The Thistle Archive

The son of Irish Catholic parents John & Matilda Docherty, from Derry. Edward married Catherine Higgins at St Mary's Chapel, Calton, Glasgow in 1889, and they were living at 18 Millroad Street, Calton.

Edward, who was also known as Ned, was a left winger who was playing with Jordanhill by 1891-92, and represented the Glasgow Junior FA that season, so he was obviously doing well. At Jordanhill, he and his inside left partner, James Ingram, impressed against Partick Thistle Swifts in April 1892, and were quickly lined-up as Partick Thistle players with a view to being involved in 1892-93. Edward actually got his initial chance to shine in a Scottish Alliance match away to King's Park on 23rd April 1892, Thistle running out winners by 3 goals to 2. Some months later, according to the Scottish Referee's match preview, both players were down to play in the Celtic game on 6th August 1892, but only James Ingram made it in the end, Edward Docherty's place seemingly taken by Kennedy on the day.

James Ingram soon returned to Jordanhill and Edward never did make a second appearance at Thistle, for he headed down south that month, attracted by Notts County who, at that time, were ever-presents in the Football League. A Second Division was also being introduced for the first time in that 1892-93 season. Edward featured in several first-class matches for County that term, and scored in the 3-1 win over Preston North End on 1st October 1892, a great highlight for him. Alas, County would gain the ignominious distinction of being the first English Football League club to be relegated, following the double-whammy of defeat in the play-offs and losing out in the subsequent election ballot. Edward, along with J. Parke, was freed by the club in January, before relegation was confirmed.

By the springtime of 1894, Edward had returned to Glasgow and began his second spell with Jordanhill. He spent season 1894-95 with Duntocher Harp before heading south once more, this time signing with Lincoln City in July, 1895. From there, he transferred to Burnbank Swifts on 4 November 1895, with whom he played a number games in the Scottish Alliance, before falling off the footballing radar during 1896.

Edward's family were bombed out during the blitz of 1941 and moved to Partick. He died of Myocarditis in January 1943 at Oakbank Hospital, his usual address being noted as 8 Meadow Road, Partick. Informant was Annie Brown, his daughter, who was living at 49 Livingstone Street, Clydebank. Edwards great grandson, Alan McCrorie, confirms that Edward and his wife, Catherine (Kate) are buried at St Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth, about 5 mins along the road from Celtic Park. Unfortunately, the grave is not marked. Brilliantly, both Alan and his late father are/were Thistle supporters!