was an incredible man.
“I had the honour of meeting Hugh on a number of occasions, as well as presenting him with two awards for his contribution to football,” he said.
“He deserves every one of those awards and more, he lived a great life and had a great career. He was very understated and always had a lovely smile when you met him. He gave back to the game and that’s a wonderful and unique attribute.
“We were all very sad to hear of his passing and we hope to pay a special tribute to him during one of the Irish international matches.”
“Love of the game”
As a player, Hugh Doherty, lined out with Derry City, Dundalk, Glasgow Celtic, Blackpool and Raith Rovers during the 1940s.
However, he suffered a serious injury while at Blackpool which cut short his career and the Irishman returned to his native Donegal.
He went on to play for local clubs and was a founder member of Buncrana Hearts in 1944, a team which continues to this day.
He was also involved in the development of the Inishowen League, Ulster Senior League and Ulster Football Association.
At the age of 93 he was still active as assistant treasurer of the Inishowen Football League.
Speaking before his passing, Hugh’s daughter Deirdre said her father just loved football.
“My father does not pass much heed on awards but has been involved with football all his life, for the love of the game,” she said.
Only Inishowen man to play for Celtic FC to be honoured with commemorative plaque
The Derry Journal
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/society-culture-and-history/history/only-inishowen-man-to-play-for-celtic-fc-to-be-honoured-with-commemorative-plaque/ar-AA1xiB0J?ocid=BingNewsSerp
16 Jan 2025
Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty, a founding member of Buncrana Hearts F.C., made his debut for the Scottish giant during the 1967- 47 season having initially been invited for a trial by the club in 1939. The outbreak of the First World War halted those early plans but so impressed were Celtic by Doherty that they returned with an offer after the conflict by which time Doherty had already played for both Derry City and Dundalk.
Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty, a founding member of Buncrana Hearts F.C., made his debut for the Scottish giant during the 1967- 47 season having initially been invited for a trial by the club in 1939. The outbreak of the First World War halted those early plans but so impressed were Celtic by Doherty that they returned with an offer after the conflict by which time Doherty had already played for both Derry City and Dundalk.
Doherty’s one season in Scotland was enough to convince Blackpool to sign the midfielder with the Donegal man going on to vie with the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews for a place in The Seasiders’ team.
When injury cut short his cross channel playing career, Hugh returned to Donegal to play for a number of local clubs and was involved in the development of the Inishowen League, Ulster Senior League and Ulster Football Association, continuing in an admin role well into his 90s before his sad passing back in September 2014.
And now, one of Inishowen’s greatest ever players will have his amazing legacy immortalised with a permanent reminder at his former home in the town, something local Sinn Fein’s Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen MD, is delighted about.
“Delighted that the Inishowen Municipal District has agreed that a commemorative plaque will be installed at the former home of Hugh ‘Dick’ Doherty – the only Buncrana man to play for Celtic FC,” Mr Murray posted on social media.
“I was approached by a few local footballing people in recent times and asked to put it forward and, given the man’s status as a local sporting legend, it was a no brainer, and well overdue!
“Hugh played for Celtic in the 1946-47 season before going on to play for Blackpool F.C., at a time when they were one of the top clubs in English football. Indeed, the standard at which he played is evident when you consider that he was interchangeable at the club with Stanley Matthews on the outside right, shortly before Matthews would be recognised as the best player in the world as the inaugural winner of the Ballon d’Or. Hugh would also play for Raith Rovers FC, Dundalk FC and Derry City Football Club
“He left a lasting legacy in his community as a founding member of Buncrana Hearts FC and I understand that he was still a board member of the Inishowen Football League until he passed away at 93 years of age. (Then the oldest living former Celtic player).
“He was also involved in the Ulster Senior League and was an elected member of Buncrana Urban Council, as a member of Fine Gael – something which might seem ironic as today’s proposal was moved by myself as a Sinn Féin representative, and seconded by Fionán Bradley, a member of Fianna Fail. Political differences were no issue though, of course, as there was unanimous cross party support for the idea, and words of endorsement from reps from all parts of Inishowen.
“A word of thanks also to Jennifer Porter who now owns Hugh’s former home for agreeing that the plaque be installed there. Hopefully it’ll be a talking point for sporting people who visit Buncrana for generations to come and a lasting tribute to one of Inishowen’s most accomplished sportspeople.
“Thanks too to Gary ‘Gaz’ McPeake and Jonathan Adair for rightly bringing this idea to my attention. Plans will now be put in place and a date for the unveiling announced soon,” he added.