John McNaught (footballer, born 1964)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 19 June 1964[1] | ||
Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
Date of death | 7 June 1997 | (aged 32)||
Place of death | Hamilton, Scotland | ||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Central midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
Auchengill Boys Club | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1982–1986 | Hamilton Academical | 106 | (19) |
1986–1987 | Chelsea | 10 | (2) |
1987–1988 | Partick Thistle | 10 | (3) |
1988 | Hamilton Academical | 7 | (2) |
Total | 133 | (26) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
John McNaught (19 June 1964 – 7 June 1997) was a Scottish
Starting as a promising talent at Hamilton Academical, he moved to Chelsea in England but was released after just over a year. He revived his career at Partick Thistle, leading Hamilton to sign him again, before he was forced to retire early due to health problems, which eventually recurred leading to his death at the age of 32.
Career
Hamilton Academical
Born in Glasgow, McNaught began playing at Auchengill Boys Club in the city's Easterhouse district,[3][2] where he was spotted by Hamilton Academical, signing for the second-tier club in 1982 (one of the last players bought in by manager Davie McParland). His combative and energetic performances[4][3] drew the attention of bigger clubs, particularly during the 1985–86 Scottish First Division season which eventually culminated in Accies, led by John Lambie, winning the title and gaining promotion to the top flight for the first time in 20 years.[3] By then, McNaught had moved on, signing for Chelsea of England's top division in May 1986 for a fee of £80,000.[2]
Chelsea
Having been optimistically compared to
His final competitive appearance for the club was at the outset of 1987–88, again at Old Trafford, where he is credited in some sources as the Chelsea goalscorer in a 3–1 reverse,[7] though the statistic is mostly recorded as an own goal by the Red Devils' goalkeeper Gary Walsh.[2][5] By October 1987, with no prospect of further appearances (which would have triggered an additional payment to Hamilton)[3] he had walked out on the club and returned to Scotland.[5] Despite being at Chelsea for little over a year, his spell coincided with those of a large number of other Scottish players at the club: Joe McLaughlin, Les Fridge, Billy Dodds, Kevin McAllister, John Millar, Eddie Cunnington, Gordon Durie, David Speedie, Steve Clarke, Doug Rougvie and Pat Nevin.[8]
Partick Thistle and return to Hamilton
After a period out of the game working as a
Hamilton did win the
Death and legacy
In the early 1990s McNaught underwent a
McNaught was nicknamed 'Worzel' in reference to a perceived resemblance to a popular children's character of the era (a scarecrow with unkempt fair hair).[6][3]
In 2004, he was voted by supporters as Hamilton Academical's all-time '
Honours
Hamilton Academical
References
- ^ "Profile". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Chelsea FC Player Profile: John McNaught". Stamford-Bridge.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "John McNaught – Worzel". Hamilton Academical F.C. (match programme). 2 August 1997. Retrieved 16 October 2018 – via Partick Thistle History Foundation.
- ^ a b "Hamilton Academical's cult heroes". BBC Sport. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kelvin Barker. "John McNaught". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Jose and Terry Are So Unlovable; Chelsea Were Only Good When They Were Rubbish". Evening Chronicle. 30 October 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ "Manchester United v Chelsea, 31 August 1987". 11v11. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ Aidan Smith (16 January 2016). "Interview: Kevin McAllister still grieving end of Brockville". The Scotsman. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "1988 McNaught to Hamilton". 1988. Retrieved 16 October 2018 – via Partick Thistle History Foundation.
- ^ "Sat 20 August 1988 Hearts 3 Hamilton Academical 2". London Hearts Supporters Club. Retrieved 16 October 2018.