Bernard McNally
Encyclopedia
Bernard Anthony McNally (born 17 February 1963 in Shrewsbury
, England
) is a former Northern Ireland
international footballer who played in midfield.
During his club career he played for Shrewsbury Town
(1980–89), West Bromwich Albion
(1989–95), Hednesford Town
(1996–98), and Telford United
. He earned 5 caps for the Northern Ireland national football team
from 1986 to 1988, and was included in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
team.
area of Shrewsbury, and was a pupil at the Harlescott Grange school. He was signed as a professional by his hometown club Shrewsbury Town
, on the eve of the 1981/82 season, and immediately established himself as a first team member in arguably one of the best ever Shrewsbury Town sides. McNally was one of the key Shrewsbury players during their spell in the old Second Division
, as Shrewsbury established themselves as Second Division regulars during the mid-80s, and made a total of 284 Football League appearances for Shrewsbury, though it was once said he should be sold and someone else just as good should be bought.
In July 1989, McNally was sold for £385,000 (following a tribunal) to West Bromwich Albion
, following talks with both Stoke City and Sunderland. McNally had a successful stint at West Brom, in only his first year at the club he was voted Supporter's Player of the season in 1898/90. Arguably the highlight of his time at The Hawthorns
being a member of the squad that won the 1993 Second Division playoffs.
He was unable to command a regular first team place later in his West Brom career, and so made a switch to another West Midlands team, Hednesford Town
, in 1996. Hednesford were enjoying a successful spell in the Nationwide Conference, and the experienced Football League veteran was a hit with the Hednesford fans. Arguably the highlight of McNally's Hednesford career was the team's 1996/97 FA Cup
run, in which the team reached the fourth round, facing Middlesbrough F.C.
at the Riverside Stadium
. After taking an early lead in front of a 28,000 crowd, Hednesford were unlucky to lose 3-2, with McNally playing an important role.
After playing for Hednesford, he played briefly at Telford United
before retiring as a player
, went bust following the demise of chairman Andy Shaw's business empire.
Despite being unable to save the club, Telford supporters founded a new club, AFC Telford United, playing in the Northern Premier League
's First Division.
McNally was appointed as the club's first manager, and quickly built up a squad. Despite some early indifferent form, McNally's side soon rose up the table, eventually finishing third in the league and qualifying for the play-offs. Telford were to beat Kendal Town 2-1 in the playoff final, in front of a league record crowd of 4.215 at the New Bucks Head
.
Telford struggled in their opening season in the Northern Premier League. With the club second from bottom mid-way through the season, and following considerable pressure from fans, McNally was sacked, later to be replaced by Willenhall's Rob Smith.
Despite the setback, McNally stated in a later radio interview for BBC Radio Shropshire that whilst disappointed, he had no hard feelings towards the club, and was proud to have managed them.
McNally is currently involved in football coaching, and is still remembered with great affection by fans at Shrewsbury Town
. To that effect he was invited to be part of the Shrewsbury Town 'Legends' who paraded the pitch at Gay Meadow
prior to the ground's final League fixture against Grimsby Town
on 5 May 2007.
McNally was appointed by Indian club, Pune FC
as head coach in February 2008, a post he held until May 2008.
In September 2009 he was appointed as Caretaker Manager of Southern League Premier Division side Hednesford Town
. The club had struggled in the first half of the their season under former first team manager Simon Lines, therefore McNnally had to work quickly to get the club back on track. Success saw the club finish 4th earning a playofs position. Hednesford Town lost in the play-off semi-finals to Chippenham Town. He was manager until September 2010.
In June 2011 he was appointed as manager by Welsh Premier League club Newtown
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a former Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international footballer who played in midfield.
During his club career he played for Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
(1980–89), West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
(1989–95), Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
(1996–98), and Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
. He earned 5 caps for the Northern Ireland national football team
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
from 1986 to 1988, and was included in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
team.
Playing career
McNally grew up in the HarlescottHarlescott
Harlescott is a suburb of the town of Shrewsbury, county town of Shropshire. It is one of the most industrial parts of the town, and is the 5th most deprived ward in non-metropolitan Shropshire Neighbouring suburbs include Sundorne to the east and Ditherington to the south...
area of Shrewsbury, and was a pupil at the Harlescott Grange school. He was signed as a professional by his hometown club Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, on the eve of the 1981/82 season, and immediately established himself as a first team member in arguably one of the best ever Shrewsbury Town sides. McNally was one of the key Shrewsbury players during their spell in the old Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, as Shrewsbury established themselves as Second Division regulars during the mid-80s, and made a total of 284 Football League appearances for Shrewsbury, though it was once said he should be sold and someone else just as good should be bought.
In July 1989, McNally was sold for £385,000 (following a tribunal) to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, following talks with both Stoke City and Sunderland. McNally had a successful stint at West Brom, in only his first year at the club he was voted Supporter's Player of the season in 1898/90. Arguably the highlight of his time at The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
being a member of the squad that won the 1993 Second Division playoffs.
He was unable to command a regular first team place later in his West Brom career, and so made a switch to another West Midlands team, Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
, in 1996. Hednesford were enjoying a successful spell in the Nationwide Conference, and the experienced Football League veteran was a hit with the Hednesford fans. Arguably the highlight of McNally's Hednesford career was the team's 1996/97 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...
run, in which the team reached the fourth round, facing Middlesbrough F.C.
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...
at the Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
. After taking an early lead in front of a 28,000 crowd, Hednesford were unlucky to lose 3-2, with McNally playing an important role.
After playing for Hednesford, he played briefly at Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
before retiring as a player
Managerial career
In 2004, one of McNally's former clubs Telford UnitedTelford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
, went bust following the demise of chairman Andy Shaw's business empire.
Despite being unable to save the club, Telford supporters founded a new club, AFC Telford United, playing in the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
's First Division.
McNally was appointed as the club's first manager, and quickly built up a squad. Despite some early indifferent form, McNally's side soon rose up the table, eventually finishing third in the league and qualifying for the play-offs. Telford were to beat Kendal Town 2-1 in the playoff final, in front of a league record crowd of 4.215 at the New Bucks Head
New Bucks Head
New Bucks Head is a stadium in Telford, England and the home of Conference National football club A.F.C. Telford United. It was originally built for Telford United to play at before they went bankrupt. The stadium is on the same site as the original Bucks Head, which had been home to Telford...
.
Telford struggled in their opening season in the Northern Premier League. With the club second from bottom mid-way through the season, and following considerable pressure from fans, McNally was sacked, later to be replaced by Willenhall's Rob Smith.
Despite the setback, McNally stated in a later radio interview for BBC Radio Shropshire that whilst disappointed, he had no hard feelings towards the club, and was proud to have managed them.
McNally is currently involved in football coaching, and is still remembered with great affection by fans at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. To that effect he was invited to be part of the Shrewsbury Town 'Legends' who paraded the pitch at Gay Meadow
Gay Meadow
The Gay Meadow is the former home ground of Shrewsbury Town FC, a football club in England. It was situated just outside the town centre of Shrewsbury, on the banks of the River Severn and it opened in August 1910....
prior to the ground's final League fixture against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on 5 May 2007.
McNally was appointed by Indian club, Pune FC
Pune FC
Pune Football Club is an Indian football club based in Pune. The club was established in 2007, and gained promotion to the I-League in the 2009-10 season. Pune F.C. one of the most professional football club in India is also known as one of the first football club to not follow the Institutional...
as head coach in February 2008, a post he held until May 2008.
In September 2009 he was appointed as Caretaker Manager of Southern League Premier Division side Hednesford Town
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
. The club had struggled in the first half of the their season under former first team manager Simon Lines, therefore McNnally had to work quickly to get the club back on track. Success saw the club finish 4th earning a playofs position. Hednesford Town lost in the play-off semi-finals to Chippenham Town. He was manager until September 2010.
In June 2011 he was appointed as manager by Welsh Premier League club Newtown