Neil McBain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neil McBain (November 15, 1895-May 13, 1974)) was a Scottish professional footballer and football manager. He remains the oldest player to appear in an English Football League match.
[edit] Playing career
McBain, a wing-half, began his senior football career in the summer of 1914, joining Ayr United. He moved to Manchester United in November 1921 for a fee of £4,600. His Scotland international debut came in April 1922, in a 1-0 victory against England at Villa Park.
In January 1923, after 42 league games for United, McBain moved to Everton, costing the Goodison Park side £4,200. He won two further Scotland caps while with Everton, in 1923 against Ireland and in 1924 against Wales. He played 97 league games for Everton, leaving in July 1926 to join St. Johnstone for a fee of £1,100.
He returned to Merseyside in March 1928, joining Liverpool, but played only 12 times before joining Watford in November the same year.
[edit] Coaching and managerial career
He was appointed player-manager of Watford in 1929, retiring as a player in 1931 after playing 85 times for Watford. He left Watford in August 1937 and took over as manager of Ayr United later that year. In June 1938 he returned to England, as manager of Luton Town, but left Luton in June 1939.
He was appointed as manager of New Brighton in June 1946. Late in 1947, New Brighton had an injury crisis, particularly among their goalkeepers. With no other option McBain played in goal against Hartlepool United at the age of 52 years and 4 months. He was sacked by New Brighton in February 1948 with the club bottom of the league. Later that month he joined Leyton Orient as assistant to Charlie Hewitt, but in August 1948 took over as manager after Hewitt left to rejoin Millwall. In August 1949, McBain left Orient to manage Argentinian side Estudiantes de La Plata.
McBain returned to Ayr United, as manager, in 1955, taking the club to promotion as Scottish Division Two runners-up in 1956, but in August 1956 left to manage Watford for a second time, his second spell lasting until February 1959.
His final spell as a manager came again at Ayr United, between 1962 and 1963.
He died in 1974 aged 78.
| Preceded by Fred Pagnam |
Watford F.C. Manager 1929-1937 |
Succeeded by Bill Findlay |
| Preceded by ? |
Ayr United F.C. Manager 1937-1938 |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Ted Liddell |
Luton Town F.C. Manager 1938-1939 |
Succeeded by George Martin |
| Preceded by Bill Sawyer |
New Brighton F.C. Manager 1946-1948 |
Succeeded by Jack Atkinson |
| Preceded by Charlie Hewitt |
Leyton Orient F.C. Manager 1948-1949 |
Succeeded by Alec Stock |
| Preceded by ? |
Estudiantes de La Plata Manager 1949-? |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Reuben Bennet |
Ayr United F.C. Manager 1955-1956 |
Succeeded by Jacky Cox |
| Preceded by Johnny Paton |
Watford F.C. Manager 1956-1959 |
Succeeded by Ron Burgess |
| Preceded by Gerry Mays |
Ayr United F.C. Manager 1962-1963 |
Succeeded by Bobby Flavell |
Categories: 1895 births | 1974 deaths | Scottish footballers | Scotland international footballers | Ayr United F.C. players | Manchester United F.C. players | Everton F.C. players | St Johnstone F.C. players | Liverpool F.C. players | Watford F.C. players | Scottish football managers | Watford F.C. managers | Ayr United F.C. managers | Luton Town F.C. managers | New Brighton A.F.C. managers | New Brighton A.F.C. players | Leyton Orient F.C. managers | Estudiantes de La Plata managers
