Jamie McCunnie explained

Jamie McCunnie
Fullname:Jamie Patrick McCunnie
Birth Date:15 April 1983
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:–1999
Youthclubs1:Dundee United
Years1:1999–2003
Caps1:60
Goals1:0
Years2:2003–2005
Caps2:63
Goals2:0
Years3:2005–2007
Caps3:36
Goals3:0
Years4:2007–2009
Caps4:44
Goals4:1
Years5:2009–2010
Caps5:28
Goals5:2
Years6:2010–2011
Caps6:10
Goals6:0
Years7:2011–2012
Caps7:20
Goals7:1
Years8:2012
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2012–2013
Caps9:35
Goals9:0
Years10:2014–2021
Clubs10:Broughty Athletic
Nationalyears1:2001–2005
Nationalcaps1:20
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2005
Nationalteam2:Scotland B
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Manageryears1:2017
Managerclubs1:Broughty Athletic (caretaker)
Manageryears2:2018–2021
Managerclubs2:Broughty Athletic
Club-Update:22:06, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

Jamie Patrick McCunnie (born 15 April 1983 in Glasgow) is a Scottish referee and former footballer. His previous clubs include Dundee United, Ross County and Hartlepool United. He has represented Scotland at under-21 and B international levels. McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team for the 2019–20 season and was also the player-manager of Scottish Junior Football East Region Super League team Broughty Athletic.

Playing career

McCunnie began his senior career with Dundee United at youth level, signing for them professionally in 1999. Normally featuring as a right back at this stage of his career, he was given his first team début for United away to Hibernian in December 2000.[1] Despite McCunnie being aged only 17 at the time, manager Alex Smith was sufficiently impressed by his performances to keep him as a regular first team player for the rest of that season, helping the club climb successfully out of relegation and reach a Scottish Cup semi-final. McCunnie's successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract with the Tannadice club,[2] while also making his début for Scotland under-21 side against Poland.[3]

At this time, McCunnie was rated as one of the best young players in Scottish football. However, despite featuring regularly for Dundee United over the next two seasons and becoming captain of the Scotland under-21s, he began to lose consistency from his form. Ian McCall had become manager of Dundee United early in 2003, and seemingly unimpressed by the player's attitude, soon made it known to McCunnie that he was willing to dispense with his services. The somewhat surprised player found himself offloaded to First Division side Ross County, where his former mentor Alex Smith was now manager, in June 2003.[4] McCunnie spent two seasons playing for the Dingwall club, during which time he was converted from right back to a defensive midfield role. His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005 and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football,[5] with a move to English football a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City following a successful trial,[6] but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham was also unproductive. Instead, McCunnie was able to secure himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for Dunfermline Athletic in August 2005. He has established himself as a regular first team player, despite an injury absence early in his Dunfermline career, resulting from an assault outside a Dundee nightclub.[7]

McCunnie joined Hartlepool United on 15 June 2007 on a free transfer,[8] preferring the move to a contract extension, which he was widely expected to sign.[9] On 6 May 2009, he was released by Hartlepool after being deemed surplus to requirements.[10] He signed for East Fife for the 2009–10 season, but was released once the season had finished.

He then moved to Iceland, playing with Haukar, Grindavik and Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur. In March 2012, he returned to Scotland and signed for Stirling Albion.

Managerial career

In the 2019–20 season, McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team.

After leaving Stirling Albion, McCunnie signed for Dundee-based junior club Broughty Athletic. He took over as the club's caretaker manager in August 2017, following the resignation of previous manager Keith Gibson, then was appointed as interim for a second time in the same season after the resignation of Gibsons successor, Jim Finlayson in January 2018.[11] [12]

On 28 February 2018, McCunnie became first team manager at Broughty Athletic.[13]

Refereeing career

At the start of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown in Scotland, McCunnie qualified as a referee. Initially refereeing at grassroots level, McCunnie began refereeing Highland League games from the start of the 2022–23 season.[14]

Personal life

In March 2022, McCunnie was left scarred for life after he was attacked in an over-35s league match.[15]

Career statistics

After 25 October 2008

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
Season Club LeagueApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps Goals
ScotlandLeagueScottish CupLeague CupTotal
2000–01Dundee UnitedScottish Premier League15040colspan=2-190
2001–022804020340
2002–03130colspan=2-10140
2003–04Ross CountyScottish First Division3501020380
2004–052703010310
2005–06Dunfermline AthleicScottish Premier League2201021251
2006–071404010190
EnglandLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
2007–08Hartlepool UnitedFootball League One2912020331
2008–0970colspan=2-2090

Notes and References

  1. News: Terrors rage after late penalty. 30 December 2000. BBC Sport. 2008-10-27.
  2. News: McCunnie and Hay sign on. 7 April 2001. BBC Sport. 2008-10-27.
  3. News: Young Poles edge out Scots. 24 April 2001. BBC Sport. 2008-10-27.
  4. News: United complete Bullock deal. 27 June 2003. BBC Sport. 2008-10-27.
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/ross_county/4524109.stm McCunnie will leave Ross County
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/4712215.stm McCunnie impresses with Cardiff
  7. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16343907&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=pars-star-jamie-in-bottle-attack--name_page.html Pars star Jamie in bottle attack
  8. http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=69838 Pools Snap Up Scottish Cup Finalist
  9. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/6747989.stm McCunnie stays on at Dunfermline
  10. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5289559,00.html Pools part with quintet
  11. News: Simpson. James. Dundee junior football boss quits and drives 250 miles home from training camp 'over player antics'. 16 August 2017. Evening Telegraph. 2 August 2017. Dundee.
  12. Web site: Defender to take over team matters. Broughty Athletic JFC. 21 February 2018. 7 February 2018.
  13. Web site: Club appoint new manager. Broughty Athletic JFC. 28 February 2018.
  14. Web site: Former Dundee United kid Jamie McCunnie: I was a NIGHTMARE for referees — then I became one . The Courier . 4 July 2023 . 9 September 2023.
  15. Web site: Ex-Dundee United star scarred for life after children's football coach flew into rage . Daily Record . 28 August 2023 . 9 September 2023.