Team	Source	Date signed	Seasons	Games	Subs	Goals
Bury	Bolton W.(Am)	10.55	56-60	148	-	2
Newcastle United	Tr	02.61	60-67	169	1	2
Southampton	Tr	02.68	67-73	167	1	1
Brighton and Hove Albion	Loan	12.72	72	3	0	0
Total : 489 / 5				487	2	5

England Appearances :

English League	n/k	n/k
England U-23	1	n/k

This Obituary for John appeared in the 'Rothmans Football Yearbook 1999-2000'.

- Ed. Glenda Rollin and Jack Rollin (1999). Headline : London. Page 938.

John McGrath (b Manchester 23.8.38; d 25.12.98)

John was an imposing figure on a football field who gave everything to the cause; a centre half noted for his no-nonsense challenges, but a man who also possessed the ability to play himself out of trouble

He signed for Bury in October, 1955, after a short spell as an amateur with Bolton Wanderers, and won a Third Division Championship medal with the Shakers in 1961, even though he was prized away by Newcastle in February of that year, following 148 League games and two goals

1n March, 1961, he made his England Under-23 debut against West Gennany and celebrated as the intermediates won 4-1 John enjoyed further success at St James' Park, winning a Second Division Championship medal in 1965

After amassing 170 League appearances for the Magpies he was sought by Southamptun and arrived at The Dell in February, 1968. He was a colossus at the heart of the Saints defence, which included other never-say-die performers like Dennis Hollywood, Jimmy Gabriel and David Walker. A young Paul Bennett eventually took his first team place and, in December, 1972, after 168 League games and one goal.

He went to Brighton and Hove Albion, but only for a short three match loan spell. John returned to Southampton to take up a coaching position in 1975. Four years latcr, he was appointed boss of Port Vale and achieved promotion from the Fourth Division in 1983 in January, 1984, he took the vacant manager's job at Chester, but moved on to Preston North End two years later, and won promotion to the Third Division in 1987. He departed North End in 1990 and took over at Halifax thc following year where he remained until resigning in December, 1992.

For other links on this site ...

See article about John from March 1970.

For Further links see..

Nigel Mercer's Galleries of English Football Cards

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Bob Dunning

19 April 2006

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