Frank McAvennie
Encyclopedia
Francis "Frank" McAvennie (born 22 November 1959 in Glasgow
) is a former Scottish
football
striker
best known as a player with West Ham United and Celtic, having had two spells with both of these clubs.
and attended St. Ambrose Primary and St. Augustine's Secondary.
Before turning professional, he had joined the Territorial Army and later had trials with the British Army
but was not accepted for a role with them due to his inability to hit the target during shooting practices.
signed him for West Ham United
in June 1985 for £340,000and he formed a formidable partnership with young English striker Tony Cottee
. In his first season, he helped West Ham
to their highest ever final position in English football when they came third. He scored 26 goals, one fewer than the division's top goalscorer Gary Lineker
, in the English Football League. That West Ham team became known as The Boys of 86. They came just four points off winning what would had been the first (and to date the only) top division title of their history.
Unfortunately, McAvennie and his team-mates were denied UEFA Cup
action for the following season due to the ban on English clubs in European competitions, which had started a year earlier due to the Heysel disaster.
However, they were less successful the following season, finishing 15th, as McAvennie scored just seven goals from 36 games.
, failing to score, before he moved to Celtic
for £750,000 on 2 October 1987. He helped them win the Scottish Premier League
and Scottish Cup
double. The Cup Final was particularly memorable for McAvennie as he scored two late goals to beat Dundee United
2–1.
He also recaptured his goalscoring form in the league while at Parkhead
, managing 15 goals in 1987–88
and a further 12 in 1988–89
.
's autobiography, McAvennie wanted to return to London and his model girlfriend Jenny Blyth. McAvennie claims in his autobiography that Celtic were refusing to pay him a signing-on fee. Just before his return to Boleyn Ground
, Celtic had accepted an offer from title chasing Arsenal
, whose manager George Graham
was looking for a proven goalscorer to partner Alan Smith. However, McAvennie turned down the chance to join Arsenal and happily accepted John Lyall's
offer shortly afterwards. While Arsenal cruised to the First Division
title, West Ham were relegated to the Second Division
and McAvennie failed to score a single goal in the remaining nine games of the season.
His second spell in London was not as successful as his previous one. Things got worse for McAvennie and West Ham when the striker suffered a broken leg on 19 August 1989, following a challenge by Stoke City's
Chris Kamara
, which put him out until March 1990 and ruled him out for many crucial games as the Hammers ultimately missed out on the playoffs, although they did reach the Football League Cup
semi-finals.
In the aftermath of his injury, McAvennie had threatened to sue Kamara, but this ultimately never happened.
McAvennie recovered for the 1990–91 season, as West Ham won promotion and reached the FA Cup
semi-finals. He played 34 league games and scored 10 goals, now partnering Trevor Morley
up front (his previous West Ham strike partner Tony Cottee
had departed to Everton
in August 1988).
In 1992, he signed off in style at West Ham, scoring a hat-trick
in his final match against Nottingham Forest
, but West Ham had already been relegated. His tally for that frustrating season was just six goals from 20 league games.
to sign for Aston Villa
, but played just three games in the new Premier League alongside Dalian Atkinson
before Villa signed Dean Saunders
and he lost his place in the team, lingering in the squad until January 1993 as Villa were challenging for the Premier League title (they finally finished runners-up to Manchester United
. McAvennie did not score for Villa.
, in January 1993. He scored nine goals in 19 league games that season
, though Celtic could only manage a third place finish as Rangers
secured their fifth successive title.
In 1993–94
, McAvennie managed just 11 league appearances, scoring once, as he lost his place in the team following Liam Brady's departure and the appointment of Lou Macari
as manager. In February 1994, Macari loaned McAvennie to English Premier League strugglers Swindon Town
, and he made just seven league appearances and failed to score as the Robins were relegated in bottom place at the end of a season in which they managed a mere five wins and conceded 100 goals. About the only bright spot of his spell at the County Ground
came in March when he helped the Robins hold league leaders (and eventual double
winners) Manchester United
to a 2–2 draw.
, newly promoted to the Scottish Premier Division for 1994–95, and scoring twice in three games before dropping down a division and returning to St Mirren on a free transfer on 14 October 1994.He played seven games for St Mirren that season, failing to score, before retiring as a player at the age of 35.
late 1985 for the World Cup qualifying play-off with Australia at Hampden Park
on 20 November. McAvennie scored on his debut in a 2–0 win.
He was subsequently called up to the Scotland national team
for the 1986 World Cup
, under interim national coach Alex Ferguson
following the death of Jock Stein
on 10 September 1985.
lifestyle involving drink, drugs and a good number of women.
On 12 January 2009, McAvennie received a four month suspended sentence for affray following an incident in July 2008 in which he headbutted a man in Douglas on the Isle of Man
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
) is a former Scottish
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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
best known as a player with West Ham United and Celtic, having had two spells with both of these clubs.
Early life
McAvennie grew up in MiltonMilton, Glasgow
Milton is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde.Building on Milton in Glasgow started in the late 1940s as part of a general post-war construction programme by Glasgow Corporation to deal with the housing shortage and slum clearances.The housing scheme...
and attended St. Ambrose Primary and St. Augustine's Secondary.
Early career
McAvennie started his playing career in Scottish Junior League football. He did not move into professional football until he joined St Mirren in 1980, at the age of 20. He would make 135 league appearances for them over the next five years, scoring 48 goals.Before turning professional, he had joined the Territorial Army and later had trials with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
but was not accepted for a role with them due to his inability to hit the target during shooting practices.
West Ham United
His strong form in Scotland attracted attention from south of the border, and John LyallJohn Lyall
John Angus Lyall was an English footballer and manager of Scottish descent. His mother, Catherine, was from the Isle of Lewis, his father, James, was from Kirriemuir. He was born in Ilford, Essex.- Youth team career :...
signed him for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in June 1985 for £340,000and he formed a formidable partnership with young English striker Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee
Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
. In his first season, he helped West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
to their highest ever final position in English football when they came third. He scored 26 goals, one fewer than the division's top goalscorer Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker
Gary Winston Lineker, OBE , is a former English footballer, who played as a striker. He is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, Al Jazeera Sports and Eredivisie Live...
, in the English Football League. That West Ham team became known as The Boys of 86. They came just four points off winning what would had been the first (and to date the only) top division title of their history.
Unfortunately, McAvennie and his team-mates were denied UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
action for the following season due to the ban on English clubs in European competitions, which had started a year earlier due to the Heysel disaster.
However, they were less successful the following season, finishing 15th, as McAvennie scored just seven goals from 36 games.
Celtic
He played eight games for the Hammers in 1987–881987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
, failing to score, before he moved to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
for £750,000 on 2 October 1987. He helped them win the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
double. The Cup Final was particularly memorable for McAvennie as he scored two late goals to beat Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
2–1.
He also recaptured his goalscoring form in the league while at Parkhead
Parkhead
Parkhead is a district in the East End of Glasgow. Its name comes from a small weaving hamlet at the meeting place of the Great Eastern Road and Westmuir Street. Duke Street and Springfield Road also meet there, to form a turreted Edwardian five-way junction at Parkhead Cross...
, managing 15 goals in 1987–88
1987-88 in Scottish football
The 1987–88 season was the 91st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Billy McNeill's second spell back in charge of Celtic began in style as they finished the season by winning the double of the league title and Scottish Cup...
and a further 12 in 1988–89
1988-89 in Scottish football
The 1988–89 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Rangers regained their league title and retained the League Cup, but defeat by Celtic in the Scottish Cup final ended their hopes of a domestic treble....
.
Back to West Ham
McAvennie returned to West Ham United in March 1989 in a £1.2million deal, making him their record signing. According to then Celtic manager Billy McNeillBilly McNeill
William "Billy" McNeill MBE is a former Scottish footballer and manager. He is best known for captaining Celtic to the European Cup triumph in 1967 and he later went on to manage the club. He is now the official Club Ambassador at Celtic....
's autobiography, McAvennie wanted to return to London and his model girlfriend Jenny Blyth. McAvennie claims in his autobiography that Celtic were refusing to pay him a signing-on fee. Just before his return to Boleyn Ground
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
, Celtic had accepted an offer from title chasing Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, whose manager George Graham
George Graham (footballer)
George Graham is a Scottish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his success at Arsenal, as a player in the 1970s and then as manager from 1986 until 1995.-Early life:...
was looking for a proven goalscorer to partner Alan Smith. However, McAvennie turned down the chance to join Arsenal and happily accepted John Lyall's
John Lyall
John Angus Lyall was an English footballer and manager of Scottish descent. His mother, Catherine, was from the Isle of Lewis, his father, James, was from Kirriemuir. He was born in Ilford, Essex.- Youth team career :...
offer shortly afterwards. While Arsenal cruised to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title, West Ham were relegated to the 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...
and McAvennie failed to score a single goal in the remaining nine games of the season.
His second spell in London was not as successful as his previous one. Things got worse for McAvennie and West Ham when the striker suffered a broken leg on 19 August 1989, following a challenge by Stoke City's
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
Chris Kamara
Chris Kamara
Chris Kamara is a retired English footballer. He ended his playing career in 1995 and last managed a club in 1998. He is now a presenter and football analyst on Sky Sports.-Playing career:...
, which put him out until March 1990 and ruled him out for many crucial games as the Hammers ultimately missed out on the playoffs, although they did reach the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi-finals.
In the aftermath of his injury, McAvennie had threatened to sue Kamara, but this ultimately never happened.
McAvennie recovered for the 1990–91 season, as West Ham won promotion and reached 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...
semi-finals. He played 34 league games and scored 10 goals, now partnering Trevor Morley
Trevor Morley
Trevor Morley is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.-Playing career:Morley played for Northampton Town, having previously seen non-league football with Corby Town and Nuneaton Borough...
up front (his previous West Ham strike partner Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee
Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
had departed 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...
in August 1988).
In 1992, he signed off in style at West Ham, scoring a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in his final match against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, but West Ham had already been relegated. His tally for that frustrating season was just six goals from 20 league games.
Aston Villa
McAvennie then accepted an offer from Ron AtkinsonRon Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
to sign for 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...
, but played just three games in the new Premier League alongside Dalian Atkinson
Dalian Atkinson
Dalian Robert Atkinson is an English former footballer who played as a striker in the Football League and Premier League for Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Manchester City, in La Liga for Real Sociedad, in Ligue 1 for Metz, in the Turkish Super League for Fenerbahçe, in Saudi...
before Villa signed Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders
Dean Nicholas Saunders is a former Wales international footballer who played as a striker in a professional career which lasted from 1982 until 2001. He is the manager of Doncaster Rovers....
and he lost his place in the team, lingering in the squad until January 1993 as Villa were challenging for the Premier League title (they finally finished runners-up to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. McAvennie did not score for Villa.
Back to Celtic
McAvennie returned to Celtic, managed by Liam BradyLiam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
, in January 1993. He scored nine goals in 19 league games that season
1992-93 in Scottish football
The 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, though Celtic could only manage a third place finish as Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
secured their fifth successive title.
In 1993–94
1993-94 in Scottish football
The 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:...
, McAvennie managed just 11 league appearances, scoring once, as he lost his place in the team following Liam Brady's departure and the appointment of Lou Macari
Lou Macari
Luigi "Lou" Macari is a Scottish former footballer and football manager of Italian descent.-Playing career:...
as manager. In February 1994, Macari loaned McAvennie to English Premier League strugglers Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, and he made just seven league appearances and failed to score as the Robins were relegated in bottom place at the end of a season in which they managed a mere five wins and conceded 100 goals. About the only bright spot of his spell at the County Ground
County Ground, Swindon
The County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
came in March when he helped the Robins hold league leaders (and eventual double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
winners) Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
to a 2–2 draw.
Falkirk and St Mirren
He also had a short spell at FalkirkFalkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, newly promoted to the Scottish Premier Division for 1994–95, and scoring twice in three games before dropping down a division and returning to St Mirren on a free transfer on 14 October 1994.He played seven games for St Mirren that season, failing to score, before retiring as a player at the age of 35.
International career
McAvennie was called into the Scotland national teamScotland 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...
late 1985 for the World Cup qualifying play-off with Australia at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
on 20 November. McAvennie scored on his debut in a 2–0 win.
He was subsequently called up to the Scotland national team
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...
for the 1986 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...
, under interim national coach Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
following the death of Jock Stein
Jock Stein
John 'Jock' Stein CBE was a Scottish association football player and manager. He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup, with Celtic in 1967...
on 10 September 1985.
Lifestyle
During his playing career he reputedly enjoyed a playboyPlayboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
lifestyle involving drink, drugs and a good number of women.
On 12 January 2009, McAvennie received a four month suspended sentence for affray following an incident in July 2008 in which he headbutted a man in Douglas on the Isle of Man