John McCormack (Scottish footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Duffy McCormack is a Scottish
former footballer who played as a defender
and has managed
several Scottish clubs.
, making over 100 league appearances and scoring 24 times before joining St. Mirren
in 1980. While playing for St. Mirren, McCormack acquired the nickname "Cowboy", because he had the same name as a professional boxer with that nickname. He moved to Dundee
in 1984 before returning to the west of Scotland in 1986, spending single seasons with Airdrieonians
and Partick Thistle
before retiring in 1988.
Following his retirement from playing, McCormack was employed by Glasgow City Council for several years, working in sports centres in the city. He then returned to Dundee as a youth coach, before progressing to assistant manager and becoming manager
in 1997. Just months later, McCormack was sacked – despite Dundee leading the Scottish Football League First Division
– and went on to join Queen's Park
. In November 2002, McCormack was appointed manager of Greenock Morton
, guiding the club to the Scottish Third Division title in his first season. After losing a large lead at the top of the Second Division near the end of the 2003-04 season
, McCormack was sacked in September 2004. He also had an assistant manager stint at Stenhousemuir
but left within a month to become manager at Scottish Junior football side Bellshill
.
McCormack was appointed manager of Scottish Third Division
side Albion Rovers in May 2007, guiding the side to seventh place in his first season. In June 2008, McCormack left his position to take up an assistant role at newly-promoted Scottish Premier League
side Hamilton Academical
. McCormack left the club only two months later, but later won a claim for unfair dismissal against the club.
McCormack returned to the game in September 2009, becoming first team coach at Second Division
club Clyde
. McCormack was promoted to manager, after John Brown was sacked, on 30 November 2009. McCormack was given a contract until the end of the 2009–2010 season, but he was sacked on 5 April, with the club facing almost certain relegation to the Third Division
. Despite making a number of changes to the squad, McCormack had failed to arrest a decline in Clyde's fortunes and left the club in April 2010.
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...
former footballer who played as a defender
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....
and has managed
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
several Scottish clubs.
Career
McCormack began his playing career in 1976 with ClydebankClydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
, making over 100 league appearances and scoring 24 times before joining St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
in 1980. While playing for St. Mirren, McCormack acquired the nickname "Cowboy", because he had the same name as a professional boxer with that nickname. He moved to Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
in 1984 before returning to the west of Scotland in 1986, spending single seasons with Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
and Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
before retiring in 1988.
Following his retirement from playing, McCormack was employed by Glasgow City Council for several years, working in sports centres in the city. He then returned to Dundee as a youth coach, before progressing to assistant manager and becoming manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
in 1997. Just months later, McCormack was sacked – despite Dundee leading the Scottish Football League First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
– and went on to join Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
. In November 2002, McCormack was appointed manager of Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, guiding the club to the Scottish Third Division title in his first season. After losing a large lead at the top of the Second Division near the end of the 2003-04 season
2003-04 in Scottish football
The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA...
, McCormack was sacked in September 2004. He also had an assistant manager stint at Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
but left within a month to become manager at Scottish Junior football side Bellshill
Bellshill Athletic F.C.
Bellshill Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club, historically based in the town of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, though currently groundsharing with fellow Junior club Vale of Clyde in Glasgow...
.
McCormack was appointed manager of Scottish Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
side Albion Rovers in May 2007, guiding the side to seventh place in his first season. In June 2008, McCormack left his position to take up an assistant role at newly-promoted 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...
side Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
. McCormack left the club only two months later, but later won a claim for unfair dismissal against the club.
McCormack returned to the game in September 2009, becoming first team coach at Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
club 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...
. McCormack was promoted to manager, after John Brown was sacked, on 30 November 2009. McCormack was given a contract until the end of the 2009–2010 season, but he was sacked on 5 April, with the club facing almost certain relegation to the Third Division
Scottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
. Despite making a number of changes to the squad, McCormack had failed to arrest a decline in Clyde's fortunes and left the club in April 2010.
External links
- John McCormack, Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database