Alec McClure
 McClure in Birmingham colours | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander McClure[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 3 April 1892 | ||
| Place of birth | Workington, England | ||
| Date of death | August 1973 (aged 81) | ||
| Place of death | Birmingham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.82 m)[2] | ||
| Playing position | Centre half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| - | Grangetown Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1912–1923 | Birmingham | 192 | (4) |
| 1923–1924 | Aston Villa | 7 | (0) |
| 1924–1926 | Stoke | 28 | (0) |
| 1926–1928 | Coventry City | 49 | (7) |
| 1928 | Walsall | 11 | (0) |
| Total | 287 | (11) | |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Alexander McClure (3 April 1892 – August 1973) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre half. He played for Birmingham both before and after the First World War, making 198 appearances in all competitions, and helped them win the championship of the Second Division in 1920–21. He also played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Stoke, Coventry City and Walsall.[1][3]
Career
Born in Workington, Cumberland, McClure was a powerful player with good positional ability, who captained Birmingham's reserve team before establishing himself as club captain and linchpin of the first team's defence. He played for the Football League XI in 1921–22 against the Irish Football League. After leaving Birmingham he went on to play for four other Midlands teams, Aston Villa, Stoke, Coventry City and Walsall. On retiring from playing he worked for short periods as trainer at various clubs, including trainer of Birmingham's juniors, and in 1932 he was appointed assistant manager of the club under Leslie Knighton and later under George Liddell. After leaving football he worked for Rudge motorcycles and went on to run a successful haulage business in Small Heath, Birmingham.[1][3][4]
During the First World War McClure served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the Zeebrugge Raid. He died in Birmingham at the age of 81.[3][4]
References
- 1 2 3 Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
- ↑ Official Football Programme. Programme Syndicate for Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C. 23 December 1922. p. 12.
- 1 2 3 Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 108. ISBN 1-85983-010-2.
- 1 2 Matthews, Tony (October 2000). The Encyclopedia of Birmingham City Football Club 1875–2000. Cradley Heath: Britespot. p. 145. ISBN 0-9539288-0-2.