John McGrath (English footballer)
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| John McGrath | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Thomas McGrath | |
| Date of birth | 23 August 1938 | |
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | |
| Date of death | 25 December 1998 (aged 60) | |
| Place of death | Manchester, England | |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | |
| Playing position | Defender | |
| Youth career | ||
| – – |
Miles Platting Swifts Bolton Wanderers |
|
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1955–1960 1960–1968 1968–1974 1973 |
Bury Newcastle United Southampton → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) |
148 (2) 170 (2) 168 (1) 3 (0) |
| Teams managed | ||
| 1979–1983 1984 1986–1990 1992 |
Port Vale Chester City Preston North End Halifax Town |
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|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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John Thomas McGrath (23 August 1938 – 25 December 1998) was an English footballer and manager in the Football League.
Contents |
[edit] Playing career
McGrath started out as an amateur player with local team Miles Platting Swifts and then Bolton Wanderers, but it was with Bury that he began his professional career in October 1955.[1] In 1960 however, McGrath found himself the subject of a bid by Newcastle United and after nearly five years with Bury, in which he made 148 appearances scoring two goals, he left for St James' Park for a £24,000 fee.[1]
Because of his no nonsense attitude and uncompromising style as a defender McGrath soon became a real favourite with the Toon Army and in seven years with the Geordies played 170 games scoring two goals before making the long trip to Southampton in 1968 for £30,000.[1]
McGrath again became somewhat of a cult hero with The Dell faithful during what was a difficult time for the club, not only playing 168 games, but also making his mark as a very shrewd coach. He also during this period played three games on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
[edit] Coaching and management
[edit] Port Vale
After retiring from playing at the end of 1973-74 season McGrath joined the Southampton coaching staff but it was after becoming Port Vale manager in December 1979 that he really found his true vocation. A man of discipline, within his first fortnight with the club he had levied two fines.[2] He demanded dedication and effort from his players and managed to steady the ship at Vale Park, eventually led the club to promotion in 1982-83.[2] The following season however McGrath was in conflict with chairman Jim Lloyd, who instructed him to speak to the press only on team matters. By December 1983, Vale were three points adrift at the foot of Division Three and McGrath was sacked.[2]
[edit] Chester City
He became manager of Chester City in January 1984, who were struggling at the foot of the Fourth Division, but some improved results (including a derby win over Wrexham) gave cause for optimism for the following season. McGrath added experience in players such as John Butcher, Steve Fox, Mick Speight and Nigel Walker but Chester continued to struggle at the wrong end of Division Four. He lost his job in December 1984, after a 5–1 loss to Stockport County. Although results were not always impressive, McGrath began to mould the side that would to go on to win promotion in 1985–86 after further strengthening by Mick Speight and Harry McNally. McGrath gave future England international Lee Dixon his first taste of regular first-team football when at Chester.
[edit] Preston North End
Twelve months later though that changed as Preston North End came calling. This once proud club was on its knees and after ending the 1985–86 season in 91st position (in the Football League) they needed some new blood and new ideas. McGrath was just the man for the job, although he was not the board's not first choice, with Preston courting the services of Tranmere manager Johnny King and Port Vale boss John Rudge before settling on McGrath.
With the newly laid plastic pitch already installed McGrath assembled a squad of free transfer old pros, lower league journeymen and young cast-offs to fire the team to promotion in his first season. He was seen as a hero and after four years of relative success McGrath departed in February 1990 leaving Preston in a far healthier position that when he'd found them. Apart from a short spell in charge of Halifax Town in 1992 he never managed again.
[edit] Career after football
John became for a while a much sought after after dinner speaker, but on Christmas Day 1998 he died suddenly at his Manchester home.
[edit] Honours
[edit] As a player
- Football League Third Division champions: 1960-61
- Football League Second Division champions: 1964-65
[edit] As a manager
- Football League Fourth Division third place: 1982-83 (promoted)
- Football League Fourth Division runners-up: 1986-87 (promoted)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "John McGrath". Nigel's Webspace. http://cards.littleoak.com.au/player_pages/004%20john%20mcgrath.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
- ^ a b c Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 193. ISBN 0952915200. http://www.amazon.ca/Port-Vale-Personalities-Jeff-Kent/dp/0952915200.
[edit] External links
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