John_McMenemy

John McMenemy

John McMenemy

Scottish footballer

John McMenemy (9 February 1908 – 5 February 1983) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Celtic, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, St Mirren and Scotland.[1]

Quick Facts Personal information, Date of birth ...

Career

Club

Born in Glasgow, McMenemy played as an inside-right. He began his career with local Junior club St Roch's before signing for Celtic in 1925, aged 17. He remained a squad player during his three seasons with the club, making 15 league appearances.[2][3] He played only one match in the Scottish Cup: the final of the 1926–27 edition, which his team won with a 3–1 victory over East Fife.[4]

In 1928, McMenemy moved to fellow top-tier club Motherwell where he became an important member of the side in the most prominent period of their history under manager 'Sailor' Hunter.[5] They finished third in the league in 1929 (albeit a huge margin behind Rangers), narrowed the gap to five points as runners-up in 1930, and to four in third place in 1931. In the 1931 Scottish Cup McMenemy played in another final, but Motherwell lost to his former club Celtic in a replay,[6] having conceded a last-minute equaliser in the first match at Hampden Park despite leading by two goals (one by McMenemy).[7]

The following season, 1931–32, saw Motherwell become league champions for the first and only time.[8] In 1932–33 the Steelmen came close to success again, but finished second in the league and once more were defeated by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.[9] They finished just behind champions Rangers and reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals in 1934, but had now peaked as a group, dropping down to seventh place the next season.

It is also worth noting that McMenemy's primary role was as a creator, and that the Motherwell centre forward Willie MacFadyen scored a huge number of league goals (194, including 52 in the title-winning campaign)[8] during five consecutive seasons they played alongside one another.

in 1936 McMenemy, now aged 28, departed from Fir Park, signing for Partick Thistle for a fee of £1,000.[8] In January 1938 he moved again within the Greater Glasgow area to play with St Mirren, being released in May 1939 after making 11 appearances for the Paisley club.[10][3]

International

McMenemy received one cap for Scotland (replacing his brother who had pulled out of the squad due to injury),[11][12] a 3–2 loss to Wales in Cardiff. He also appeared three times for the Scottish League XI, all during his spell with Motherwell.[13]

Personal life

John was the son of Celtic player Jimmy (winner of the Scottish Football League championship[14] and the Scottish Cup[15] several times each, the last in 1921) and the elder brother of Harry[11] (winner of the FA Cup with Newcastle United in 1932)[16][17] who both also played in the inside forward position. Another brother, Joe, featured for Strathclyde Juniors in the 1930s.[18] They are distantly related to Lawrie McMenemy.[16]

In 2016, his Motherwell championship medal was auctioned[19] with the winning bidder loaning the item back to the club for display.[20]

References

  1. [1]
    (Smith 2013, p. 196)
  2. [2]
    "Celtic player John McMenemy profile". Fitbastats. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  3. [3]
    "John McMenemy". Play Up Liverpool. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  4. [4]
    "Celtic 2–1 East Fife, Scottish Cup (newspaper report scans)". The Celtic Wiki. 16 April 1927. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  5. [5]
    "John McMenemy profile". Motherwellnet. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Celtic 2–2 Motherwell, Scottish Cup (newspaper report scans)". The Celtic Wiki. 11 April 1931. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  7. [7]
    "Celtic 4–2 Motherwell, Scottish Cup (newspaper report scans)". The Celtic Wiki. 15 April 1931. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  8. [8]
    "Club History 1930-1939". Motherwell F.C. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  9. [9]
    "Celtic 1–0 Motherwell, Scottish Cup (newspaper report scans)". The Celtic Wiki. 17 April 1933. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  10. [10]
    "Player profiles Mc". StMirren.info. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  11. [11]
    "Scotland - International Matches 1931-1939". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  12. [12]
    The Brothers McMenemy, The Glasgow Herald, 28 September 1933
  13. [13]
    "SFL Player John McMenemy Appearances". Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  14. [14]
    "Jimmy McMenemy - a true Celtic legend". Celtic F.C. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  15. [15]
    "How Partick Thistle won the Scottish Cup". The Sunday Post via Partick Thistle History Archive. 17 April 1921. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  16. [16]
    "Profile". Toon1892. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  17. [17]
    "FA Cup Final 1932". FA Cup History (unofficial site). Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  18. [18]
    Webster, Jack (7 October 1989). "First reunion of the 1938 stalwarts". The Herald (Glasgow). Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  19. [19]
    "Historic Motherwell FC medal up for auction". Evening Times. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  20. [20]
    "Players get a piece of club history". Motherwell F.C. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
Sources
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