Career
He spent most of his playing career with Bishop Auckland scoring for them in each of their FA Amateur Cup finals at Wembley in 1955, 1956 and 1957. In 1953, his talent attracted the eyes of the Oldham Athletic player manager George Hardwick who persuaded him to sign amateur forms. Although he found little time to train with his professional colleagues due to pressure of work in his family"s business, his natural ability served the club well.
In 1958 following the crash at Munich Airport involving Manchester United, Derek brought Bob Hardisty and Warren Bradley to Old Trafford to assist the club through the problems of meeting their fixtures.
In 1970 Derek became a director of Blackpool Football Club. He is now a Life Past President of Lancashire Football Association. He rose to President of this Association.
He joined the Association in 1972 as a Council member. He was a Vice-President from 1985-1995 and President from 1995-2004 when he became Life Past President.
In 1991 he was elected to represent Lancashire County on the Council of the Football Association and he served this national body until 2006.
