Jamie McCunnie
Encyclopedia
Jamie McCunnie is a Scottish
footballer, who is currently playing with Icelandic club .Grindavik
at youth level, signing for them professionally in 1999. Normally featuring as a right back at this stage of his career, he was given his first team debut for United away to Hibernian
in December 2000. Despite McCunnie being aged only 17 at this time, manager Alex Smith was sufficiently impressed by his performances to keep him as a regular first team player for the rest of that season
, helping the club climb successfully out of relegation and reach a Scottish Cup
semi-final as well. McCunnie's successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract with the Tannadice
club, while also making his debut for Scotland under-21s
against Poland
.
At this time McCunnie was rated as one of the best young players in Scottish football
. However, despite featuring regularly for Dundee United over the next two seasons and becoming captain of Scotland under-21s, he began to lose consistency from his form. Ian McCall
had become manager of Dundee United early in 2003, and seemingly unimpressed by the player's attitude, soon made it known to McCunnie that he was willing to dispense with his services. The somewhat surprised player found himself offloaded to First Division
side Ross County
, where his former mentor Alex Smith was now manager, in June 2003. McCunnie spent two seasons playing for the Dingwall
club, during which time he was converted from right back to a defensive midfield role. His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005 and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football, with a move to English football
a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City
following a successful trial, but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham
was also unproductive. Instead, McCunnie was able to secure himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for Dunfermline Athletic
in August 2005. He has established himself as a regular first team player despite an injury absence early in his Dunfermline career, resulting from an assault outside a Dundee
nightclub.
McCunnie joined Hartlepool United
from on 15 June 2007 on a free transfer, preferring the move to a contract extension, which he was widely expected to sign. On 6 May 2009 he was released by Hartlepool after being deemed surplus to requirements. He signed for East Fife
for 2009/10 but was released once the season had finished. He now plays in Pepsí Deildin in Iceland
with Haukar
.
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...
footballer, who is currently playing with Icelandic club .Grindavik
Grindavík
Grindavík is a fishing town at the peninsula of Reykjanes at the south-western coast of Iceland.It is one of the few cities with a harbour at this coast. Most of the 2,800 inhabitants work in the fishing industry...
Career
McCunnie began his senior career with Dundee UnitedDundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
at youth level, signing for them professionally in 1999. Normally featuring as a right back at this stage of his career, he was given his first team debut for United away to 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...
in December 2000. Despite McCunnie being aged only 17 at this time, manager Alex Smith was sufficiently impressed by his performances to keep him as a regular first team player for the rest of that season
2000-01 in Scottish football
The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock...
, helping the club climb successfully out of relegation and reach 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...
semi-final as well. McCunnie's successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract with the Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
club, while also making his debut for Scotland under-21s
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....
against Poland
Poland national under-21 football team
The Poland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Poland and is controlled by the Polish Football Association....
.
At this time McCunnie was rated as one of the best young players in Scottish football
Football in Scotland
Association football is the national sport in Scotland and highly popular throughout the country. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite...
. However, despite featuring regularly for Dundee United over the next two seasons and becoming captain of Scotland under-21s, he began to lose consistency from his form. Ian McCall
Ian McCall
Ian Holland McCall is a Scottish former footballer and is currently without a job having resigned as the manager of First Division side Partick Thistle.-Playing career:...
had become manager of Dundee United early in 2003, and seemingly unimpressed by the player's attitude, soon made it known to McCunnie that he was willing to dispense with his services. The somewhat surprised player found himself offloaded to 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 Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
, where his former mentor Alex Smith was now manager, in June 2003. McCunnie spent two seasons playing for the Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
club, during which time he was converted from right back to a defensive midfield role. His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005 and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football, with a move to English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
following a successful trial, but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
was also unproductive. Instead, McCunnie was able to secure himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for 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....
in August 2005. He has established himself as a regular first team player despite an injury absence early in his Dunfermline career, resulting from an assault outside a Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
nightclub.
McCunnie joined Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
from on 15 June 2007 on a free transfer, preferring the move to a contract extension, which he was widely expected to sign. On 6 May 2009 he was released by Hartlepool after being deemed surplus to requirements. He signed for East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
for 2009/10 but was released once the season had finished. He now plays in Pepsí Deildin in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
with Haukar
Haukar
Haukar is an Icelandic athletic club from Hafnarfjörður with divisions in Football, Team Handball, Basketball, Karate,Masturbation, Skiing & Chess...
.