Born in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Doherty began his career with Glentoran in the Irish League. He worked first a bricklayer and then as a bus conductor.[2] After helping Glentoran to the 1933 Irish Cup,[3] early in the 1933–34 season Doherty joined English club Blackpool for a £2,000 fee, at the age of 19.[2] He joined Manchester City on 19 February 1936 for a then-club record of £10,000.[4] Blackpool needed the money urgently, and Doherty was summoned from his lunch to report to Bloomfield Road.