Alec McClure

Alexander McClure (3 April 1892 – August 1973) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre half. He played for Birmingham both before and after the First World War, making 198 appearances in all competitions, and helped them win the championship of the Second Division in 1920–21. He also played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Stoke, Coventry City and Walsall.[1][3]

Alec McClure

Personal information
Full name	Alexander McClure[1]
Date of birth	(1892-04-03)3 April 1892
Place of birth	Workington, England
Date of death	August 1973 (1973-09) (aged 81)
Place of death	Birmingham, England
Height	5 ft 11 ^1⁄2 in (1.82 m)[2]
Playing position(s)	Centre half
Youth career
–	Grangetown Juniors
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1912–1923	Birmingham	192	(4)
1923–1924	Aston Villa	7	(0)
1924–1926	Stoke	28	(0)
1926–1928	Coventry City	49	(7)
1928	Walsall	11	(0)
Total		287	(11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Workington, Cumberland, McClure was a powerful player with good positional ability, who captained Birmingham's reserve team before establishing himself as club captain and linchpin of the first team's defence. He played for the Football League XI in 1921–22 against the Irish Football League. After leaving Birmingham he went on to play for four other Midlands teams, Aston Villa, Stoke, Coventry City and Walsall. On retiring from playing he worked for short periods as trainer at various clubs, including trainer of Birmingham's juniors, and in 1932 he was appointed assistant manager of the club under Leslie Knighton and later under George Liddell. After leaving football he worked for Rudge motorcycles and went on to run a successful haulage business in Small Heath, Birmingham.[1][3][4]

During the First World War McClure served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the Zeebrugge Raid. He died in Birmingham at the age of 81.[3][4] His nephew was footballer Joe McClure.[5]

Career statistics

Source:[6]

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Birmingham	1911–12	Second Division	7	0	0	0	7	0
	1912–13	Second Division	19	0	0	0	19	0
	1913–14	Second Division	16	0	2	0	18	0
	1914–15	Second Division	4	0	0	0	4	0
	1919–20	Second Division	24	0	2	0	26	0
	1920–21	Second Division	40	2	1	0	43	2
	1921–22	First Division	35	1	0	0	35	1
	1922–23	First Division	38	1	1	0	39	1
	1923–24	First Division	9	0	0	0	9	0
	Total		192	4	6	0	198	4
Aston Villa	1923–24	First Division	5	0	0	0	5	0
	1924–25	First Division	2	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		7	0	0	0	7	0
Stoke	1924–25	Second Division	24	0	1	0	25	0
	1925–26	Second Division	4	0	2	0	6	0
	Total		28	0	3	0	31	0
Coventry City	1926–27	Third Division South	35	6	1	0	36	6
	1927–28	Third Division South	14	1	1	0	15	1
	Total		49	7	2	0	51	7
Walsall	1927–28	Third Division South	7	0	0	0	7	0
Career Total			287	11	11	0	298	11

References

1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
2. Official Football Programme. Programme Syndicate for Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C. 23 December 1922. p. 12.
3. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 108. ISBN 1-85983-010-2.
4. Matthews, Tony (October 2000). The Encyclopedia of Birmingham City Football Club 1875–2000. Cradley Heath: Britespot. p. 145. ISBN 0-9539288-0-2.
5. "Nuneaton Town 1919-1937 Part 2" (PDF). Retrieved 10 October 2016.
6. Alec McClure at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)