My paternal grandfather, who was born in 1909 and died in 1989, always said that Doherty was the best outfield player City had in his time watching us and Swift was our best 'keeper. As far as I've been able to ascertain, I think both of these views were reasonably commonly held among those who watched us in the thirties and were alive to see the successful sides of the fifties, sixties and seventies.
One thing my grandad did say was that, in the thirties when Doherty was at his peak, the old timers then used to say that he wasn't as good as the young Meredith. He saw Meredith when the Welshman came back to City at the end of his career when past his best, and thought in that incarnation he wasn't nearly as good as Doherty.
Please don't ask whether Doherty was the best he every saw. I really don't remember what he said about that. I was interested only in his memories of City back then.
One thing my grandad did say was that, in the thirties when Doherty was at his peak, the old timers then used to say that he wasn't as good as the young Meredith. He saw Meredith when the Welshman came back to City at the end of his career when past his best, and thought in that incarnation he wasn't nearly as good as Doherty.
Please don't ask whether Doherty was the best he every saw. I really don't remember what he said about that. I was interested only in his memories of City back then.