Where Are They Now?                                   Profiles of ex-Luton players

Gary Doherty

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Height: 6ft 02". Weight: 13st, 1lb. Born: Carndonagh, 31.01.1980. Nationality: Eire. International Honours: Republic of Ireland 6 full caps (as of June 1st 2001), U-21 6 caps, 25 Youth caps. UEFA Under-18 Championship winner 1998.

Gary signed professional forms for Luton during the 1997 close season having been at the club from the age of 11. He is able to operate both as a central defender or as a centre forward, but has stated that he prefers to play in defence. As a youngster, he also represented Sacred Hearts Youth, Luton Schools and Bedfordshire County Schools.

He had an impressive full debut for Luton in a 3-0 home win over Plymouth Argyle in October of the 1997-98 season, heading on his 'keeper's clearance for Tony Thorpe to score. He helped Luton's youth side to a second consecutive South East Counties title, and was voted joint Young Player of the Year for the 1997-98 campaign with Matthew Spring. He may well have got more chances in the first-team had the side not been struggling, but he still managed a total of 11 appearances in all competitions.

He was again involved in the first-team in the 1998-99 season, playing a total of 24 matches, although 18 of those were as a substitute. He was used as a striker during an injury crisis by manager Lennie Lawrence and finished the season with a total of 6 goals, including a first senior goal in a 2-2 away draw with Lincoln City. Eire manager Mick McCarthy showed how much of a prospect he thought Gary was by promoting him to the senior squad for a friendly with Mexico on Saturday, May 23rd 1998.

Doherty celebrates a Luton goal.

It was during the 1999-00 season that Gary truly flourished with Luton. Playing regularly as a central defender, he was arguably the most consistent player and alongside Marvin Johnson and Julian Watts, he was a lynchpin at the back. However, he was still used on occasions as a striker by Luton manager Lennie Lawrence - and the majority of times, he scored: as a substitute in the Worthington Cup at Bristol Rovers, twice in the FA Cup at home to Lincoln City, at home to Cambridge United, away to Chesterfield, at home to Colchester United, away at Scunthorpe United and at home to Bristol City. It was because of these goals that Lawrence decided to play Gary as a striker from the home match against Cambridge United on March 21st until the end of the season.  He scored a total of 9 goals, including a run of 5 goals in 5 games after being used as a striker.

His rich vein of goal scoring form attracted interest from a whole host of Premiership clubs and, after his run of 5 goals in 5 games, he was transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for £1million on March 27th 2000.  He was given his first international cap at senior level when he came on as a 71st minute substitute in a friendly against Greece on April 26th 2000 and he made his Tottenham debut at the end of the season when coming on with 20 minutes left of a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.  He played one more time in the Premiership during the 1999-00 season, coming on as a half-time substitute against Sunderland for his home debut - a game which Tottenham won 3-1.

He also earned his second full Eire cap when playing in a 1-1 friendly draw with USA in June 2000.  He was also recognised for his efforts with Luton - picking up the Player of the Year, Player Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year awards - despite now being a Tottenham player. 

He was one of Tottenham's major success stories of the 2000-01 season, making a huge impact on the campaign when he was introduced on a regular basis after the Christmas period.

He made his first start of the season as a striker in a poor display at Ipswich at the end of December, but his and the team’s fortunes took a significant upturn next time out against Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

Doherty celebrates his Spurs goal against Newcastle.

He was switched from attack to central defence, scored a goal, won a penalty and his all-round game won many admirers in a 4-2 triumph. He remained at the back and formed an effective trio with Chris Perry and Sol Campbell and scored vital FA Cup goals against Leyton Orient and Charlton as Tottenham reached the Semi-Finals where they faced their arch rivals Arsenal.  Gary gave Tottenham the led, heading home a Sergei Rebrov shot, but the Lilywhites could not hold on and they were eventually beaten 2-1.

He also earned another 3 full Eire caps during a personally very successful season.

David Pleat, Tottenham's Director of Football, has consistently said that, in the long term, he views ‘Doc’ as a striker and Glenn Hoddle has deployed him in that position since taking charge. Wherever he plays, Gary Doherty is set for a glittering career at the highest level.

Profile By:  James Garley