|
|
|
|
|
Full Name
|
John Carey
|
|
Date of Birth
|
23rd
Feb 1919
|
|
Place of Birth
|
Dublin
|
|
Position
|
Full back
|
|
Height
|
5ft 11
|
|
United debut
|
25/9/1937
vs So'ton (H)
|
.....
|
Carey's United Record 1937-1953
|
| |
Appearances
|
Goals
|
|
League
|
306
|
17
|
|
FA Cup
|
38
|
1
|
|
League Cup
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Europe
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Total
|
344
|
18
|
|
Carey's International Record
1937-1953
|
27 Caps for Rep of Ireland -
3 Goals
9 Caps for Northern Ireland
1952 1st Div League Championship
1948 F.A. Cup
|
Johnny Carey was one of United's great
captains, the Roy Keane of his day. Amazingly versatile he
played in every position except outside right, although his
favoured position was in defence. His career from 1937-53
was interrupted by the War, however he still won the 1948 FA
Cup and 1952 League title. Playing in International's for
both the Republic and Northern Ireland, Carey was one of the
greatest defenders of his generation.
He was born in Dublin on 23rd February 1919 and was first
spotted whilst playing for local side St James' Gate by
United's Dublin scout Billy Behan. At 17 he was brought to
Old Trafford by United chief scout Louis Rocca for a modest
fee of £250. Initially signed as an inside-left, he was in
competition with another famous United player of the time,
Stan Pearson, for this position. Supposedly the state of the
pitch would often decide who would play.
At the age of 17 he made his debut at Old Trafford against
Southampton but his career was interrupted by the outbreak
of World War Two. During the War Carey served in the Middle
East and in Italy and played as a guest player for various
league clubs. In October 1945 he resumed his playing career
with Manchester United, where he was switched to the
position of full-back.
Carey was one of the outstanding defenders of his time. His
innovative defensive play included clever positioning and
clean tackling. Throughout a highly successful career, Carey
captained United to the FA Cup in 1948 and the League
Championship in 1952. Uniquely he played for both the
Republic and Northern Ireland, a total of 27 and 9 times
respectively. He captained the rest of Europe side which
played Britain in 1947, in a fundraising match for UEFA and
was voted footballer of the year in 1949.
|
After making 344 appearances for Manchester
United, scoring 18 goals, Carey retired from football in May
1953. He was invited by the United board to a meeting where
they conveyed their special thanks to him for his services
and offered him a position at the club as a coach. However,
in August of the same year he opted to became manager of
Blackburn Rovers instead. He also went on to manage Everton,
Leyton Orient and Nottingham Forest, before returning to
Blackburn for a second spell as manager. Though he died on
Feburary 22nd 1995 at the age of 75, Johnny Carey's place in
history is secure and he will be fondly remembered for a
long time to come as one of the finest players to wear the
red of United. |
|
|
Back to United Legends
Back
to Main Page
All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
|
|
