Mike Doughty

Mike Doughty was educated at Kingston Grammar School where he was a fine athlete (sprint hurdler). He also enjoyed playing cricket and his first love, hockey. After leaving school, Doughty did his two years National Service in the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). During his time with the REME he played hockey for them, and also for Aldershot Services, The Army, and the Combined Services.

Doughty became one of the finest hockey players produced by Kingston school and later played for the Old Kingstonians, Surrey, and the South of England. Sadly, at the age of 26, on 24 January 1959, he was hit in the eye with a ball in a match against Southgate. The injury was so serious it necessitated the eye being removed. After eight England caps, Doughty’s international career as an outstanding outside-left was over. He also played for Great Britain and was in the squad that finished fourth at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Doughty was invited to become the first coach of the Old Kingstonian Club in 1961. Also, his employers, the Bank of England, asked him to run their sports club at Roehampton, which he did for a couple of years before returning to the bank to become a head in their exchange control department, until taking early retirement at the age of 45.

Doughty did return to the bank to collaborate with the writing of a book about their sports club. He also had spells coaching at the Cheam and Epsom hockey clubs and eventually became general secretary of the Epsom club. Doughty was also a keen golfer, playing off a handicap of 15 at one time.