The bearded (w)on(d)e(r) signs

Lynch pin of Peter Taylor’s Wycombe Wanderers midfield Tommy Doherty has signed for Bradford City on a two year deal as he returns to English football following a half year with Turks Hungarian side Ferencvaros as the former City boss makes his second capture from the club he last managed in two days.

Arriving a day after Luke Oliver made the trip 31 year old Doherty is well remember for an imperious display at Valley Parade in the engine room of Taylor’s promotion bound side in February 2008 with our own Jason McKeown saying at the time

(Wycombe’s) movement off the ball when on the attack was impressive with players marking late runs from deep and in the centre Tom Docherty (sic) was excelling by playing deep and pinging some probing passes forward.

Other simply dubbed him The Gattuso of Wycombe.

Having been one of not few players to fall out with Taylor’s replacement at The Chairboys Gary Waddock Doherty has been freed allowing Taylor to snap up the player who will bring an accurate pass, a drive and no little talent to the Bantams midfield. With Mark Lawn talking of his desire to see Michael Flynn and Lee Bullock retained at the club it would seem that Doherty’s arrival concludes Adam Bolder’s time at Valley Parade.

Doherty’s two year deal, as with Oliver’s, is a year in excess of his manager’s own contract. Having previously played for near 200 games Bristol City and QPR – and having international experience – Doherty would seem to be the very type of player which Taylor has previously hung a promotion side on and it would seem that he hopes to do the same again.

Doherty sports what I’m sure we can all agree is a fine beard.