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
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birmingham 1911–12 Second Division 700070
1912–13 Second Division 19000190
1913–14 Second Division 16020180
1914–15 Second Division 400040
1919–20 Second Division 24020260
1920–21 Second Division 40210432
1921–22 First Division 35100351
1922–23 First Division 38110391
1923–24 First Division 900090
Total 1924601984
Aston Villa 1923–24 First Division 500050
1924–25 First Division 200020
Total 700070
Stoke 1924–25 Second Division 24010250
1925–26 Second Division 402060
Total 28030310
Coventry City 1926–27 Third Division South 35610366
1927–28 Third Division South 14110151
Total 49720517
Walsall 1927–28 Third Division South 700070
Career Total 2871111029811
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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)


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