We were deeply saddened to hear that well known former Heriot’s Rugby Club player Steve Dougherty passed away last week, aged 59 years, after a brave fight against cancer. Steve played for the club for many years throughout the 1980’s and into the early 90’s.
Steve, a fast and elusive centre featured regularly for the 1st XV. He particularly excelled at 7’s where his pace and sidestep were major factors in helping the club to a number of successes. He captained the Under 20 seven to victory in the Goldenacre 7s 1980, and who can forget him gliding through the London Welsh team in the final of the Middlesex 7s final in 1984, a team full of Welsh caps. He added guile and flair to the team that won the Hillhead 7s with a forward line up of Iain Milne, Kenny Milne, Jock Millican. And played in the winning team at Jedburgh in 1987. An enthusiastic tourist whether that be a trip across the water to Lansdowne or further afield to Boston, USA. Steve would never be without his ever-present hairdryer, always keen to ensure his ‘strawberry blonde’ locks were well groomed!
Steve continued to support the club after his playing career ended and, in his capacity as a senior partner in the law firm, Shoosmiths, was instrumental in securing the firm’s support as one of the Clubs main sponsors. He was regularly to be found at the sponsors’ lunches enjoying the convivial surroundings. Quietly spoken with an acerbic wit, he was a loyal and popular friend and colleague to many at the club.
Steve was also a keen (a bandit off 17!) golfer being a member at both Bruntsfield Links and North Berwick and was often to be heard wondering how some of the ‘donkey’ forwards of his generation could possibly be better at golf than him. That tongue in cheek humour typified the man.
Above all Steve was a loving family man and our thoughts are with his wife Evelyn, daughter Anna and all other family members at this sad time.
He will be greatly missed by all at the club and in the wider community.
A great loss for our Club. A much respected and admired man who had a scything sense of humour.
Nicely written piece on a great character. Terribly sad to lose such a great guy.
Well said Mel / Watty. What a great guy, a really classy player and always hilarious company.
What a sad loss
So sad and too young to go. Steve was a star when he played for the Heriot’s 7’s team at the Mackie Academy FP tournament,
great to watch.
Dougie Bruce
Great Guy tight shorts , strawberry blond quiff and razor sharp humour .
A true Nail .
He’ll be greatly missed .
Deeply saddened to hear of Steve Doc’s passing. A great adversary and lovely guy.
Worked, drank, golfed, laughed, travelled and spent so many happy memories with him.
Top guy.
Julian
Steve was a great friend on and off the pitch. A few words here will never convey all he was…but I will try. If he was in your team ..it would be a good day win or lose….great in attack and making breaks…quick…really quick …and strong in defence. Communicated well …aka chatty…very chatty….as a winger playing outside him when he was a centre he mostly tried to make me look good. Ok…he couldn’t succeed at everything…If he was in your company on a night out..it would be a great night…his conversation was side splitting ……if you needed him professionally..it would be done well. My heart goes out to Evelyn and Anna and I hope that his friends can get together this year and celebrate his life. RIP Steve x