services to association football. Later the same year he received an honorary doctorate degree from Sheffield Hallam University. He retired as a Blades chief executive in 1996 but 3 years later he returned to the fold as chairman of the club. At the time United were £4 million in debt and languishing near the bottom of the second tier of English football. Under his chairmanship the club enjoyed a resurgence that saw them return to the Premiership after an absence of 12 years. In April 2006 with the club still celebrating promotion, Dooley announced his resignation of the chairmanship to take up the role of Vice-President. Death Dooley died at home on 5 March 2008. Both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United opened their own books of condolence the following day. United announced on 6 March 2008 that they will be naming their new youth academy after their former chairman. The following day the Blades announced that they would also be commissioning a statue of Dooley, which would be placed to the rear of the South Stand at Bramall Lane. There was a minute's silence prior to Wednesday's home game against QPR and Barnsley's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea on 8 March. Dooley's funeral took place on 14 March 2008 at Sheffield Cathedral. The cathedral was surrounded by thousands of fans from Sheffield's two major clubs who listened to the service on loudspeakers. Inside, the service was attended by Sir Bobby Charlton, Dickie Bird and former United managers Neil Warnock and Dave Bassett, both of whom read eulogies. Following the service a police motorbike outrider led the funeral cortège to a private service at a city crematorium. Permanent tributes In 2008, the Council decided to rename part of the ring road as Derek Dooley Way, a move supported by his widow, Sylvia. In 2010, a statue of Dooley was erected at the Bramall Lane home of Sheffield United, to commemorate his service to the club. Career statistics References Further reading 1929 births 2008 deaths English footballers English football managers Lincoln City F.C. players Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players Sheffield Wednesday F.C. managers Sheffield United F.C. directors and chairmen Members of the Order of the British Empire People associated with Sheffield Hallam University Footballers from Sheffield Association football forwards People from Pitsmoor