Jimmy McMullan
Encyclopedia
Jimmy McMullan was a Scottish
football player and manager. McMullan won 16 Scotland
caps as a player at half-back and was part of the famous "Wembley Wizards
" side of 1928.
in 1895. He began his football career with junior side Denny Hibernian in 1911 before graduating to the Scottish League
with Third Lanark
the next year. Initially considered an inside left, by the time he joined Thirds Glasgow
rivals Partick Thistle
in 1913 he played predominantly as a left half. He stayed eight seasons with Thistle but missed out on participating in their Scottish Cup
winning side of 1921 through injury. In 1920 he won the first of his sixteen caps for Scotland
against Wales
in a 1-1 draw in the 1920 British Home Championship
. McMullan is considered to have been the greatest Scottish half-back of his day,. McMullan was an ever present in the 1921 British Home Championship
which was won by Scotland.
In the close season of 1921 McMullan became embroiled in controversy. Partick turned down a £5,000 offer from Newcastle United
for his signature and the player, determined to play in English football, signed for non-league Maidstone United as player-manager. He returned to the Glasgow club in the summer of 1923. McMullan helped Scotland to victory in the 1925 British Home Championship
and was part of the Scotland team which defeated
England
2-0 (Hughie Gallacher
scored both goals). In February 1926 he eventually earned his long-desired move to the Football League aged 30, when Manchester City
signed him for £4,700.
on 27 February 1926. Tommy Browell
scored the goal for City in that game. Despite containing a number of England
players such as Frank Roberts, Billy Austin
, Sam Cowan
and Tommy Johnson, City finished in twenty-first place in the First Division that season and were relegated into the second division. McMullan played in the 1926 FA Cup Final
defeat to Bolton Wanderers
. McMullan was part of the Scotland
which won the 1926 British Home Championship
appearing in the 1-0 victory against England
at Old Trafford
(Alex Jackson
scored the goal for Scotland) and in the 3-0 victory against Wales
at Ninian Park
(John Duncan
, Adam McLean
and William Clunas
were the scorers).
McMullan scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 3-4 defeat to Southampton
in the 1926-1927 football season. City came third in the second division and were unable to earn promotion. In the 1927 British Home Championship
McMullan featured twice for Scotland in a 3-0 victory against Wales
(Alex Jackson
scored twice and Hughie Gallacher
once) and a 2-1 defeat to England
at Hampden Park
(Dixie Dean
scored twice for England and Alan Morton
scored Scotland's goal). Despite this defeat, Scotland won the championship that season.
In the 1927-1928 football season McMullan helped City into first place in the second division, earning the team promotion. The team had been strengthened by the acquisition of both Eric Brook
and Fred Tilson
from Barnsley
. In the 1928 British Home Championship
McMullan captained Scotland as they defeated England
5-1 at Wembley Stadium
with a hat-trick from Alex Jackson
and a brace from Alex James
. As a result of the resounding victory, the Scotland team were dubbed the "Wembley Wizards". Despite this victory Wales
won the championship that season. McMullan captained Scotland to victory the following season in the 1929 British Home Championship
.
McMullan reached an FA Cup final with City again in 1933 but the team were defeated by Everton
3-0. While many of his team mates would be part of the City team which won the FA Cup the following year, in May 1933, after 242 League and Cup appearances for City, McMullan joined Oldham Athletic as a player-manager.
in 1934. Before his appointment the team was selected by a Committee. However, the move proved disastrous, resulting in Villa's first ever relegation in 1935-36 after 61 years in the top flight. He later managed Notts County
(1936–1937) and Sheffield Wednesday
(1937–1939). He died in November 1964
's best ever players. In 1977 the Manchester City Council named eleven streets in a new estate in Moss Side
after famous City players including McMullan, Frank Swift
, Fred Tilson
, Sam Cowan
, Horace Barnes
, Max Woosnam, Tommy Browell
, Eric Brook
, Sam Cookson, Billy Meredith
and Tommy Johnson.
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...
football player and manager. McMullan won 16 Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
caps as a player at half-back and was part of the famous "Wembley Wizards
Wembley Wizards
- Aftermath :When asked for his comment after the game, Alex James simply beamed a smile and said, “We could have had ten!”Back in Scotland the pubs did rather well and the newspapers were not slow in piling praise on the heads of those little no-hopers of the Scottish side...
" side of 1928.
Early life
McMullan was born in Denny, StirlingshireStirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
in 1895. He began his football career with junior side Denny Hibernian in 1911 before graduating to the Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
with Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
the next year. Initially considered an inside left, by the time he joined Thirds Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
rivals Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in 1913 he played predominantly as a left half. He stayed eight seasons with Thistle but missed out on participating in their 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...
winning side of 1921 through injury. In 1920 he won the first of his sixteen caps for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 1-1 draw in the 1920 British Home Championship
1920 British Home Championship
The 1920 British Home Championship was an international football tournament played during the 1919–20 season between the British Home Nations. Wales eventually took the trophy as the first of three victories they claimed during the 1920s, their last undisputed triumphs...
. McMullan is considered to have been the greatest Scottish half-back of his day,. McMullan was an ever present in the 1921 British Home Championship
1921 British Home Championship
The 1921 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1920–21 season. The second tournament played since the hiatus of the First World War, the 1921 competition was dominated by Scotland, who won the first of seven championships they...
which was won by Scotland.
In the close season of 1921 McMullan became embroiled in controversy. Partick turned down a £5,000 offer from Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
for his signature and the player, determined to play in English football, signed for non-league Maidstone United as player-manager. He returned to the Glasgow club in the summer of 1923. McMullan helped Scotland to victory in the 1925 British Home Championship
1925 British Home Championship
The 1925 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1924/25 season. It was one of six tournaments in seven years won by the strong Scottish team of the early 1920s, and was achieved with a whitewash of all three rivals, including England...
and was part of the Scotland team which defeated
England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
2-0 (Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher
Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scottish football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times....
scored both goals). In February 1926 he eventually earned his long-desired move to the Football League aged 30, when Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
signed him for £4,700.
Manchester City
McMullan made his debut for his new team in a 1-1 draw with LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
on 27 February 1926. Tommy Browell
Tommy Browell
Thomas "Tommy" Browell was an English footballer who played as a forward for Hull City, Everton, Manchester City and Blackpool. He is the seventh-highest Manchester City goalscorer of all time with 139 goals for the club.Browell was born in Walbottle, Northumberland, in 1892...
scored the goal for City in that game. Despite containing a number of England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
players such as Frank Roberts, Billy Austin
Billy Austin
Sidney William 'Sam' Austin was a footballer who played professionally for Norwich City, Manchester City and Chesterfield....
, Sam Cowan
Sam Cowan
Samuel Cowan was an English football player and manager. A relative latecomer to the sport, Cowan did not play football until he was 17 and was 22 by the time he turned professional...
and Tommy Johnson, City finished in twenty-first place in the First Division that season and were relegated into the second division. McMullan played in the 1926 FA Cup Final
1926 FA Cup Final
The 1926 FA Cup Final was a football match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City on 24 April 1926 at Wembley Stadium in London. The showpiece match of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup , it was the 55th final, and the fourth at Wembley.Each...
defeat to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. McMullan was part of the Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
which won the 1926 British Home Championship
1926 British Home Championship
The 1926 British Home Championship was an international football tournament played during the 1925–26 season between the British Home Nations...
appearing in the 1-0 victory against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
(Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
scored the goal for Scotland) and in the 3-0 victory against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
(John Duncan
John Duncan (footballer)
John Pearson Duncan is a Scottish footballer and football manager.-Playing career:He played as a centre-forward for Dundee, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County, Scunthorpe United and the Scottish Football League....
, Adam McLean
Adam McLean
Adam McLean is a well known author and authority on alchemical texts and symbolism. In 1978 he founded the Hermetic Journal which he published until 1992 during which time he also started publishing the , a series of thirty nine editions of key source texts of the hermetic tradition...
and William Clunas
William Clunas
William "Billy" Clunas was a Scottish footballer who played for Sunderland and the Scottish national team, primarily in the right half position. He was born in Johnstone, Scotland.-Club career:...
were the scorers).
McMullan scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 3-4 defeat to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the 1926-1927 football season. City came third in the second division and were unable to earn promotion. In the 1927 British Home Championship
1927 British Home Championship
The 1927 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1926–27 season. It was shared by England and Scotland after a series of high scoring draws in the opening matches left England, Wales and Ireland well behind with Scotland ahead,...
McMullan featured twice for Scotland in a 3-0 victory against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
(Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
scored twice and Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher
Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scottish football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times....
once) and a 2-1 defeat to England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
(Dixie Dean
Dixie Dean
William Ralph Dean , better known as Dixie Dean, was an English football player. Dean originally started his career with Birkenhead based Tranmere Rovers before moving on to Everton, the club he had supported as a child, where he became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in English football...
scored twice for England and Alan Morton
Alan Morton
Alan Lauder Morton was a Scottish international footballer and 'Wembley Wizard'. He was known for his stirring wing play as an outside-left and commitment to Rangers. He retired from active play in 1933.-Early life:...
scored Scotland's goal). Despite this defeat, Scotland won the championship that season.
In the 1927-1928 football season McMullan helped City into first place in the second division, earning the team promotion. The team had been strengthened by the acquisition of both Eric Brook
Eric Brook
Eric Fred Brook was an English footballer who played in the outside left position. He is the all time record goalscorer for Manchester City in all competitions and was an England international. Brook was a muscular player with 'one of the fiercest shots in pre-war football' and was a good penalty...
and Fred Tilson
Fred Tilson
Samuel Frederick "Fred" Tilson was an association football player for Manchester City and England. He was born in Swinton, South Yorkshire. He was part of the City team that won both the FA Cup and the League Championship in the 1930s...
from Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. In the 1928 British Home Championship
1928 British Home Championship
The 1928 British Home Championship was an international football tournament played during the 1927–28 season between the British Home Nations. The competition was won by Wales who did not lose a game and only dropped a single point during the tournament...
McMullan captained Scotland as they defeated England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
5-1 at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
with a hat-trick from Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
and a brace from Alex James
Alex James (footballer)
Alexander Wilson James was a Scottish footballer, and is most noted for his success with Arsenal, where he is regarded as one of the club's greatest players of all time. James played as an inside forward, as a supporting player for the main strikers...
. As a result of the resounding victory, the Scotland team were dubbed the "Wembley Wizards". Despite this victory Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
won the championship that season. McMullan captained Scotland to victory the following season in the 1929 British Home Championship
1929 British Home Championship
The 1929 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1928–29 season. The competition was won by Scotland, who won all three matches with strong attacking football epitomised by Hughie Gallacher, who scored seven of his team's 12 goals...
.
McMullan reached an FA Cup final with City again in 1933 but the team were defeated by Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
3-0. While many of his team mates would be part of the City team which won the FA Cup the following year, in May 1933, after 242 League and Cup appearances for City, McMullan joined Oldham Athletic as a player-manager.
Management
After a brief spell at Oldham Athletic he was appointed the first ever manager of Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in 1934. Before his appointment the team was selected by a Committee. However, the move proved disastrous, resulting in Villa's first ever relegation in 1935-36 after 61 years in the top flight. He later managed Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
(1936–1937) and Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
(1937–1939). He died in November 1964
Legacy
McMullan is regarded as one of Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
's best ever players. In 1977 the Manchester City Council named eleven streets in a new estate in Moss Side
Moss Side
Moss Side is an inner-city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. It lies south of Manchester city centre and has a population of around 17,537...
after famous City players including McMullan, Frank Swift
Frank Swift
Frank Victor Swift was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester City and England. After starting his career with local clubs near his home town of Blackpool, in 1932 he was signed by First Division Manchester City, with whom he played his entire professional career.Swift...
, Fred Tilson
Fred Tilson
Samuel Frederick "Fred" Tilson was an association football player for Manchester City and England. He was born in Swinton, South Yorkshire. He was part of the City team that won both the FA Cup and the League Championship in the 1930s...
, Sam Cowan
Sam Cowan
Samuel Cowan was an English football player and manager. A relative latecomer to the sport, Cowan did not play football until he was 17 and was 22 by the time he turned professional...
, Horace Barnes
Horace Barnes
Horace Barnes was an English Football Inside Forward who played for Derby County, Manchester City, Preston North End andOldham Athletic.-Early life:...
, Max Woosnam, Tommy Browell
Tommy Browell
Thomas "Tommy" Browell was an English footballer who played as a forward for Hull City, Everton, Manchester City and Blackpool. He is the seventh-highest Manchester City goalscorer of all time with 139 goals for the club.Browell was born in Walbottle, Northumberland, in 1892...
, Eric Brook
Eric Brook
Eric Fred Brook was an English footballer who played in the outside left position. He is the all time record goalscorer for Manchester City in all competitions and was an England international. Brook was a muscular player with 'one of the fiercest shots in pre-war football' and was a good penalty...
, Sam Cookson, Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
and Tommy Johnson.