
Big Alan was a vital part of the side which won the League Championship in 1931/32, his solid shifts in goal assured the Fir Park faithful that the cup was heading Motherwell way. He played in all 38 league matches as a club out with the Old Firm finally won the Championship. The last club to do this was Third Lanark in 1903/04 season. On the 11th February 1933, Alan became the first ever Motherwell goalkeeper to be sent off. After punching a Rangers effort on goal away. Gers striker Sam English for no reason whatsoever seemingly barged the ‘Well keeper and Alan retaliated by tripping English’s heels on the way past sending him flying. The end result saw McClory red carded and the Rangers forward get away without even a yellow. TYPICAL!
A few years later following a 3-2 defeat at Ibrox against Rangers Alan was dropped to the reserves. He’d eventually leave the club in 1937, he was in his veteran stages. He never went too far as he joined local Lanarkshire rivals Albion Rovers where he stayed for three years. As World War II broke out he’d join Motherwell again in 1940 giving more service to the side, but it wasn’t all plain sailing though as he wasn’t always the first choice goalie. In 1946 after hostilities had ceased, he was given a free transfer, he joined a new Irish side called Brideville and they played their football in Dublin. Later on he returned to Armadale where he kept working as a miner until he was seventy years old.
Name:
|
Alan McClory |
Height:
|
6′ |
Weight:
|
12st 10lbs |
Date of Birth:
|
11th November 1899 |
Place of Birth:
|
Armadale |
Position:
|
Goalkeeper |
Nationality:
|
Scottish |
Football Career:
Harthill Bluebell | – | – |
Shotts United | – | 1924 |
Motherwell | 1924 | 1937 |
Brideville | 1937 | 1938 |
Albion Rovers | 1938 | 1939 |
Well Career:
Apps | Goals | |
League:
|
427 | 0 |
Scottish Cup:
|
0 | 0 |
League Cup:
|
0 | 0 |
Other:
|
0 | 0 |
Total:
|
427 | 0 |