Gerry McCabe (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gerry McCabe is a Scottish
former football player and manager, and is currently the assistant manager of Dunfermline Athletic
.
side that rose through the divisions to the Scottish Premier Division. Towards the end of his playing career he started coaching Celtic
youth players.
at Kilmarnock
. He then went on to assist Williamson at his next two managerial positions, Hibernian
and Plymouth Argyle
. McCabe was in caretaker charge of Hibernian between Williamson's move from the Edinburgh club to Plymouth and the end of the 2003–04 season, when they rejoined Williamson.
in 2006, when he replaced Paul Martin
. McCabe promised a more attacking approach, differing from the defensive style that Martin had employed. He also had the difficult but widely expected task of gaining promotion after only season in the Scottish Third Division. McCabe signed former Kilmarnock
Scottish Cup winner David Bagan, and Stephen Dobbie
on loan from St. Johnstone. Dobbie scored 10 goals in 17 league games, which pushed Dumbarton into a high league position. However Dobbie's loan spell ended in December 2006 and any chances of a loan extension were dashed when he signed permanently for Scottish First Division
side Queen of the South
. After Dobbie's departure the goals dried up and Dumbarton just fell short of a promotion play-off place, finishing 5th. McCabe succeeded in leading the side to a Scottish Cup
3rd round tie against SPL
champions Celtic
, which Dumbarton lost 4-0. McCabe also led the side to a League Cup
trip to another SPL side, Inverness Caley Thistle
, eventually losing 3-1.
In the 2007 pre-season Dumbarton were considered one of the promotion favourites. However after a succession of players left the club, including popular goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay
, defender Chris Boyle
and winger Ryan Borris, McCabe found it hard to replace them. Lack of goals was evident in the league when new signings Brian McPhee
and David McFarlane
failed to hit the net on a regular basis. This led to Dumbarton sitting third bottom of the league. With only 3 wins out of 11 league games, McCabe was dismissed on November 2007 after only 18 months at Strathclyde Homes Stadium
.
.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
former football player and manager, and is currently the assistant manager of Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
.
Playing career
McCabe had a lengthy playing career that lasted almost two decades. He made over 200 league appearances for a 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...
side that rose through the divisions to the Scottish Premier Division. Towards the end of his playing career he started coaching Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
youth players.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, McCabe worked as assistant to Bobby WilliamsonBobby Williamson
Robert "Bobby" Williamson is a former association footballer who is currently manager of the Uganda national football team. He previously managed Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Championship.-Playing career:As a player, Williamson...
at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. He then went on to assist Williamson at his next two managerial positions, 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 Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. McCabe was in caretaker charge of Hibernian between Williamson's move from the Edinburgh club to Plymouth and the end of the 2003–04 season, when they rejoined Williamson.
Dumbarton
McCabe became manager of DumbartonDumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
in 2006, when he replaced Paul Martin
Paul Martin (Scottish footballer)
Paul Martin is a Scottish football former player and coach. He is currently the manager of Albion Rovers, who play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
. McCabe promised a more attacking approach, differing from the defensive style that Martin had employed. He also had the difficult but widely expected task of gaining promotion after only season in the Scottish Third Division. McCabe signed former Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
Scottish Cup winner David Bagan, and Stephen Dobbie
Stephen Dobbie
Stephen Dobbie is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Swansea City.Dobbie began his career with Rangers in 2002, but did not play in a first team match. He had more opportunities at Hibernian, whom he joined in 2003 and then St. Johnstone whom he joined, initially on loan, in 2005....
on loan from St. Johnstone. Dobbie scored 10 goals in 17 league games, which pushed Dumbarton into a high league position. However Dobbie's loan spell ended in December 2006 and any chances of a loan extension were dashed when he signed permanently for 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....
side 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...
. After Dobbie's departure the goals dried up and Dumbarton just fell short of a promotion play-off place, finishing 5th. McCabe succeeded in leading the side to a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
3rd round tie against SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
champions Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, which Dumbarton lost 4-0. McCabe also led the side to a League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
trip to another SPL side, Inverness Caley Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
, eventually losing 3-1.
In the 2007 pre-season Dumbarton were considered one of the promotion favourites. However after a succession of players left the club, including popular goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay
Stephen Grindlay
Stephen Grindlay is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Dumbarton.-Early career:...
, defender Chris Boyle
Chris Boyle
Chris Boyle is an association football Referee who currently referees in the Australian A-League.-History:...
and winger Ryan Borris, McCabe found it hard to replace them. Lack of goals was evident in the league when new signings Brian McPhee
Brian McPhee
Brian McPhee is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker. He signed for Scottish Junior Cup Winners Bathgate Thistle after his release from Dumbarton on 29 April 2008....
and David McFarlane
David McFarlane
David McFarlane is a Scottish football player currently playing for Dumbarton FC, an association football club who currently play in the Scottish Third Division. His current position is striker....
failed to hit the net on a regular basis. This led to Dumbarton sitting third bottom of the league. With only 3 wins out of 11 league games, McCabe was dismissed on November 2007 after only 18 months at Strathclyde Homes Stadium
Strathclyde Homes Stadium
Strathclyde Homes Stadium is a stadium in Dumbarton, Scotland situated right below the famous Dumbarton Rock. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Dumbarton F.C. The stadium has a capacity of just over 2000, and was built in 2000 after the move away from...
.
Dunfermline
In January 2008, McCabe was appointed assistant to player-manager Jim McIntyre at Dunfermline AthleticDunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
.
External links
- Gerry McCabe, Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database