Andy McCombie
Encyclopedia
Andrew McCombie was a Scottish
international footballer who played at right back
for North East England
rival clubs Sunderland
and Newcastle United
. He won the Football League
championship with both clubs, and was twice on the losing side in the FA Cup
final. He went on to have a long career as a coach
with Newcastle.
and started his career at Inverness Thistle
before moving south of the border to join Sunderland
in December 1898. He made his first team debut away to Sheffield Wednesday
on 18 February 1899, while regular right-back Philip Bach
was playing for England
at Roker Park
, Sunderland. In Bach's absence on international duty, McCombie took over at right-back in a 1–0 victory. Bach was unable to regain his place, making only two further appearances before he was transferred to Middlesbrough
.
McCombie was an ever-present in his first full season, with Sunderland finishing third in the League table. The following season
McCombie only missed one game as Sunderland finished runners-up, with McCombie and Jimmy Watson
teaming up in front of goal-keeper Ned Doig
. The three Scottish internationals appeared in a notable total of 109 league and cup games between February 1900 and February 1904 when McCombie was transferred to Newcastle United.
In 1901–02 McCombie missed the final eight games, as Sunderland claimed the Championship by a three point margin over Everton
.
His first international appearance for Scotland
came in a 1–0 victory over Wales
on 9 March 1903. In the next match, against England
on 4 April, McCombie was teamed in defence with his Sunderland colleagues, Doig and Watson, resulting in a Scottish victory by 2 goals to 1.
In 1903
, Sunderland were rocked by a financial scandal involving McCombie. Sunderland's board of Directors gave the player £100 in order to start up in business, with the view that his benefit game would see him repay the money. McCombie however saw the money as a gift and refused to pay back the club. The Football Association
launched an inquiry and agreed with McCombie, stating that it was a "resigning/win/draw bonus" and furthermore the books of Sunderland showed financial irregularities, and so violating the rules of the game. Sunderland were fined £250, with six directors being suspended for two and a half years, and manager Alex Mackie
receiving a suspension.
Shortly afterwards, McCombie was transferred to arch-rivals Newcastle United
signing for them in February 1904. His final appearance for Sunderland was in a 6–0 victory over Bury
on 23 January 1904. In his 5 years with Sunderland, he made a total of 164 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals. His last goal came against his future employers, a penalty in a 1–1 draw at Roker Park on 1 January 1904.
, exceeding the fee of £520 paid by Sunderland in June 1904 for Alf Common
. He was to remain on the payroll at Newcastle until shortly before his death.
He made his Newcastle debut in a 4–1 victory over Notts County
on 13 February 1904. In his first match back at Roker Park
for his new employers on 24 December 1904 he scored a first-minute own goal
as Sunderland ran out 3–1 victors. In his first full season at St James' Park
he missed only three games as Newcastle claimed the Football League
title for the first time by a single point margin over Everton
. He capped this with two further appearances for Scotland
with a 3–1 victory over Wales
on 6 March 1905 and a 1–0 defeat by England
on 1 April. In the last match, played at Crystal Palace
, he was joined by Newcastle colleagues Andy Aitken
, Peter McWilliam
and James Howie
.
A fortnight after his final Scotland appearance, he was part of the Newcastle United team which was beaten at the Crystal Palace ground 2–0 in the cup final
by Aston Villa
. He was to return to Crystal Palace for the 1906 FA Cup Final
, when he was again on the losing side as Newcastle went down 1–0 to Everton
.
Newcastle claimed the title for a second time in 1907 with McCombie making 26 appearances. In Newcastle's third championship season, 1908–09
, McCombie only made one appearance. He remained as a player at St James' Park until 1910, with his final game being a 4–0 defeat at Aston Villa
on 27 April 1910.
In his six years at Newcastle, he made a total of 132 first team appearances, never scoring.
Newcastle United
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
international footballer who played at right back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for North East England
North East England
North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...
rival clubs Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. He won the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
championship with both clubs, and was twice on the losing side in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final. He went on to have a long career as a coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
with Newcastle.
Sunderland
McCombie was born in InvernessInverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
and started his career at Inverness Thistle
Inverness Thistle F.C.
Inverness Thistle Football Club were a football club playing in the city of Inverness in northern Scotland.They were members of the Highland Football League, winning the championship five times, including its inaugural season: 1893–94. They wore black and red stripes and played their home...
before moving south of the border to join Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in December 1898. He made his first team debut away to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
on 18 February 1899, while regular right-back Philip Bach
Philip Bach
Philip Bach was an English footballer who played at full back. He played his club football for various teams including Middlesbrough and Sunderland and made one appearance for England in 1899. He was later the chairman of Middlesbrough F.C. for a total of 18 years.-Playing career:Bach was born in...
was playing for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
, Sunderland. In Bach's absence on international duty, McCombie took over at right-back in a 1–0 victory. Bach was unable to regain his place, making only two further appearances before he was transferred to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
McCombie was an ever-present in his first full season, with Sunderland finishing third in the League table. The following season
1900-01 in English football
The 1900–01 season was the 30th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Stockport County played their first season in the football league. Blackpool also returned to the league, at the expenses of Loughborough and Luton Town.-Honours:...
McCombie only missed one game as Sunderland finished runners-up, with McCombie and Jimmy Watson
Jimmy Watson (footballer born 1877)
James Watson was a Scottish footballer who played at full back. He won the Football League championship with Sunderland in 1901–02 and made six appearances for Scotland.-Early career:...
teaming up in front of goal-keeper Ned Doig
Ned Doig
John Edward 'Ned' Doig was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played the peak of his career for Sunderland, in a famous period of time in the club's history where they were dubbed the 'team of all talents'. Noted for his exceptional performances in goal, he was also famously shy...
. The three Scottish internationals appeared in a notable total of 109 league and cup games between February 1900 and February 1904 when McCombie was transferred to Newcastle United.
In 1901–02 McCombie missed the final eight games, as Sunderland claimed the Championship by a three point margin over Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
His first international appearance for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
came in a 1–0 victory over Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 9 March 1903. In the next match, against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
on 4 April, McCombie was teamed in defence with his Sunderland colleagues, Doig and Watson, resulting in a Scottish victory by 2 goals to 1.
In 1903
1903-04 in English football
The 1903–04 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:For the first time ever, a London team, Woolwich Arsenal, is promoted to the First Division and makes the League's reach nationwide...
, Sunderland were rocked by a financial scandal involving McCombie. Sunderland's board of Directors gave the player £100 in order to start up in business, with the view that his benefit game would see him repay the money. McCombie however saw the money as a gift and refused to pay back the club. The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
launched an inquiry and agreed with McCombie, stating that it was a "resigning/win/draw bonus" and furthermore the books of Sunderland showed financial irregularities, and so violating the rules of the game. Sunderland were fined £250, with six directors being suspended for two and a half years, and manager Alex Mackie
Alex Mackie
Alex Mackie was manager of Middlesbrough F.C. between June 1905 and May 1906.Mackie played his early football in Aberdeen before joining the Glasgow Association. He then became club secretary at Inverness...
receiving a suspension.
Shortly afterwards, McCombie was transferred to arch-rivals Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
signing for them in February 1904. His final appearance for Sunderland was in a 6–0 victory over Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on 23 January 1904. In his 5 years with Sunderland, he made a total of 164 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals. His last goal came against his future employers, a penalty in a 1–1 draw at Roker Park on 1 January 1904.
Newcastle United
He is reported to have joined Newcastle United for a fee of £700. If correct this would have been a world record transfer feeTransfer (football)
In professional association football, a transfer is the action taken whenever a player under contract moves between professional clubs. It refers to the transferring of a player's registration from one professional association football club to another. In general, the players can only be...
, exceeding the fee of £520 paid by Sunderland in June 1904 for Alf Common
Alf Common
Alf Common was an English footballer who played at inside forward or centre forward. He is most famous for being the first player to be transferred for a fee of £1,000 on his transfer to Middlesbrough from Sunderland in 1905.-Club career:Common played for South Hylton and Jarrow in North East...
. He was to remain on the payroll at Newcastle until shortly before his death.
He made his Newcastle debut in a 4–1 victory over Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on 13 February 1904. In his first match back at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
for his new employers on 24 December 1904 he scored a first-minute own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
as Sunderland ran out 3–1 victors. In his first full season at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
he missed only three games as Newcastle claimed the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
title for the first time by a single point margin over Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He capped this with two further appearances for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
with a 3–1 victory over Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 6 March 1905 and a 1–0 defeat by England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
on 1 April. In the last match, played at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace, in the former parkland and also usurping part of the former grand prix circuit.It was...
, he was joined by Newcastle colleagues Andy Aitken
Andy Aitken (footballer born 1877)
Andy "Daddler" Aitken was one of the early game's most prominent players.After playing for local Ayrshire sides, he signed for Second Division Newcastle United in 1895, then in only their third football league season...
, Peter McWilliam
Peter McWilliam
Peter McWilliam was a Scottish footballer who played at left-half for Inverness Thistle, Newcastle United and Scotland. He went on to manage both Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough....
and James Howie
James Howie
James "Jimmy" Howie was a Scottish footballer who later became a manager.Born in Galston, Ayrshire, he joined Kilmarnock from local side Galston Athletic in 1898. He was in the side which won the 1899 Second Division title and the following season earned selection to the Scottish League...
.
A fortnight after his final Scotland appearance, he was part of the Newcastle United team which was beaten at the Crystal Palace ground 2–0 in the cup final
1905 FA Cup Final
The 1905 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa were victorious, winning 2–0, with Harry Hampton scoring both goals....
by Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. He was to return to Crystal Palace for the 1906 FA Cup Final
1906 FA Cup Final
The 1906 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Everton won 1–0, the goal scored by Alex "Sandy" Young.-Match details:-Road to the Final:-References:**-External links:* *...
, when he was again on the losing side as Newcastle went down 1–0 to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
Newcastle claimed the title for a second time in 1907 with McCombie making 26 appearances. In Newcastle's third championship season, 1908–09
1908-09 in English football
The 1908–09 season was the 38th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Tottenham Hotspur played their first ever season in the Football League, gaining promotion to the First Division in the process...
, McCombie only made one appearance. He remained as a player at St James' Park until 1910, with his final game being a 4–0 defeat at Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 27 April 1910.
In his six years at Newcastle, he made a total of 132 first team appearances, never scoring.
Later career
After hanging up his boots, he remained on Newcastle United's coaching staff, rising to become the first team trainer by the time he retired in 1950 and died two years later in 1952.Honours
SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
- Football League champions: 1901–021901-02 in English footballThe 1901–02 season was the 31st season of competitive football in England.-League changes:Doncaster Rovers and Burton United replaced Walsall and Burton Swifts in the Football League. Burton United were formed by a merger of Burton Swifts with former League side Burton Wanderers...
Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
- Football League champions: 1904–051904-05 in English footballThe 1904–05 season was the 34th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Stockport County were replaced by Doncaster Rovers in the Second Division....
and 1906–07 - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
finalists: 19051905 FA Cup FinalThe 1905 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa were victorious, winning 2–0, with Harry Hampton scoring both goals....
and 19061906 FA Cup FinalThe 1906 FA Cup Final was contested by Everton and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace. Everton won 1–0, the goal scored by Alex "Sandy" Young.-Match details:-Road to the Final:-References:**-External links:* *...