John McGrath (footballer born 1938)
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For the former Kidderminster Harriers, Weymouth & current Tamworth player see John McGrath (footballer born 1980).
| John McGrath | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Thomas McGrath | |
| Date of birth | August 23, 1938 | |
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | |
| Date of death | December 25, 1998 (aged 60) | |
| Place of death | Manchester, England | |
| Playing position | Defender | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Deceased | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Bolton Wanderers, Miles Platting Swifts | ||
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1956-1960 1960-1967 1967-1974 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 |
|
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
John McGrath (23 August 1938 – 25 December 1998) was a player and manager in the Football League.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
McGrath started out as an amateur player with Bolton Wanderers and local team Miles Platting Swifts but it was with Bury that he began his professional career in 1956. 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 2 goals he left for St James' Park.
[edit] A Geordie hero
Because of his no nonsense attitude and uncompromising style as a defender John soon became a real favourite with the Toon Army and in seven years with the geordies played 170 games scoring 2 goals before making the long trip to Southampton in 1967.
[edit] The move south
John 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(1 goal) but also making his mark as a very shrewd coach. He also during this period played 3 games on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
[edit] Coaching and management
After retiring at the end of 1973-74 season John joined the Southampton coaching staff but it was after becoming Port Vale manager in December 1979 that he really found his true vocation. After steadying the ship at Vale Park McGrath eventually led the club to promotion in 1982-83. The following season however John was sacked as Vale struggled and after 18 months with Chester City John found himself without a job in May 1985.
[edit] Preston's saviour
Twelve months later though that changed as Preston North End came calling. This once proud club was dying on its knees and after ending the 1985-86 season in 91st position they needed some new blood and new ideas.McGrath was just the man for the job.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 a hero.However after 4 years of relative success McGrath departed in February 1990 leaving Preston in a far healthier position that when he'd found them and apart from a short spell in charge of Halifax Town in 1992 he never managed again. John became for a while a much sought for after dinner speaker but on Christmas Day 1998 the football world shook when he died suddenly at his Manchester home.
[edit] External links
- John McGrath management career stats at Soccerbase
- Profile on English football cards
- Feature on SaintsChat
| Preceded by Alan Bloor |
Port Vale manager 1979-1983 |
Succeeded by John Rudge |
| Preceded by John Sainty |
Chester City manager 1983-1985 |
Succeeded by Mick Speight |
| Preceded by Jonothan Clark (Caretaker) |
Preston North End manager 1986-1990 |
Succeeded by Les Chapman |
| Preceded by Jim McCalliog |
Halifax Town manager 1992 |
Succeeded by Mick Rathbone |
Categories: 1938 births | 1998 deaths | English footballers | Bolton Wanderers F.C. players | Bury F.C. players | Newcastle United F.C. players | Southampton F.C. players | Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players | Port Vale F.C. managers | Chester City F.C. managers | Preston North End F.C. managers | Halifax Town A.F.C. managers | People of Irish descent in Great Britain
