A section of Sheffield's Inner Relief Road will be renamed Derek Dooley Way in a tribute to the footballing legend who passed away in March this year.

The news was announced on Tuesday, when Owls striker Akpo Sodje and Blades hitman James Beattie joined Councillor Paul Scriven and Derek's wife Sylvia at the site of the tribute.

Sheffield City Council has been working with the Dooley family to make a fitting tribute to a man who was revered by fans at both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. A number of ideas were looked into before deciding on renaming the new section of the Inner Relief Road. The road provides a link between both clubs in the city.

Sylvia said of the tribute: "I am absolutely delighted that the Inner Relief Road will be named after Derek. It is such a great honour. The road links both football clubs, so this is certainly a fitting tribute."

Derek was born on 13th December 1929 in Pitsmoor, Sheffield and was one of the few footballers in the city to earn the respect from both sets of the City's two main football clubs.

Councillor Scriven, Leader at Sheffield City Council said: "Derek was loved by football fans across Sheffield and beyond. He was one of the city's true legends and one of the most respected people in sport. It is wholly appropriate to name this section of the Inner Relief Road after Derek to acknowledge his great popularity throughout the city. I don't think sport will again see a man who can bridge such a fierce rivalry and be loved by everyone.

"I'm glad we can make this tribute to Derek, he will remain part of the fabric of Sheffield forever."

The new section of the Inner Relief Road currently named Cutler's Gate will be renamed Derek Dooley Way. The Council is working with properties on the stretch to amend business addresses and contact details before installing permanent signs.