James McCrae (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James Clark Fulton McCrae (also spelt McRae, McRea, McCray and McCabe; 2 September 1894 – 3 September 1974) was a Scottish
football player and manager. His brother was Scottish international player David McCrae
.
, McCrae signed professional forms with Clyde
in 1912, but his playing career was interrupted
by the First World War
. During the War, McCrae joined the Grenadier Guards
, playing for their football team, as well as guesting for Clyde, Rangers
, and West Ham United
. McCrae joined West Ham United permanently in June 1919, playing in their first ever League game
. McCrae also played for Bury
, Wigan Borough
, New Brighton
, Manchester United
and Watford
, and he made a total of 187 appearances in the Football League
. McCrae later played in Scotland for Third Lanark
and his first club, Clyde, before retiring in 1928.
, and also managed İstanbulspor in Turkey and Fram
of Iceland.
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 player and manager. His brother was Scottish international player David McCrae
David McCrae
David McCrae was a Scottish footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a Striker. His brother was fellow player James McCrae....
.
Playing career
Born in Bridge of WeirBridge of Weir
Bridge of Weir is a village in within the Renfrewshire council area and wider historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, McCrae signed professional forms with Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
in 1912, but his playing career was interrupted
Association football during World War I
When World War I was declared in 1914, it had a negative effect on association football; in some countries competitions were suspended and players signed up to fight, resulting in the deaths of many players...
by the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. During the War, McCrae joined the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
, playing for their football team, as well as guesting for Clyde, 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...
, and 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...
. McCrae joined West Ham United permanently in June 1919, playing in their first ever League game
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...
. McCrae also played for 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...
, Wigan Borough
Wigan Borough F.C.
Wigan Borough Football Club was an English football club from the town of Wigan, Lancashire. It was a fourth attempt at establishing football in Wigan, their forerunners Wigan County, Wigan United and Wigan Town all having fallen into liquidation previously....
, New Brighton
New Brighton A.F.C.
-Revived club:New Brighton A.F.C. were reborn in 1993, and joined the Birkenhead and Wirral League, which they won in their first season. In 1995 the club switched to the South Wirral League. After upgrading their new ground, the club were admitted to the Second Division of the West Cheshire League...
, 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...
and Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, and he made a total of 187 appearances in 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...
. McCrae later played in Scotland for Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
and his first club, Clyde, before retiring in 1928.
Coaching career
McCrae coached Egypt at the 1934 FIFA World Cup1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
, and also managed İstanbulspor in Turkey and Fram
Knattspyrnufélagið Fram
Knattspyrnufélagið Fram is an Icelandic sports club, best known for its football team. In European competitions it is known as Fram Reykjavík. It was founded on 1 May 1908 in Reykjavík. Based at Safamýri, located in the Laugardalur district of Reykjavík City Center. They are currently playing in...
of Iceland.