MEN 1873-1895
MEN 1895-2024
WOMEN 2018-2024
 

Bob Doc Doherty

OVERALL STATISTICS

BIRTHAGESIGNED ONFROM
12-2-1870
N/A
Date unknown.
Unknown.
DEBUTLAST MATCHLEFT
5-12-1891 v Ulverston
Widnes
1895-
CAREERAPPEARANCES (SUBS)
1891-1895
157 (0)
TRIESGOALSDGOALSPTS
73
2
1
167

Biography of Bob Doc Doherty



HERITAGE NO :
Bob Doherty

BOB DOC

Bob Doherty was born on the 12th of February 1870 in Kendal, Westmorland. His father Charles was a labourer and the family lived in Stricklandgate, Kendal.

Bob Doherty, or ‘Bob Doc’ as he was known was a rising star in his native Kendal with the famous Hornets club and decided he would head south to play in a better class of football. Like his former team-mates Billy Cross and William Whiteley, he chose St. Helens. The Saints supporters soon took the Cumbrian winger to their hearts. Although slight, at five foot four inches and barely ten and a half stones, he was deceptively strong and elusive. His tackling for a small man was exceptional and he could bring down opponents forty or fifty pounds heavier than himself. He played every game in his first season [1891-92] and it is true to say that, prior to the Saints joining the Northern Union, he had already played for the club on 157 occasions, scoring 74 tries.

Doherty was a member of the Saints team that won its first-ever honour in rugby football – The Lancashire County Rugby Challenge Cup 2nd Division trophy, which was presented to their Cumbrian captain Billy Cross. Doherty had a magnificent season, together with local-born winger Tom Sudlow on the other flank and scored 50 tries between them – a fantastic achievement!

NORTHERN UNION ERA

Twelve months later in the new Northern Rugby Football Union competition, he had the distinction of scoring the club’s first-ever try, at home to Rochdale Hornets on Saturday 7th September 1895, when the pint-sized winger intercepted a pass on the visitors’ 25, swerved out of one tackle and broke away from the next, rolling head-over-heels for a marvellous score in Saints’ eventual 8-3 success.

Bob Doc’s contribution to the Saints’ come-back in the 1897 Challenge Cup final has been chronicled elsewhere, but it became a recurring nightmare for them! They drew Batley the following year in the First Round. Once again Saints scored the only try as Batley went on to retain the trophy. The scorer? Bob Doc!

Doherty played in the inaugural South West Lancs and Border Towns Cup Final at the turn of the century, when the Saints defeated Runcorn at Widnes 6-0 after extra time – another ‘first’ for the popular Cumbrian. Bob’s playing wages were 12 shillings for a win [60p], 10 shillings for a draw [50p] and 8 shillings for a loss [40p] and he received a Benefit of just under £20 for twelve years’ service. He was elected a Life Member of the St. Helens Club and worked for St. Helens Cleansing Department for 43 years, spending much of his leisure time at Peasley Cross Conservative Club and died in 1942 aged 72 – a real Saints’ ‘Great.’

The St. Helens Newspaper [22nd December 1942] announced his passing as follows: “Bob” Doherty, one of the Saints stalwarts of the Northern Union days died suddenly on Saturday evening. He had just left the Peasley Cross Conservative Club, where he usually spent his afternoons, and had crossed the road to catch the bus to take him down to Hunter Street, lower down Peasley Cross Lane, when he collapsed. Bob was 73 years of age. Age had not dealt too unkindly with him. His mind, hearing and eyesight were those of a man of forty, but his legs, once so cunning and clever on the rugby football field, were, to quote “Bob” himself, “Nowt like as good as they used to be”. Forty-odd years ago Bob was the star half-back or centre [sic] of the Saints’ team, a brilliant worker and very sound defender. His heart was as good as ever. Only a few weeks ago, when crossing the Victoria Square on Saturday morning, he hobbled along with his sticks to the Saints’ players, who were waiting for their bus to take them to Wakefield or some place in Yorkshire. “Sorry I can’t come with you”, said Bob. “My heart is good enough but my legs let me down badly. But for them, I think I could enjoy a good game of rugby again”. A nice chap, Bob. Likeable, modest, pleasantly spoken, trustworthy, he was truly respected by all who knew him. I knew little of him in his playing days, writes ‘Premier’ but I learnt to like him after his playing days were over, when he was serving the club in minor capacities in his humble way. Bob was a true gentleman, a credit to himself his club and the game he loved.

DateMatchPosOpponentsCompVenueFTFTOTGDG
5th Sep 1891 1
D
 4 Ulverston* FR H 0 0 VIEW
12th Sep 1891 2
D
 4 Wigan* FR H 0 0 VIEW
19th Sep 1891 3
W
 4 Salford* FR A 11 7 1 VIEW
26th Sep 1891 4
L
 4 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR H 0 2 VIEW
3rd Oct 1891 5
L
 4 Kendal Hornets* FR A 0 13 VIEW
10th Oct 1891 6
W
 4 Sale* FR H 24 0 1 VIEW
15th Oct 1891 7
L
 4 Runcorn* Charity A 2 7 VIEW
17th Oct 1891 8
W
 4 Elland* FR H 7 2 VIEW
24th Oct 1891 9
L
 4 Rockcliffe* Tour A 0 14 VIEW
26th Oct 1891 10
W
 4 Percy Park* Tour A 9 7 VIEW
31st Oct 1891 11
L
 4 Stockport* FR A 0 10 VIEW
7th Nov 1891 12
L
 4 Aspull* FR H 0 4 VIEW
14th Nov 1891 13
L
 4 Morecambe* FR A 0 14 VIEW
21st Nov 1891 14
W
 4 Tyldesley* FR H 6 2 1 VIEW
28th Nov 1891 15
D
 4 Blackley* FR A 0 0 VIEW
5th Dec 1891 16
W
 4 Morecambe* FR H 2 0 VIEW
17th Dec 1891 17
L
 4 Widnes* FR A 4 5 VIEW
26th Dec 1891 18
L
 4 Wigan* FR A 4 5 1 VIEW
1st Jan 1892 19
W
 4 Runcorn* FR H 4 2 1 VIEW
2nd Jan 1892 20
W
 4 Widnes* FR H 4 0 VIEW
9th Jan 1892 21
L
 4 Ulverston* FR A 2 6 VIEW
23rd Jan 1892 22
L
 4 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR A 0 2 VIEW
30th Jan 1892 23
W
 4 Duckinfield* FR H 4 0 1 VIEW
6th Feb 1892 24
W
 4 Stockport* FR H 7 0 VIEW
13th Feb 1892 25
W
 4 Sale* FR H 12 2 1 VIEW
27th Feb 1892 26
D
 4 Rochdale St. Clements* FR A 7 7 VIEW
5th Mar 1892 27
W
 4 Salford* FR H 6 0 VIEW
12th Mar 1892 28
L
 4 Elland* FR A 0 4 VIEW
19th Mar 1892 29
W
 4 Lancaster* FR H 9 5 VIEW
26th Mar 1892 30
W
 4 Duckinfield* FR A 6 0 1 VIEW
2nd Apr 1892 31
W
 4 Kendal Hornets* FR H 14 2 1 VIEW
9th Apr 1892 32
W
 4 Tuebrook* FR H 24 0 2 VIEW
15th Apr 1892 33
W
 4 Aspatria* FR H 6 0 1 VIEW
16th Apr 1892 34
W
 4 Leicester* FR H 6 0 1 VIEW
20th Apr 1892 35
W
 4 Leigh* FR A 2 0 1 VIEW
23rd Apr 1892 36
D
 4 Blackley* FR H 7 7 1 VIEW
25th Apr 1892 37
W
 4 Grahams Select* Charity H 6 0 1 VIEW
28th Apr 1892 38
W
 4 Liverpool* Benefit H 20 0 1 VIEW
30th Apr 1892 39
L
 4 Tyldesley* FR A 0 10 VIEW
1st Sep 1892 40
L
 4 Wigan* FR H 0 5 VIEW
3rd Sep 1892 41
W
 2 Kendal* FR H 6 2 VIEW
10th Sep 1892 42
W
 2 Lancaster* FR H 8 0 1 VIEW
12th Sep 1892 43
D
 4 Leigh* FR A 2 2 VIEW
17th Sep 1892 44
W
 2 Duckinfield* FR A 19 0 VIEW
24th Sep 1892 45
W
 4 Ulverston* FR H 16 0 VIEW
1st Oct 1892 46
W
 4 Manchester Rangers* FR A 4 0 1 VIEW
8th Oct 1892 47
D
 4 Aspull* FR A 4 4 VIEW
15th Oct 1892 48
W
 4 Sale* FR A 4 0 1 VIEW
22nd Oct 1892 49
W
 4 Stockport* FR H 17 0 VIEW
29th Oct 1892 50
W
 4 Sale* FR H 22 0 VIEW
5th Nov 1892 51
W
 4 Morecambe* FR A 11 9 1 VIEW
12th Nov 1892 52
W
 15 Tyldesley* FR A 2 0 1 VIEW
19th Nov 1892 53
D
 4 Runcorn* FR H 0 0 VIEW
26th Nov 1892 54
W
 4 Morecambe* FR H 9 4 VIEW
3rd Dec 1892 55
D
 4 Leigh* FR H 0 0 VIEW
17th Dec 1892 56
D
 15 Tyldesley* FR H 0 0 VIEW
24th Dec 1892 57
L
 4 Tottington* Exhibition A 0 2 VIEW
31st Dec 1892 58
D
 4 Rockcliffe* Tour N 0 0 VIEW
2nd Jan 1893 59
W
 4 West Hartlepool* Tour A 4 0 1 VIEW
3rd Jan 1893 60
W
 4 South Shields* Tour A 2 0 VIEW
7th Jan 1893 61
W
 4 Tottington* FR H 4 0 VIEW
14th Jan 1893 62
W
 4 Aspull* FR H 14 0 VIEW
21st Jan 1893 63
D
 4 Wigan* FR A 0 0 VIEW
28th Jan 1893 64
W
 4 Widnes* FR A 5 0 1 VIEW
4th Feb 1893 65
W
 3 Lancaster* FR A 2 0 1 VIEW
11th Feb 1893 66
W
 4 Kendal* FR A 9 0 VIEW
18th Feb 1893 67
W
 4 Duckinfield* FR H 25 0 1 VIEW
25th Feb 1893 68
W
 4 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR H 20 0 VIEW
4th Mar 1893 69
W
 3 Tuebrook* FR A 27 0 1 VIEW
11th Mar 1893 70
W
 2 Rochdale Hornets* FR A 5 0 VIEW
18th Mar 1893 71
D
 4 Barton* FR A 0 0 VIEW
25th Mar 1893 72
L
 15 Stockport* FR A 2 6 VIEW
31st Mar 1893 73
W
 4 Barton* FR H 15 0 4 VIEW
1st Apr 1893 74
D
 4 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR A 0 0 VIEW
3rd Apr 1893 75
D
 4 Runcorn* FR A 0 0 VIEW
8th Apr 1893 76
L
 3 Salford* FR A 2 6 VIEW
13th Apr 1893 77
W
 4 Cross's County Team* Charity H 6 4 VIEW
15th Apr 1893 78
W
 4 Widnes* FR H 9 2 2 VIEW
19th Apr 1893 79
L
 4 Wigan* FR A 0 2 VIEW
20th Apr 1893 80
W
 4 Liverpool* Charity H 17 0 VIEW
22nd Apr 1893 81
D
 4 Tuebrook* FR H 4 4 1 VIEW
24th Apr 1893 82
W
 4 Swinton* FR H 4 2 VIEW
27th Apr 1893 83
W
 4 Wigan* FR H 2 0 VIEW
29th Apr 1893 84
W
 4 Rochdale Hornets* FR H 10 0 VIEW
2nd Sep 1893 85
W
 4 Holbeck* FR H 17 4 VIEW
9th Sep 1893 86
W
 4 Wigan* FR H 6 0 VIEW
16th Sep 1893 87
W
 4 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR H 17 4 1 VIEW
23rd Sep 1893 88
L
 4 Runcorn* FR A 0 10 VIEW
30th Sep 1893 89
L
 4 Lancaster* LCC A 0 6 VIEW
7th Oct 1893 90
W
 4 Aspull* LCC H 8 5 VIEW
14th Oct 1893 91
W
 4 Walkden* LCC A 3 0 1 VIEW
21st Oct 1893 92
W
 4 Mossley* LCC A 16 0 1 VIEW
28th Oct 1893 93
W
 4 Widnes* LCC H 3 0 VIEW
4th Nov 1893 94
W
 5 Morecambe* FR H 8 0 VIEW
11th Nov 1893 95
W
 4 Blackley* LCC A 11 0 2 VIEW
18th Nov 1893 96
W
 4 Tuebrook* FR H 25 3 2 VIEW
25th Nov 1893 97
D
 5 Swinton* FR A 6 6 VIEW
2nd Dec 1893 98
L
 5 Ulverston* LCC A 3 18 VIEW
9th Dec 1893 99
W
 5 Rochdale St. Clements* LCC H 9 0 VIEW
16th Dec 1893 100
W
 4 Kendal* FR A 10 0 VIEW
23rd Dec 1893 101
W
 4 Tuebrook* FR A 8 4 VIEW
25th Dec 1893 102
D
 5 Leigh* LCC H 0 0 VIEW
26th Dec 1893 103
L
 5 Wigan* FR A 3 5 VIEW
29th Dec 1893 104
L
 5 Stockport* FR A 0 6 VIEW
1st Jan 1894 105
W
 5 Runcorn* FR H 8 0 VIEW
13th Jan 1894 106
W
 5 Blackley* LCC H 21 5 1 VIEW
20th Jan 1894 107
W
 4 Lancaster* LCC H 21 0 VIEW
27th Jan 1894 108
D
 5 Leigh* LCC A 3 3 2 VIEW
3rd Feb 1894 109
W
 5 Tyldesley* FR A 4 0 VIEW
10th Feb 1894 110
W
 5 Ulverston* LCC H 11 0 2 VIEW
17th Feb 1894 111
W
 5 Rochdale St. Clements* LCC A 3 0 VIEW
24th Feb 1894 112
W
 5 Widnes* LCC A 14 0 VIEW
3rd Mar 1894 113
W
 5 Aspull* LCC A 17 0 1 VIEW
10th Mar 1894 114
W
 5 Mossley* LCC H 56 3 3 VIEW
17th Mar 1894 115
W
 5 Walkden* LCC H 18 0 2 VIEW
23rd Mar 1894 116
L
 5 Warrington* FR A 3 5 1 VIEW
24th Mar 1894 117
W
 5 Barton* FR H 5 4 VIEW
26th Mar 1894 118
W
 5 Kendal* FR H 38 0 3 VIEW
31st Mar 1894 119
W
 5 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR A 8 0 VIEW
5th Apr 1894 120
W
 5 Swinton* FR H 6 3 VIEW
7th Apr 1894 121
W
 5 Warrington* FR H 3 0 VIEW
11th Apr 1894 122
W
 5 Aspull* LCC A 9 3 1 VIEW
19th Apr 1894 123
W
 5 Stockport* FR H 15 10 VIEW
21st Apr 1894 124
W
 5 Broughton Rangers* LCCPO N 12 5 2 VIEW
28th Apr 1894 125
W
 5 Tyldesley* FR H 11 0 1 VIEW
1st Sep 1894 126
W
 5 Birkenhead Wanderers* FR H 16 3 VIEW
8th Sep 1894 127
W
 5 Blackley* FR H 16 0 VIEW
15th Sep 1894 128
W
 5 Ulverston* FR H 27 0 2 VIEW
22nd Sep 1894 129
W
 5 Tranmere Wanderers* FR H 20 0 VIEW
29th Sep 1894 130
L
 5 Broughton Rangers* LSC A 8 13 1 VIEW
6th Oct 1894 131
W
 5 Tyldesley* LSC H 16 0 1 VIEW
13th Oct 1894 132
W
 5 Warrington* LSC H 9 0 1 VIEW
20th Oct 1894 133
L
 5 Oldham* LSC A 0 6 VIEW
27th Oct 1894 134
L
 5 Broughton Rangers* FR H 0 3 VIEW
3rd Nov 1894 135
W
 5 Morecambe* FR H 17 10 2 VIEW
7th Nov 1894 136
L
 5 Swinton* LSC A 0 3 VIEW
10th Nov 1894 137
W
 5 Dewsbury* FR H 9 0 1 VIEW
17th Nov 1894 138
D
 5 Ulverston* FR A 0 0 VIEW
24th Nov 1894 139
W
 5 Broughton Rangers* FR A 10 3 1 VIEW
1st Dec 1894 140
W
 5 Millom* FR H 24 0 3 VIEW
8th Dec 1894 141
W
 5 Rochdale Hornets* LSC H 5 3 1 VIEW
15th Dec 1894 142
D
 5 New Brighton* FR A 0 0 VIEW
19th Jan 1895 143
W
 5 District* FR H 23 0 VIEW
26th Jan 1895 144
D
 5 Leigh* FR A 5 5 VIEW
2nd Feb 1895 145
L
 5 Runcorn* FR H 0 7 VIEW
2nd Mar 1895 146
W
 5 Stockport* FR H 13 0 VIEW
9th Mar 1895 147
W
 5 Oldham* LSC H 8 3 VIEW
16th Mar 1895 148
W
 5 Salford* FR A 8 6 VIEW
23rd Mar 1895 149
D
 5 Swinton* LSC H 0 0 VIEW
30th Mar 1895 150
W
 5 Rochdale Hornets* LSC A 11 5 VIEW
1st Apr 1895 151
W
 5 Warrington* LSC A 11 0 1 VIEW
6th Apr 1895 152
D
 5 Wigan* FR A 0 0 VIEW
12th Apr 1895 153
L
 5 Tyldesley* LSC A 0 11 VIEW
13th Apr 1895 154
W
 5 Morecambe* FR A 8 0 VIEW
20th Apr 1895 --
L
 5 Runcorn* FR A 0 10 VIEW
25th Apr 1895 --
L
 5 Wigan* FR H 3 7 VIEW
27th Apr 1895 --
W
 5 Widnes* FR H 18 0 1 VIEW
*Unofficial Match. **Non Playing Sub.
WINS : 101 | LOSSES : 32 | DRAWS : 24




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