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John McMenemy (9 February 1908 – 5 February 1983) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Celtic, Motherwell, Partick Thistle, St Mirren and Scotland.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 February 1908 | ||
| Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 5 February 1983 (aged 74) | ||
| Place of death | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| St Roch's | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1925–1928 | Celtic | 15 | (2) |
| 1928–1936 | Motherwell | 241 | (62) |
| 1936–1938 | Partick Thistle | 32 | (4) |
| 1938–1939 | St Mirren | 10 | (2) |
| Total | 298 | (70) | |
| International career | |||
| 1931–1933 | Scottish League XI | 3 | (0) |
| 1933 | Scotland | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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.[3][4] 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.[5]
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.[6] 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,[7] having conceded a last-minute equaliser in the first match at Hampden Park despite leading by two goals (one by McMenemy).[8]
The following season, 1931–32, saw Motherwell become league champions for the first and only time.[9] 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.[10] 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)[9] 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.[9] 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.[11][4]
International
McMenemy received one cap for Scotland (replacing his brother who had pulled out of the squad due to injury),[12][13] a 3–2 loss to Wales in Cardiff. He also appeared three times for the Scottish League XI, all during his spell with Motherwell.[14]
John was the son of Celtic player Jimmy (winner of the Scottish Football League championship[15] and the Scottish Cup[16] several times each, the last in 1921) and the elder brother of Harry[12] (winner of the FA Cup with Newcastle United in 1932)[17][18] who both also played in the inside forward position. Another brother, Joe, featured for Strathclyde Juniors in the 1930s.[19] They are distantly related to Lawrie McMenemy.[17]
In 2016, his Motherwell championship medal was auctioned[20] with the winning bidder loaning the item back to the club for display.[21]
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