Tommy Doherty is a hugely popular central midfielder who signed on a permanent deal with the Blues in January 2008 after three successful loan deals with the club.

Formerly of hometown club Bristol City, the Ulsterman, who has gained eight caps for at international level with Northern Ireland, won a move to the Championship with QPR at the beginning of the 2005/06 campaign.

However, fortunes were mixed at Loftus Road and despite making 14 appearances at the start of the campaign, he was shipped out on loan to Yeovil Town in January where a foot injury in his opening game ruled him out for the remainder of his spell.

Placed on the transfer list by former R's boss Gary Waddock in April as a result of his club reshuffle, Doherty moved on loan to Adams Park and excelled in his first three-month spell, prompting Paul Lambert to snap him up on a longer deal until the end of the season. The 'Doc' was also named in the League Two PFA Team of the Year.

The Blues had hoped to sign Doherty in the summer of 2007 but the midfielder contracted appendicitis, delaying the move until October 2007. Doherty was forced to watch from the sidelines while he built up match practice but became a regular in the side in December alongside Gary Holt in the heart of the midfield.

Doherty then made his move permanent in January 2008, meaning he'll remain a Wanderer until July 2010.