Having previously been manager of
Cambridge United between January 1978 and 13 December 1983 and
Brentford, and briefly coaching at
St Clement Danes School after leaving Brentford, his spell at Cambridge United saw the club in the
Second Division where they managed respectable finishes, with eighth in
1979–80 being their highest. The following season saw the side as outside contenders for promotion before a late slump saw them finish 13th. He was appointed Millwall manager in May 1986 following the departure of
George Graham to
Arsenal. but still, this remains their highest league finishing position to date. The 1989–90 season started well for Millwall, and they again briefly topped the league in September, but won only two more league games all season and were relegated in bottom place. Just before relegation was confirmed, Docherty was dismissed in favour of
Bruce Rioch in February 1990. Docherty's next stop was at
Bradford City, in March 1990, He was in charge for 20 months before being sacked on 11 November 1991, to make way for
Frank Stapleton. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season and he was replaced by
Billy Bonds. == Personal life and death ==