James McGrahan explained

James McGrahan
Fullname:James McGrahan
Birth Date:3 March 1898
Birth Place:Leadgate, County Durham England
Position:Wing half / centre half
Years2:1922–1923
Caps2:25
Goals2:1
Years3:1923–1924
Caps3:34
Goals3:1
Years4:1924–1925
Years5:1925–1927
Caps5:26
Goals5:0
Years6:1927–19??
Manageryears1:1948–1949
Managerclubs1:Boston United

James McGrahan (3 March 1898 – after 1948), also known as Jimmy McGrahan or McGraham, was an English footballer who made 85 appearances in the Football League playing for Lincoln City (in two spells) and Wigan Borough. He played as a wing half or centre half.[1]

Life and career

McGrahan was born in Leadgate, County Durham, and began his football career with Leadgate Park.[1] He moved into the Football League with Lincoln City, and made his debut in the Third Division North on 26 August 1922 in a 3–1 home defeat to Halifax Town.[2] He played 25 League matches before, with the club in financial difficulties later that same season, he and full-back Yaffer Ward left for Wigan Borough.[3] He played 34 League matches, then, after requesting a transfer, signed for Boston Town, where he made his debut in October 1924.[4] [5] McGrahan returned to Lincoln City a year later,[6] and played a further 26 League matches before joining Midland League club Scarborough as player-coach in 1927.[7]

He was later associated with Fleetwood and Portadown football clubs, was a scout for Notts County, and coached at Fylde Rugby Club,[7] [8] before succeeding Fred Tunstall as manager of Boston United in 1948, a post he left the following year.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . SoccerData . Nottingham . 168 . 2004 . 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. Web site: James McGrahan . The Lincoln City FC Archive . Lincoln City F.C . 14 November 2013.
  3. Web site: Returning Imps . The Lincoln City FC Archive . Lincoln City F.C . 8 May 2013.
  4. News: More cash for police, and Jimmy in United hot seat . Horncastle News . 23 April 2008 . 14 November 2013.
  5. Web site: FA Cup: Past Results . The Football Association . 14 November 2013. Select 1924–25 season via dropdown menu.
  6. News: Lincoln full-back goes to Sheffield . Manchester Guardian . 29 October 1925 . 3.
  7. Web site: Players A to Z – (Latham–Murray) . Ramsdale, Bernard . Wigan Borough Football Club – Complete . 15 November 2013.
  8. Web site: Boston United Roll Call . Boston United FC – the original website . Ken Fox . 14 November 2013.
  9. Web site: Evans signs off in second place . https://web.archive.org/web/20090228171843/http://www.bufc.co.uk/article/1063751/Evans-signs-off-in-second-place . Boston United F.C . 27 May 2007 . 28 February 2009 .