john

I edited my profile with Thomas’ Myspace Editor V3.6 !
I was born in Inverness and brought up in Caul, a village of about 3,000 people. My first school was St. Colombus at Fort William. It was about this time that I started to knock a ball around, played a few games for school and couldn't get enough of it. I then went to Loch Harbour High School where another Scottish International also attended. Duncan Shearer is a couple of years older than me and he set the standard to follow. Things went well and I signed schoolboy forms with Fort William, at the age of 14yrs I made my first team debut. During my schooI days I also played in goal, but it was centre forward where I made my mark, and although I've been known to play wide right, there's nothing quite like pulling on the No.10 shirt and banging them in the back of the net! As wells as the school team and Fort William, I was also playing for Loch Harbour District and at 16 yrs represented the North of Scotland. I love my country, and it was a great honour to represent the North, little did I know that one day I'd score on my debut for the full international team. At 18 I moved to Nairn County and played for just one season before the Manager - Mel Cowey emigrated to New Zealand and took me with him. It's a big move for anybody, but at the age of 19, it was even more so. I'd never been away before and it would have been difficult to have travelled any further than Auckland. The standard was far higher than the Highland League, but I adapted well and enjoyed my time out there. I played for an Auckland team, Hanimex North Shore United (Hanimex were the sponsors, they made cameras, camera film etc.) It was a very family orientated place, after a game we'd used to all pile round to one of the player homes, have a few beers and a bar-b-que. Eight months later and I was back in Scotland. Although it was a great place and I really enjoyed my time there, it was always a temporary move. Nairn had an option to take me back and they took it up. The goals went in and I was very happy. I then got to hear that Sunderland were interested in me. Again, the difference between Highland League football and the old Second Division was massive. Len Ashurst was the manager with Frank Burrows his assistant, although I only went on trial, I had to actually sign for Sunderland as I needed International clearance (Scotland is an independent UEFA body so a move to England was an international move!) I ended up playing a few games for the reserves and did ok.However Frank Burrows took me to one side and told me that the boss didn't think there was a lot between me and a young lad they had called Paul Lemon. Paul was a couple of years younger than me and they felt they could bring him on. I was disappointed with the decision, and disappointed that Len Ashurst didn't feel able to tell me face to face. But that's football, and now I'm a manager I can still remember how I felt, treat people the way you'd like to be treated, and that's what I aim to do. I took an interest in Paul Lemon after that, but I never heard much about him. However it wasn't all negative, one of Sunderland's part-time coaches was a guy called Cecil Urwin. He'd had links to Yeovil Town where Gerry Gow, the ex-Bristol City player was manager. Yeovil were in the then Gola League and with only about one month of the season remaining, I thought I'd give it a try. I went down at 21 and then signed a three-year contract.I had a good time at the club and also met my wife, Lee, during my time there. The Chairman, Mike Spearpoint gave me job as a labourer and I was a very happy boy! I was impressed with Gerry Gow, but he was replaced Brian Hall. Brian was well known in the non-league circle after his time at Wealdstone where he brought through players such as Stuart Pearce and Vinny Jones. I had a few fall-outs with him and although Yeovil had an option for another year, I felt it was time to move on. Steve Patterson, now Caledonian Thistle manager (summer 2002), was player-manager at Elgin City and he asked me to go up. It was one of the best moves I made, after three years at Yeovil, I was having to prove myself again. It freshened me up and the goals began to flow. There was talk of a number of teams watching me, but to be honest, I just got on with my game and enjoyed my football. I was twenty-four years old and genuinely thought my chance as a full-time pro had passed me by. By the end of February I'd scored 32 goals and then the phone went. It was Gerry Gow, now manager of Weymouth. It was good to hear from him as not only did we have a good professional understanding, but he's also a great bloke. He said he really wanted me, and that's something that every player likes to hear. He told me that Elgin had agreed a fee of £20,000 and he'd be flying up the next day. I thought great, and was looking forward to seeing and working with him. The next day I collected him for the airport and drove to the ground, we waited in the bar for the Directors to call us in, then one of the biggest twists in my football career occurred... The secretary came out of the board room and said 'can I have a word John?'. I thought it would be something to do with money, but as I got into the boardroom, the Chairman says…'McNeil's in for you', I didn't know what he was on about, and at first I thought he meant Billy McNeil at Celtic!!! He then told me that they'd accepted a bid of £25,000 from Shrewsbury. Hey, I couldn't believe it, I was nearly 25 and suddenly I was being offered a full-time contract with a club in the English Second Division - it was a dream…that's until I remembered Gerry Gow was sitting in the bar probably wondering what the hell was going on! From elation to feeling sick about Gerry, talk about a roller coaster!I asked if I could speak to Gerry alone. On telling him what was on the table Gerry then spent five minutes trying to persuade me to sign. He tried, but not that hard as he realised the Shrewsbury would be a great move. There were no hard feelings, because that's the type of guy he is. I took him back to airport and he shook my hand, wishing me all the best. I couldn't work out where this bid from Shrewsbury had come from. I learnt that Ian McNeil, the Shrews manager, had a son in Aberdeen and he'd been watching my progress. Although he hadn't seen me play himself, he went in on the recommendation of his son…a big gamble, especially for a 25 year old - but it did pay off.The new day I drove to my mothers and ditched my car. I couldn't drive all the way to Shrewsbury in my car - I'd never had made it! On arriving I was impressed, it was my big chance, just when I thought a full-time contract would never come my way. I made my debut from the bench in a 1-1 draw at Walsall, then made a scoring full debut at home to Plymouth in a 2-0 win. For me, this was the big time… I was playing against teams such as Man City, Leeds, and Chelsea - a far cry from the Highland League. I was playing upfront with Alan Irvine, and Carl Griffiths. After signing on the 22nd of February (1989) I finished the season with 16 appearances and added another 5 goals to my 32 I'd scored for Elgin.Pro football was great, and now I had my first pre-season - all at the not so tender age of 25. When the season kicked off I felt great, much fitter and stronger than I'd ever been. Things went well for me, although in January Ian McNeil was replaced by Asa Hartford. Asa brought in David Moyles (now the Everton boss) as his player-coach and as the season came to a close, so did my contract.I knew that Bruce Rioch had been interested in taking me to Millwall, but then Asa came in and said that Sam Ellis wanted to talk me at Bury. I fancied the Millwall move, but out of courteously I drove up to Gigg Lane to see Sam. They say first impression count, well when Sam shock hands with me, he nearly ripped my hand off! Again, Bury wanted me and at the time the club had some money and looked to be very ambitious. Sam asked for 24 hours to come up with a package for me. I was driving back to Shrewsbury when my phone went, it was Sam saying that he'd got the package for me and could I come back? I actually went back the following day and ended up signing for £175,000.I got off to a good start and was enjoying my football, although the family were still in Shrewsbury and the driving was a bit of a drag. When I look back at those days with Bury, I have to laugh when I think of one of the greatest characters I've known in football... Wilf McGuiness. He was on one the Busby babes and was an absolute scream in the dressing room. Although technically only the 'kit man', he was so much more. He lifted spirits like no one else could ever do, whether it was old war stories about George Best, wise cracks or practical jokes - he had the lot! Another Bury character who had the lot was the Hugh Eves, the Chairman. When I arrived at the club, money wasn't a problem, I then learnt that Mr.Eves was somehow involved in the Polly-Peck financial scandal and the cash dried up. We went from one extreme to the other, within six months you couldn't even got a pair of boot laces out of the club! As a result all the players were asked to attend a club meeting. It was then explained that at least six players would have to be sold to balance the books. Just prior to this, I'd spent a period injured and when I recovered, they wouldn't play me. I'd signed a contract with a financial bonus that meant when I hit ten goals, I'd receive some cash. You could see their perspective, they knew it was going to be pretty difficult for me to score if I wasn't in the team!! This was a lesson I learnt and I never again signed a contract with a similar bonus clause. So as I left the room, I was pretty sure that I'd be one of the six. My instincts were right, and after around 30 appearances and 9 goals, the bags were being packed again!Bruce Rioch came back in for me and I joined Millwall, initially on loan. Once more it was another step up for me, a move in the right direction. I was playing with guys like Teddy Sheringham, Malcolm Allen, and Chris Armstrong, but something else changed when I went to the smoke. I was now 26, an easy come, easy go type of lad who didn't take life really seriously. But now I was working for Bruce Rioch and my laid back days were behind me! Bruce is well known as a disciplinarian, and I tell you what, he helped me reach new standards and I'll be eternally grateful to him. What a man, and what a manager, I've played for some good ones, but Bruce Rioch is the top man! Bruce gave you one chance, but you knew where you stood with him, and that's all you can ask for. Archytypal 'Old-School' Teddy SheringhamAfter only ten months with Millwall, Bruce resigned and was replaced by Mick McCarthy. It was a loss for me, and I was upset with the way it happened. Danny Baker, a Millwall supporter took it upon himself to start a 'Rioch out' campaign, his position in the media with his 'Football 6.06' programme gave him the platform to turn the fans against the manager. People were even turning out at reserve games to give him abuse!My loan period came to an end and the move became permanent with an £80,000 transfer fee. Bury took a loss on me, and I think the £80,000 represented the sum outstanding that they owed to Shrewsbury. Although I found Millwall a good footballing move, I didn't enjoy living down there. We moved to Bromley in Kent, where none of the neighbours spoke to us! Luckily Colin Cooper (Coops) also moved in and we got on great. By May 1991 Teddy Sheringham had knocked in 38 goals and we managed to reach the play-offs. Brighton saw us off.I'd made up my mind to go, and when Bruce joined Bolton, I'd hoped he'd come in for me. Due to Bolton's finances nothing happened, Bruce told me to sit tight at Millwall and see what came up. I started the 1991-92 in the first team but by the end of September Bolton had come up with £125,000 and I was re-united with Bruce. I took two minutes to sign. Money's never been my driving force, I was just glad to join Bolton. I actually took a pay cut, lost around 1/3 of my salary and also my club car. But Bruce told me to trust him, he was going to turn Bolton around and when he did so, he'd see me alright. It wasn't a gamble, I trusted him and was now about to start the best period of my life with a club that I will always love and a town that has made my family and I so welcome…I remember speaking to Gordon Sharrock's of the Bolton Evening News, I told him that the move 'felt right' for me. It was time to sell the caravan, I'd had enough of the gypsy lifestyle and Bolton was where I'd now call home.My first game at Burden went well, a 2-0 home win against Hull. 'Didsy' (David Lee) was with us on-loan from Southampton and we formed a good understanding. We had a great run in the F.A. Cup holding Liverpool at Burnden and then beating them at Anfield where I scored in a 2-0 win. We won promotion and consolidated our league position but repeated the cup run, this time with notable wins over Everton, Arsenal, and Villa.The following year, '94-'95, we were going well in the league, and again did fantastically in the cup, losing the Coca Cola Cup final 2-0 to Liverpool. Apart from the two goals, there was very little between the sides. I also think that playing at Wembley helped us prepare for the play-off final against Reading - one of the most incredible games I've played in! Prior to the game, we had a week in Portugal to get some sun and provide focus. We lost David Lee with a broken foot and as a result Bruce asked me to play wide right with Mixu up front. Reading started off fantastically and we just couldn't get the ball off them, it was like playing Brazil! By the 26th minute we were 2-0 down and then the ref awarded a penalty against us. Keith Branagan saved it, which not only kept us in the game, but it also gave us a psychological boost. Bruce always insisted that when the half time whistle went, the team should get straight to the changing rooms. We trotted of the pitch and sat in the changing rooms with not a great deal being said. It seemed an eternity before Bruce appeared and we were all expecting a real going over from him. In actual fact he was very calm and reassured us that if we continued to play as we'd done in the latter period of the first half, we could find ourselves in the Premiership.The atmosphere changed and when the second half got under way we tore them apart. We got the two goals to take it to extra-time, Mixu scoring a cracker. We then went 4-2 up before big Jimmy Quinn got one back for Reading in the final moments. It was an incredible feeling for me. With getting into the game so late, I'd only dreamed about playing Premiership football and now it was reality. I had about forty friends and family down from Scotland so it was just perfect. You can only feel sorry for the Reading boys, so near but so far. At least Shaka Hislop, who had had a tremendous season, got a move to Newcastle and also made it to the top flight.The only thing that tarnished the day was the continued speculation that Arsenal were in for Bruce. As the promotion elation subsided, these rumours were becoming unsettling. If we were to survive in the Premiership then we'd need strengthening and the loss of our manager would be a great blow. Gordon Hargreaves, the Chairman took me to one side. As club captain Gordon was telling me that Bruce was staying at the club and I was to reassure the players that they'd be OK. However by June it became apparent that Bruce was indeed off to Arsenal, a move to a massive club that professionally he simply couldn't turn down.A new management team took over, Colin Todd and Roy McFarland. It never worked as no one really knew who was doing what. If you went to Colin with a problem you felt you were going behind Roy's back - and vice versa. We were struggling in the league and I felt that Roy was then made a scapegoat. By January he had gone. I was playing wide right with Nathan (Blake) up front on his own. This was happening for both home and away games, a very negative tactic that simply wasn't working. We couldn't keep a hold of the ball and Sasa (Curcic) was beating players then losing possession. The whole team used to get caught out of position because he hadn't laid off the ball. The inevitable happened and we were back in the first division.During the pre-season of '96-'97 we signed two great boys; Per Frandsen and Michael Johansen. Not only were they very decent players, but they had a professional work ethic and mixed well with the rest of the lads. We had a great start and the team just clicked, we knew we'd get promotion and finished the season with a record points total. The last game of the season was also the last at Burnden Park. It was a historic day, we were Champions, we needed two goals to hit a century of league goals and I was very close to winning the golden boot whilst also being voted centre forward in the PFA Division One team. All my friends and family were there and we were determined to go out in style. Mid way into the second half we were awarded a penalty, it was my chance to score the last goal at Burnden and also edge closer to the golden boot, I stepped up and it hit the back of the net! But it wasn't over yet, Jimmy Phillips crossed the ball and I slid in to score a good goal from open play - my dream had come true. It was one of the most emotional days for me, we were leaving behind so much history but almost in tribute the old ground, we'd given it a hell of season to bow out from.There was a great deal of optimism and we were looking forward to season '97-'98 especially with a new stadium to play in! We'd bought two good full backs in Robbie Elliott and Neil Cox and things were looking good.However, Colin Todd was to pull me to one side where I was informed he saw me a squad player and he couldn't make any guarantees about my future. I was now 32 and the club had brought in Peter Beardsley and Dean Holdsworth. That said, we'd just got promoted and scored 100 league goals. I still felt that he should have given me and Nathan ten games or so to see how it went. If he'd done that, he may have saved some money and been able to strengthen elsewhere. I had half and eye on the world cup and needed to be playing first team football. Manchester City and Birmingham were said to be interested, and then I got the call from Chris Kamara at Bradford. I was interested, but Bolton wanted a lot of cash. They disappointed me as I'd been told I was only a squad player and it wasn't as if I had given my all for the club. Eventually a deal for £650,000 went through, and after the greatest time in my career, I was on the move again.I'd joined Bradford in November 1997 with a bit of a niggle in my Achilles tendon. I'd had a cortisone injection and this had freed it up. However I could feel the symptoms returning and I was more than a little concerned. I was partnered with Lee Mills or Edinho with Peter Beagrie throwing in the crosses from the left wing.I was still feeling the Achilles and the time between cortisone injections was getting shorter and shorter. It took me 30 minutes to warm up and I knew I had a problem. One day, when we were playing Man City I came off at half time and couldn't so much as walk! I rested it for a few months but on returning it soon reappeared. The only answer was surgery - which also meant a premature end to the season and waving goodbye to any chance of France '98.I reported in for the pre-season with the other boys, but I tore the achilles once again, and this time the surgeon wouldn't operate as it was too soon after the first operation. He recommended another six to eight months of rest. With no guarantee that the rest would heal the weakness, I had to accept that my career at the top was coming to a close. I had a three-year contract with Bradford, but I didn't think it was right just to hang around and collect my salary month after month - especially as the problem had started when I was at Bolton. After a meeting with Geoffrey Richmond, I took six months pay and we cancelled the contract.For the first time in my life I didn't know what I was doing. I hadn't planned for retirement and hadn't even taken a coaching badge. I rested for another three months and then decided to tickle the Achilles and see how it went. I then got a call from Shrewsbury and Oldham. Andy Ritchie was managing the latics and he invited me over to train and take it from there. The family were settled in Bolton and Oldham's not far away, I had nothing to lose. The training went well and I managed to get a few games in. Although I didn't know it at the time, my last game was an F.A. Cup tie at Brentford. The game went out live on Sky and went into extra time, we ended up winning 2-0, I scored and was also made man of the match - not a bad way to go out!A position came up in the States, and in May 2000 I signed a three-year contract as player-coach with Cincinnati Riverhawks . Again I was enjoying life. The standard of football was poor, with the players quite naïve, lacking flare although very methodological. The dressing room banter was virtually non-existent and I began to miss home. The role wasn't made easier in having the Chairman as Head Coach! Just around the end of the season my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, and this made my mind up, I was coming home.We'd rented out our home on a three-year contract, so we had to find somewhere to live. It was late spring 2002 when we moved back to Bolton, and by then I was now into the next stage of my football career.On returning to England I'd fancied a crack at management. In December 2000 I joined Gressley Rovers from the Dr. Martens League. We picked up a few points and managed to save the club from relegation. After assessing the playing staff at the South Derbyshire club, I moved on twenty players. I also brought in two guys who had knowledge of the non-league seen; Andy Mason (my assistant manager) and Stuart Connor (my coach). We're a team, we each have a role and we work well together. The following season the club went up to 5th in league, but due to Gressley's financial situation, I hadn't been offered a contract. If a contract had been signed, I'd probably still be there.In March 2001 Ilkeston Town came in for me. Also in Derbyshire, Ilkeston were in the Dr. Martens Premier division and as such, they offered a new challenge at a higher level and the resources to make improvements. Again we managed to turn things around and we avoided relegation, losing only one of the last ten games. I' moved on quite a few players, re-structured the playing contracts to award those who contribute to the club, and brought in some new faces. However the results didn’t go our way, and I left the club in November 2002.Since then I’ve been working in the media, particularly with match day commentary for Tower FM. I’m still looking to get back into football, although it has to be the right opportunity for me.