Tam McManus
Encyclopedia
Thomas Kelly "Tam" McManus (born 28 February 1981) is a Scottish footballer, who is currently playing for First Division
club Ayr United
. McManus started his career with Hibernian
, making over 100 league appearances for the Edinburgh
club. During his time there, McManus represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
and the Scotland Future team
. After leaving Hibs in January 2005, McManus has had a nomadic career, playing for six different clubs in three countries.
, making his debut against Stranraer
in 1999. He made his first start in an Edinburgh derby
against Heart of Midlothian
a year later. He had earlier gained first-team experience with loan spells at East Fife
and then Airdrieonians
. McManus went on to become a first-team regular for Hibs, enjoying his best season in 2002–03
, when he scored 11 goals finishing top goalscorer at the club.
In August 2004, new Hibs manager Tony Mowbray
decided McManus would not feature in Hibs first team plans and he was loaned to Boston United
. McManus failed to settle in Lincolnshire
, and returned north to sign for Dundee
in January 2005. The Dark Blues were struggling in the league, and despite Calum McDonald's goal in a relegation-decider against Livingston
, Dundee were demoted to the Scottish First Division
. After the game McManus was photographed lying on the pitch in floods of tears. Financial difficulties at Dundee, resultant from relegation and an earlier spell in administration required them to remove the highest-earners from their wage bill and along with Lee Wilkie
, McManus negotiated a release settlement in mid-2006.
McManus signed for Falkirk in August 2006, but after playing a largely peripheral role in the first half of the 2006–07
season, he was released by the Bairns. Four weeks later, McManus signed a short term contract with Dunfermline for the remainder of the current season. He scored two goals in six games. In June, he signed a new two-year deal at East End Park
despite interest from at least three other SPL clubs. He appeared as a substitute in the UEFA Cup
against BK Häcken
of Sweden
on 30 August 2007 and scored the winning goal on 6 October 2007 against .
In March 2008, McManus was approached by MLS
side Colorado Rapids
and offered a trial while the club were playing a number of friendlies in England. McManus played 45 minutes against Ipswich Town
in a pre-season game for the American
side and was widely expected to sign for the side. After over a week of extensive medicals, McManus eventually signed for the MLS outfit on 28 March 2008. McManus made his Colorado Rapids
debut on 12 April 2008, coming on as a half-time substitute in the game against New England Revolution
. He scored his first Rapids goal in a 2–1 loss to Chicago Fire on 26 April 2008. McManus won the Week 9 Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honour for his 40 yard strike against Chivas USA
on 24 May 2008. He was released by the club after refusing to accept a cut in wages.
McManus signed for League of Ireland
club on 26 March 2009. McManus was signed for a second time by Stephen Kenny, who was previously his manager at . McManus scored his first competitive goal for Derry City on 16 July 2009, in their Europa League Second Qualifying Round first leg match away to Latvian side Skonto FC
in a 1–1 draw. He left Derry City and returned to Scotland as a free agent due to an illegal contract scandal whereby Derry City were found to be paying salaries more than the 65% of turnover stipulated by the League rules.
McManus trained with Ayr United
during December 2009. He then went on trial with Grimsby Town
for a week, but left after the trial period ended to go back to Scotland
. McManus subsequently signed for Ayr United on a deal that tied him to the club until the end of the 2009–10 season. McManus scored on his debut in a 2–1 defeat against Dundee in the 5th round of the Scottish Cup
, but left the club at the end of the season.
McManus signed a short term contract with Falkirk
, one of his former clubs, on 2 September 2010. He scored two goals on his second debut for Falkirk
, in a 3–1 win against Queen of the South
. Despite hitting 7 goals in 11 league starts, McManus was unable to agree new terms and left the club.
McManus signed for Ayr United on a short-term contract in November 2011.
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....
club Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
. McManus started his career with 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...
, making over 100 league appearances for the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
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...
club. During his time there, McManus represented the Scotland national under-21 football team
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
and the Scotland Future team
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
. After leaving Hibs in January 2005, McManus has had a nomadic career, playing for six different clubs in three countries.
Career
McManus started his career with HibernianHibernian 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...
, making his debut against Stranraer
Stranraer F.C.
Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:...
in 1999. He made his first start in an Edinburgh derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
against Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
a year later. He had earlier gained first-team experience with loan spells at East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
and then 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....
. McManus went on to become a first-team regular for Hibs, enjoying his best season in 2002–03
2002-03 in Scottish football
The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and...
, when he scored 11 goals finishing top goalscorer at the club.
In August 2004, new Hibs manager Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray
Anthony Mark "Tony" Mowbray is an English former professional football player, who is currently the manager of Middlesbrough...
decided McManus would not feature in Hibs first team plans and he was loaned to Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
. McManus failed to settle in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, and returned north to sign for 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 January 2005. The Dark Blues were struggling in the league, and despite Calum McDonald's goal in a relegation-decider against Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
, Dundee were demoted to the Scottish 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....
. After the game McManus was photographed lying on the pitch in floods of tears. Financial difficulties at Dundee, resultant from relegation and an earlier spell in administration required them to remove the highest-earners from their wage bill and along with Lee Wilkie
Lee Wilkie
Lee Wilkie is a former Scotland international footballer who played as a central defender. Wilkie spent the majority of his career in Dundee, playing for both Dundee and Dundee United, and won 11 international caps between 2002 and 2003...
, McManus negotiated a release settlement in mid-2006.
McManus signed for Falkirk in August 2006, but after playing a largely peripheral role in the first half of the 2006–07
2006-07 in Scottish football
The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
season, he was released by the Bairns. Four weeks later, McManus signed a short term contract with Dunfermline for the remainder of the current season. He scored two goals in six games. In June, he signed a new two-year deal at East End Park
East End Park
East End Park is a football stadium situated in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland with a seating capacity of 11,380.The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League side, Dunfermline Athletic F.C. It currently comprises four stands: East Stand, Main Stand, SGM Stand and the Norrie...
despite interest from at least three other SPL clubs. He appeared as a substitute in the 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...
against BK Häcken
BK Häcken
BK Häcken is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. The club, formed on 2 August 1940, is currently playing in the Swedish premier division, Allsvenskan after being promoted in 2008.- The beginning :...
of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
on 30 August 2007 and scored the winning goal on 6 October 2007 against .
In March 2008, McManus was approached by MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
side Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
and offered a trial while the club were playing a number of friendlies in England. McManus played 45 minutes against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in a pre-season game for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
side and was widely expected to sign for the side. After over a week of extensive medicals, McManus eventually signed for the MLS outfit on 28 March 2008. McManus made his Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
debut on 12 April 2008, coming on as a half-time substitute in the game against New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
. He scored his first Rapids goal in a 2–1 loss to Chicago Fire on 26 April 2008. McManus won the Week 9 Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honour for his 40 yard strike against Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....
on 24 May 2008. He was released by the club after refusing to accept a cut in wages.
McManus signed for League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
club on 26 March 2009. McManus was signed for a second time by Stephen Kenny, who was previously his manager at . McManus scored his first competitive goal for Derry City on 16 July 2009, in their Europa League Second Qualifying Round first leg match away to Latvian side Skonto FC
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
in a 1–1 draw. He left Derry City and returned to Scotland as a free agent due to an illegal contract scandal whereby Derry City were found to be paying salaries more than the 65% of turnover stipulated by the League rules.
McManus trained with Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
during December 2009. He then went on trial with 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...
for a week, but left after the trial period ended to go back to Scotland
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...
. McManus subsequently signed for Ayr United on a deal that tied him to the club until the end of the 2009–10 season. McManus scored on his debut in a 2–1 defeat against Dundee in the 5th round of the Scottish Cup
2009–10 Scottish Cup
The 2009–10 Scottish Cup is the 125th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The competition is sponsored by the Scottish Government and for sponsorship reasons is known as the Active Nation Scottish Cup.-Calendar:...
, but left the club at the end of the season.
McManus signed a short term contract with Falkirk
Falkirk 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...
, one of his former clubs, on 2 September 2010. He scored two goals on his second debut for Falkirk
Falkirk 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...
, in a 3–1 win against Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
. Despite hitting 7 goals in 11 league starts, McManus was unable to agree new terms and left the club.
McManus signed for Ayr United on a short-term contract in November 2011.