Former team-mates pay tribute to legend Dougall
ONE of Plymouth Argyle's legendary players of the 1950s, Neil Dougall, has died aged 86.
Dougall, who also managed the Pilgrims for a period in the same decade, passed away on Tuesday at Derriford Hospital.
The Scotland international is remembered as one of the most versatile players to have pulled on an Argyle shirt.
Dougall was described as a 'real gentleman' and a 'hard man on the pitch and a nice guy off it' by two of his former Argyle team-mates.
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"It's very sad news – Neil was a truly nice guy and a very good footballer," said fellow Scot Alex Govan, who played alongside Dougall on the wing in the '50s, before moving to Birmingham City.
"I think aside from Johnny Williams, Neil was the best wing-half that Argyle ever had.
"He had a fierce shot and was a fair but strong tackler."
Plymouth-born Williams said he had fond memories of Dougall, who had remained in the city.
"I've got great memories of playing alongside Neil and of him as a person," said Williams.
"He was a real gentleman, although he was uncompromising as a player and was well respected."
In a 10-year period until he retired in March 1959, Dougall holds the distinction of having played in every position – one to XI – for the Home Park club.
Falkirk-born Dougall, who began his professional career at Burnley, joined the Pilgrims for £13,000 from Birmingham in the spring of 1949, ostensibly as an inside-forward.
He made his name, though, as a wing-half and his form was so impressive that he was tipped to add to the one Scotland cap he'd won shortly after the Second World War.
Dougall had played for Scotland against England in the Victory international in 1946 and was a prominent figure in the Argyle line-up, led by the formidable centre-back Jack 'Jumbo' Chisolm, during the 1950s.
In total, Dougall made 289 appearances for Argyle, scoring 26 goals.
He succeeded Jack Rowley as manager of the Pilgrims in 1959 and was at the Home Park helm for eight months and also performed various coaching roles at the club until 1969.
Dougall, whose wife Monica predeceased him, is succeeded by two daughters, Andrea and Anita, and two grandchildren, Amy and Charles.
Dougall's funeral service will take place at 9am at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Wyndham Square, on Thursday, December 10 and from there to Weston Mill Crematorium.
Comments
by MICHAEL.LAMBERT, PLYMOUTH.
Friday, December 11 2009, 1:35PM
“I HAVE MANY A FOND MEMORY
OF NEIL.AS A SECRETARY OF
A LOCAL SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO INVITE NEIL@MONICA TO OUR XMAS
DINNER AND DANCES.BOTH
OF THEM MIXED SO EASILY
WITH PEOPLE WHO LOVED
FOOTBALL AND THOSE THAT
DID NOT.I REMEMBER WELL
WHEN HE USED TO RUN THE
ARGYLE COMMERCIAL SET UP.AFTER THAT THE MAYFLOWER CENTRE WITH
HIS WONDERFUL PRESONALITY AND BUISNESS ABILITY HE WAS LIKED AND RESPECTED BY MANY.WHAT A BOON HE WOULD BE AT ARGYLE NOW.
GOD BLESS NEIL.”
by Craig Duncan, Plymouth
Friday, December 04 2009, 2:48PM
“Neil was my boss when I worked at the Mayflower Sports Centre. He was a gentleman. RIP Neil”
by Bernard Lewis, Hemel Hempstead
Thursday, December 03 2009, 8:30PM
“I had the good fortune to enjoy neils prowess as a professional footballer He was probably the best kicker of a dead ball in my life time as an Argyle supporter. more than that we were fairly good friends with the Dougalls my sister regularly babysat the two girls. please accept my sincere condolences to the two girls.”
by Les Finnimore, West Sussex
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:43PM
“I didn't have the pleasure of watching neil Dougall play football but I knew him from his days as manager of the Mayflower Sports Centre where I used to play 5-a-side football. I regarded him as a friend, honest and enthusiastic he will be sorely missed. As Neil Haddy has said Argyle could do with him now.”
by Neil Haddy, Chesterfield
Thursday, December 03 2009, 11:46AM
“He was my dad's hero. As I was born in 1949 more or less when he joined us - that's where my first name came from.
Sadly missed - we could do with his stregths now.”
by Ronnie White, Mid Devon
Thursday, December 03 2009, 9:06AM
“As a young lad I watched Neil playing for Argyle. He was a very busy player, always involved in the action. Then when I played for Kitto YMCA in the Plymouth Youth Club league as a teenager during the early 1960s, Neil would often come along to our training nights to coach us. We youngsters were in total awe of his ability and he was a brilliant mentor. I have very fond memories of Neil and send my condolences to his family.”