Alan McClory joined Motherwell as a 23 year old plying his trade with local junior side, Shotts United. He also worked as a Coalminer from his native Armadale in West Lothian. It was John ‘Sailor’ Hunter who in a few occasions watched the talented keeper in action for Shotts and he was well aware of the young goalie’s potential. Despite this, the ‘Well management had their eye on another young goalkeeper going by the name of McSwick, he too featured for a local junior side named Shieldmuir Celtic, but for some reason, the deal fell through. So in 1924, Hunter quickly secured the services of McClory and soon after joining, he quickly found himself fending between the sticks. During the league season of 1924/25, the side was rather unsettled, especially in the club’s defensive unit and thus we seen the introduction of Alan at the expense of long standing first choice keeper Jock Rundell. Some excellent displays throughout that campaign assured Motherwell would not be relegated. He truly was a goalkeeper of International standards, but throughout his ‘Well career, he would only feature in three full Scottish internationals and also feature in two Scottish League matches. Of course he soon attracted the attention from a host of top English clubs but despite that, he remained committed to the Motherwell cause.

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