Former Northern Ireland forward Dougan dies

LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) Former Northern Ireland and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Derek Dougan has died at the age of 69.

Dougan scored more than 120 goals for Wolves in 320 games and was a member of their victorious 1974 League Cup side. His other clubs included Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Leicester City.

He won 43 international caps starting with the 1958 World Cup and during his time with Northern Ireland struck up a partnership with the late George Best. Dougan helped carry the coffin at Best's funeral in December, 2005.

He was also a former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and fought hard for radical changes in the transfer system.

REUTERS BJR RN1943