Tommy Docherty: Hong Kong memories of wisecracks and Harry Ramsden’s for Derek Currie
- ‘The Doc’ visited the city several times in the 90s for the rugby union, Kowloon Cricket Club and Hamilton Academicals Hong Kong branch
- Currie says he was ‘a character on and off the field or stage, not unlike comedian Billy Connolly’
Legendary football manager Tommy Docherty, who died on Thursday aged 92, was the life of the party when he visited Hong Kong during the 90s, delivering one-liners on demand.
Derek Currie, the former Rangers and Seiko star, was with the former Manchester United and Scotland manager when “The Doc” was in Hong Kong speaking at events for the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Kowloon Cricket Club and the Hamilton Academicals supporters’ club of Hong Kong.
Currie was emcee for one of the question and answer sessions held at Harry Ramsden’s, the now-closed English-style fish and chips outlet in Wan Chai.
“The Doc was a character on and off the field or stage, not unlike comedian Billy Connolly in many ways,” Currie said. “Serious on the field but full of wisecracks is how I remember him. When he visited Hong Kong in the 90s, I was asked to shepherd him during his stay.”
Glasgow-born Docherty played in defence for Celtic, Preston, Arsenal and Chelsea and represented Scotland 25 times, scoring one goal. He started his managerial career in 1961 with Chelsea, spending six years at Stamford Bridge before a one-year stint as Scotland manager from 1971 to 1972. His most famous stint was as Manchester United boss from 1972 to 1977.
His one goal for Scotland came against the auld enemy England at Wembley in 1955, and Currie relates the conversation.