Mr Dependable
John McPhee 1937-2015
John McPhee was born in Motherwell on 21 November 1937 and he began his football career with Douglas Water Thistle and North Motherwell before moving to Motherwell in 1955 as a part-time professional, this so that he could continue his engineering studies. When Blackpool signed him from Motherwell, where he had been one of manager Bobby Ancell's dynamic young side that was nicknamed 'Ancell's Babes', for a fee of £10,000 on 25 July 1962 he was primarily a wing half although he had reportedly played in 10 different positions in his last season at Motherwell, where he had become a full-time professional. On signing him on a two-year deal Blackpool announced, 'he should turn out to be a useful player' and his weekly terms at the club were £24 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He made his debut for Blackpool in the Central League side at right half against Bury reserves on 21 August 1962 when he scored one of the goals in a 3-1 victory. Then, after three Central League games, he made his League debut at inside left against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw on 1 September 1962. Manager Ronnie Suart introduced him in the forward line to revitalise the attack and he made a very favourable impression as he 'started really well and throughout showed himself to be a vigorous player'. Thereafter in his first season he missed only one game, playing 37 League games, scoring six goals, two FA Cup ties, scoring one goal, and three League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He had also played in three Central League games, scoring two goals.
Starting the 1963/64 season in the half back line and then moving to inside left, he showed his versatility when he was tried at centre forward against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1964 and he repaid the manager's faith by scoring one of the goals in a 2-0 victory. That season saw him play 30 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties and 10 Central League games. He secured a new two-year deal for the 1964/65 season when his terms were marginally revised to £25 per week plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He started the 1964/65 season at centre forward in the Central League side and began in goalscoring form as he scored twice in a 4-2 victory second game over Liverpool reserves and twice in the Central League side’s 4-1 victory over Bury reserves on 5 September 1964.
His form was such that he deservedly regained his League place, perhaps surprisingly
at outside right, against West Bromwich Albion on 7 November 1964 when Blackpool won 3-1. The following week he reverted to a more usual right half for the game against Manchester United on 14 November 1964 when Blackpool lost 2-1. Thereafter he played occasional games at inside left, inside right, centre forward and outside right again but mostly he filled the right half position, finishing the 1964/65 season having played 26 League games, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and 12 Central League games, scoring four goals.
His wholehearted displays earned him the fans' nickname of 'Chopper', and he certainly was a hard tackler, and he was voted Blackpool Supporters’ Club Player of the Year in the 1964/65 season. Chairman Harry Alker said, 'John was a reasonably clear winner and a popular one. I think the supporters picked him because of his loyalty and play-anywhere attitude, rather than someone who does something spectacular one day and nothing the next.' A delighted McPhee commented modestly, 'I wasn’t expecting it. I thought it would have gone to a better-known player. But I am naturally very pleased about it.' And manager Ronnie Suart remarked, 'In view of what John has done for the club I think it was a very fitting award. He has always been willing to play in any position without any grumbles and has more than adequately filled the positions he has played in. There is no finer clubman than John. He is an example to every player who feels that because he is termed a utility player he is something less than other players.'
He wrote his name forever in the Blackpool record books when he became the club’s first participating substitute against Leicester City on 14 September 1965 when he replaced John Craven after 83 minutes. Blackpool, who won the game 3-0, had to that point played 713 minutes first team football without using a substitute. Injury thereafter interrupted his season but he still played 26 League games, made four substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie, one League Cup tie and six Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 8 August 1966 he strained knee ligaments that caused him to miss the start of the 1966/67 season and, once again caused him problems throughout the season. However he was still one of the club's stalwarts and played 25 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties and 13 Central League games in that season.
Over the following two seasons he only missed three games, being ever-present with 42 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1967/68 season and playing 38 League games, making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, five League Cup ties plus one Central League game (on his return from injury) in the 1968/69 season. Then, speaking of the ‘play anywhere’ brigade of footballers in mid-September 1969, one national critic pointed out that Blackpool had such a player in John McPhee who he stated, 'has filled a number of positions in defence, midfield and up front with notable success in recent seasons'. He most certainly had been a success and the fans knew it and loved him for it.
He lost nothing the following season as, in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Millwall on 11 October 1969, one critic reported, 'McPhee, the driving force and chief schemer in the Blackpool side was probably the best player on the field'. And, in what turned out to be his final season at Bloomfield Road, he went on to play 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, and play in three FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1969/70 season.
As a reward for his sterling service he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1970 after having played in 291 games for Blackpool, 249 League games plus 10 substitute appearances in which he scored 14 goals, 13 FA Cup ties, in which he scored one goal, and 19 League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He also played in 41 Central League games, scoring seven goals.
He was transferred Barnsley in June 1970 and he went on to play 26 League games and score three goals for the club in his one season at Oakwell. Barnsley then transferred him to Southport in July 1971. He went on to play 85 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties for Southport where he was recognised as 'Southport’s most inspiring skipper since Arthur Turner.' In addition, he led the team to the Fourth Division championship title in his final season, 1972/73.
In 1964, he had acquired what became the Sheraton Hotel on North Promenade and after retirement from football he and his family continued to run, and expand, the thriving business. He also played golf and was a well respected and talented player at North Shore Golf Club.
He sadly died after a long illness on 4 January 2014. His former skipper Jimmy Armfield paid tribute to him with “It’s a sad time for everyone. He’s a player and a person who will always be remembered. John was full of life and a terrific person to have around the club. He was such a vibrant character. The first thing you’d say about him as a footballer is – what a fantastic competitor. He didn’t join as a defender but soon settled into the back line alongside Glynn James [sic]. They became a great friends. The nickname 'Chopper' was something we never heard in the dressing room. It was more of a fan thing. He was a tough player. He played for keeps, put it that way.” He added, "Although he came down from Motherwell, John really bought into Blackpool as a place. He loved Blackpool, became a successful businessman in the town and lived here ever since first arriving from Scotland. I think I played in all of John’s 291 games at the club, so it’s fair to say I knew him well. He’s someone I was very fond of and kept in touch with long after we hung up our boots. He’ll be fondly remembered.”
He will be sadly missed by family, friends and football fans everywhere, particularly those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed his competitive skills while he wore the tangerine and white shirt of Blackpool. Rest in peace John McPhee.
John McPhee was born in Motherwell on 21 November 1937 and he began his football career with Douglas Water Thistle and North Motherwell before moving to Motherwell in 1955 as a part-time professional, this so that he could continue his engineering studies. When Blackpool signed him from Motherwell, where he had been one of manager Bobby Ancell's dynamic young side that was nicknamed 'Ancell's Babes', for a fee of £10,000 on 25 July 1962 he was primarily a wing half although he had reportedly played in 10 different positions in his last season at Motherwell, where he had become a full-time professional. On signing him on a two-year deal Blackpool announced, 'he should turn out to be a useful player' and his weekly terms at the club were £24 plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He made his debut for Blackpool in the Central League side at right half against Bury reserves on 21 August 1962 when he scored one of the goals in a 3-1 victory. Then, after three Central League games, he made his League debut at inside left against Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw on 1 September 1962. Manager Ronnie Suart introduced him in the forward line to revitalise the attack and he made a very favourable impression as he 'started really well and throughout showed himself to be a vigorous player'. Thereafter in his first season he missed only one game, playing 37 League games, scoring six goals, two FA Cup ties, scoring one goal, and three League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He had also played in three Central League games, scoring two goals.
Starting the 1963/64 season in the half back line and then moving to inside left, he showed his versatility when he was tried at centre forward against Bolton Wanderers on 7 March 1964 and he repaid the manager's faith by scoring one of the goals in a 2-0 victory. That season saw him play 30 League games, scoring five goals, two FA Cup ties and 10 Central League games. He secured a new two-year deal for the 1964/65 season when his terms were marginally revised to £25 per week plus an extra £5 when he played in the first team.
He started the 1964/65 season at centre forward in the Central League side and began in goalscoring form as he scored twice in a 4-2 victory second game over Liverpool reserves and twice in the Central League side’s 4-1 victory over Bury reserves on 5 September 1964.
His form was such that he deservedly regained his League place, perhaps surprisingly
at outside right, against West Bromwich Albion on 7 November 1964 when Blackpool won 3-1. The following week he reverted to a more usual right half for the game against Manchester United on 14 November 1964 when Blackpool lost 2-1. Thereafter he played occasional games at inside left, inside right, centre forward and outside right again but mostly he filled the right half position, finishing the 1964/65 season having played 26 League games, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie and 12 Central League games, scoring four goals.
His wholehearted displays earned him the fans' nickname of 'Chopper', and he certainly was a hard tackler, and he was voted Blackpool Supporters’ Club Player of the Year in the 1964/65 season. Chairman Harry Alker said, 'John was a reasonably clear winner and a popular one. I think the supporters picked him because of his loyalty and play-anywhere attitude, rather than someone who does something spectacular one day and nothing the next.' A delighted McPhee commented modestly, 'I wasn’t expecting it. I thought it would have gone to a better-known player. But I am naturally very pleased about it.' And manager Ronnie Suart remarked, 'In view of what John has done for the club I think it was a very fitting award. He has always been willing to play in any position without any grumbles and has more than adequately filled the positions he has played in. There is no finer clubman than John. He is an example to every player who feels that because he is termed a utility player he is something less than other players.'
He wrote his name forever in the Blackpool record books when he became the club’s first participating substitute against Leicester City on 14 September 1965 when he replaced John Craven after 83 minutes. Blackpool, who won the game 3-0, had to that point played 713 minutes first team football without using a substitute. Injury thereafter interrupted his season but he still played 26 League games, made four substitute appearances, one FA Cup tie, one League Cup tie and six Central League games, scoring two goals, in the 1965/66 season.
In a pre-season friendly game against Preston North End on 8 August 1966 he strained knee ligaments that caused him to miss the start of the 1966/67 season and, once again caused him problems throughout the season. However he was still one of the club's stalwarts and played 25 League games, plus making one substitute appearance, one FA Cup tie, four League Cup ties and 13 Central League games in that season.
Over the following two seasons he only missed three games, being ever-present with 42 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1967/68 season and playing 38 League games, making one substitute appearance, scoring one goal, one FA Cup tie, five League Cup ties plus one Central League game (on his return from injury) in the 1968/69 season. Then, speaking of the ‘play anywhere’ brigade of footballers in mid-September 1969, one national critic pointed out that Blackpool had such a player in John McPhee who he stated, 'has filled a number of positions in defence, midfield and up front with notable success in recent seasons'. He most certainly had been a success and the fans knew it and loved him for it.
He lost nothing the following season as, in Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Millwall on 11 October 1969, one critic reported, 'McPhee, the driving force and chief schemer in the Blackpool side was probably the best player on the field'. And, in what turned out to be his final season at Bloomfield Road, he went on to play 25 League games, plus making four substitute appearances, and play in three FA Cup ties and three League Cup ties in the 1969/70 season.
As a reward for his sterling service he was given a free transfer on 30 June 1970 after having played in 291 games for Blackpool, 249 League games plus 10 substitute appearances in which he scored 14 goals, 13 FA Cup ties, in which he scored one goal, and 19 League Cup ties, scoring three goals. He also played in 41 Central League games, scoring seven goals.
He was transferred Barnsley in June 1970 and he went on to play 26 League games and score three goals for the club in his one season at Oakwell. Barnsley then transferred him to Southport in July 1971. He went on to play 85 League games, scoring one goal, two FA Cup ties and four League Cup ties for Southport where he was recognised as 'Southport’s most inspiring skipper since Arthur Turner.' In addition, he led the team to the Fourth Division championship title in his final season, 1972/73.
In 1964, he had acquired what became the Sheraton Hotel on North Promenade and after retirement from football he and his family continued to run, and expand, the thriving business. He also played golf and was a well respected and talented player at North Shore Golf Club.
He sadly died after a long illness on 4 January 2014. His former skipper Jimmy Armfield paid tribute to him with “It’s a sad time for everyone. He’s a player and a person who will always be remembered. John was full of life and a terrific person to have around the club. He was such a vibrant character. The first thing you’d say about him as a footballer is – what a fantastic competitor. He didn’t join as a defender but soon settled into the back line alongside Glynn James [sic]. They became a great friends. The nickname 'Chopper' was something we never heard in the dressing room. It was more of a fan thing. He was a tough player. He played for keeps, put it that way.” He added, "Although he came down from Motherwell, John really bought into Blackpool as a place. He loved Blackpool, became a successful businessman in the town and lived here ever since first arriving from Scotland. I think I played in all of John’s 291 games at the club, so it’s fair to say I knew him well. He’s someone I was very fond of and kept in touch with long after we hung up our boots. He’ll be fondly remembered.”
He will be sadly missed by family, friends and football fans everywhere, particularly those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed his competitive skills while he wore the tangerine and white shirt of Blackpool. Rest in peace John McPhee.
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