Johnny MacLeod
Encyclopedia
John Murdoch "Johnny" MacLeod (born 23 November 1938) is a Scottish
association football player.
, MacLeod started his career at his local club, Hibernian
, and played 85 times for the Edinburgh side between 1957 and 1961, where he made a name for himself as a talented right-winger
. He also earned four caps for Scotland
, all in 1961, the first being the famous 9–3 defeat at the hands of England
and the last being a 4–0 defeat by Czechoslovakia
in a 1962 World Cup qualifier.
In July 1961 MacLeod was signed by Arsenal
for £40,000 (then a record fee for a winger) and made his debut against Burnley
on 19 August 1961. He became a regular for the next three seasons, playing over thirty games in each. In total, he made 112 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals, despite manager Billy Wright's policy of usually employing only one winger on the pitch. Arsenal were not particularly successful at this time, usually finishing around mid-table, although they did make their European debut, in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
, in 1963–64
. MacLeod scored the opening goal in Arsenal's very first European match, a 7–1 thrashing of Stævnet
on 25 September 1963.
In September 1964, with the young George Armstrong
pushing for a place in the side, Arsenal found MacLeod surplus to requirements and sold him to Aston Villa
for £35,000. He spent four seasons at Villa Park
making 123 league appearances, before moving to Belgium
to play for KV Mechelen in 1968. In 1971 he returned to his native Scotland to see out his career at Raith Rovers
. He retired from playing in 1972.
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...
association football player.
Biography
Born in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, MacLeod started his career at his local club, Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, and played 85 times for the Edinburgh side between 1957 and 1961, where he made a name for himself as a talented right-winger
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
. He also earned four caps 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...
, all in 1961, the first being the famous 9–3 defeat at the hands of 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...
and the last being a 4–0 defeat by Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
in a 1962 World Cup qualifier.
In July 1961 MacLeod was signed by 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...
for £40,000 (then a record fee for a winger) and made his debut against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 19 August 1961. He became a regular for the next three seasons, playing over thirty games in each. In total, he made 112 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals, despite manager Billy Wright's policy of usually employing only one winger on the pitch. Arsenal were not particularly successful at this time, usually finishing around mid-table, although they did make their European debut, in the Inter-Cities Fairs 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...
, in 1963–64
1963-64 in English football
The 1963–1964 season was the 84th season of competitive football in England, from August 1963 to May 1964:-Overview:* Liverpool won the League Championship.* West Ham United won the FA Cup.* Leicester City won the League Cup.-Diary of the season:...
. MacLeod scored the opening goal in Arsenal's very first European match, a 7–1 thrashing of Stævnet
Stævnet
Stævnet or Copenhagen XI were a Danish association football representative team which had its prime before 1970, however it was active until 1994. Stævnet participated in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the precursor of today's UEFA Cup, in 1955-58, 1958-60, 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64.The Copenhagen...
on 25 September 1963.
In September 1964, with the young George Armstrong
George Armstrong (footballer)
George "Geordie" Armstrong was an English football player and coach, primarily associated with Arsenal.Born in Hebburn, County Durham, Armstrong had trained as an electrician while playing in youth football, and was rejected by both Newcastle United and Grimsby Town. Nevertheless, he succeeded in...
pushing for a place in the side, Arsenal found MacLeod surplus to requirements and sold him to 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...
for £35,000. He spent four seasons at Villa Park
Villa Park, England
Villa Park is an association football stadium in the district of Witton, Birmingham, England with a seating capacity of 42,786. It has been the home of Aston Villa Football Club since 1897. The team previously played at Aston Park from 1874 to 1876 and Perry Barr from 1876 to 1897...
making 123 league appearances, before moving to Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
to play for KV Mechelen in 1968. In 1971 he returned to his native Scotland to see out his career at Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
. He retired from playing in 1972.