The Doog: The Incredible Story of Football's Most Controversial Figure

Derek 'The Doog' Dougan, king of the footballing one-liner, was perhaps the most flamboyant, argumentative and controversial cult hero in the game's long and lurid history. As a player he submitted a transfer request on the morning of an FA Cup final, played in the 1958 World Cup, picked up a record suspension for swearing at a linesman, shaved his hair off 'to feel fresh', formed part of the famed ITV 1970 World Cup panel which invented football punditry, and smashed in goal after arrogant goal for Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Peterborough, Leicester City, Wolves and Northern Ireland, inspiring the earliest known instances of football-related graffiti as his name was daubed across walls in each of those cities in recognition of his status as the crowd's rebellious hero.At Wolves, following a hat-trick on his debut, he formed a lethal partnership with Dave Wagstaffe and John Richards, although his abrasive character saw him fall out irreparably with Richards and numerous other high profile football figures. After such a career filled with panache and incident, Dougan could not hide his light under a bushel and he continued to pioneer new ground for former footballers. He discovered a political calling, attempting to form a united Irish football team to play Brazil in 1973 at the height of the Troubles. He also stood as a political candidate in his home constituency of East Belfast and represented UKIP on the BBC's Question Time.He was Chairman of the PFA, appointing long-serving Chief Executive Gordon Taylor to his post, and then became the Chief Executive of Wolves himself under the controversial regime of the Bhatti brothers, which almost saw the famous club go out of existence. Add in a colourful love life, the scandal of disappearing charity money, being asked to be a pall-bearer at George Best's funeral, violent assault, glorious goalscoring ability and a maniacal temper and you have the quandary which was The Doog.Coming within months of his early death, this biography, written by two of the journalists who knew him best throughout his tumultuous life, David Harrison of the News of the World and Steve Gordos of the Wolverhampton Express and Star, delves into the murky, entertaining and incredible world of The Doog by talking to many of those who witnessed each turbulent step, including John Richards, Pat Jennings, Gordon Taylor, Doug Ellis, Dave Whelan, Tim Flowers, Sammy McIlroy, Bobby Gould, Mike Bailey, Ray Crawford, Dave Wagstaffe, and features a hunt for an exclusive interview with the Bhatti brothers. With a foreword by former Northern Ireland team-mate and current Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.

Review :
There are accounts of the many managers Dougan fell out with - Joe Mercer and, especially, Bill McGarry amongst them. How his participation in an all-Ireland XI for a friendly with Brazil ended Dougan's international career. Most controversially, Dougan's time as Wolves' chief executive under the Bhattis gets an airing. For me, this is the most fascinating chapter of his career, as fellow directors of the time attempt the impossible by portraying the brothers in a sympathetic light. Were the Bhattis stitched up by Wolverhampton council because the town fathers didn't want 'foreigners' owning their best-known asset? It's a fascinating topic and one worthy of a book of its own. Like his part in the Duncan Edwards Sports Clinic appeal, the authors give Dougan a sympathetic verdict here, and in both episodes he comes over as a man who let his exuberance run away with him. In sharp contrast is the chapter dealing with his relations with Wolves striker John Richards, which ended in the men scarcely on speaking terms. Richards wasn't the only one to find Dougan a man who made friends and enemies with equal ease. Never was the term 'likeable rogue' better employed - The Stirrer. The Doog is a must-read for all Wolves fans, and a fascinating history for anyone with an interest in football - David Ballinger, Shropshire Star. A highly revealing insight - wolvesheroes.com. One of the most charismatic and fiery footballers of his era - Sunday Mercury. An absorbing... examination of a character who left a legacy more meaningful than any sum of accumulated cash, however large - Book Of The Week, The Independent.