John McVicker

Name: John McVicker
Born: 29 April 1868
Died: Macclesfield
Position: Centre-Forward / Right-Back

Representative Honours: Ireland: 2 Full Caps (1888-1889).

Club Career:
Clubs....... --Seasons—- League FA Cup
Glentoran... 83/84-87/88
Linfield.... 87/88-88/89
Glentoran... 88/89-90/91
Birmingham St George’s (Football Alliance)
Accrington.. 91/92...... .19/ 0 ..3/ 0
Ardwick..... 92/93-93/94 .26/ 0 ..3/ 0
Macclesfield.94/95.... (Combination)
Totals.... ............. .45/ 0 ..6/ 0

Biography:
John McVicker became the first Irish international to feature in the English Football League when he appeared for (the original) Accrington FC in the 1891/92 season.

A member of Glentoran in their first season in football, McVicker was just fourteen years-old when he turned out in the forward-line for a number of friendly appearances. His competitive debut came in the following seasons Irish Cup, still four months short of his sixteenth birthday. More normally he turned out for the Glens’ Second XI, for whom he scored a hattrick against Lavinia in March 1884.

In 1885/86 McVicker scored his first recorded competitive goals, consecutive braces in the Irish Cup against Ligoniel and YMCA. He also played in Glentoran’s first Final appearance, a 5-1 Belfast Charity Cup defeat by Cliftonville. In 1887/88 he was the scorer of the Glens’ first ever goal against Linfield, but the Blues won that historic clash 3-1. By the end of the season’s end he was a Linfield player, and it was while on the Blues’ books that he made his Ireland debut.

McVickler returned to Glentoran during the 1888/89 season, converting to right-back. It was in that role that he won his second cap. In windy conditions the Irish put in a “plucky” performance, but their “packed goal” couldn’t see off a rampant Scotland who ran out 7-0 winners.

In 1891 McVicker became the first Glentoran player to transfer to an English club, signing with Birmingham St. George. He then played League football with Accrington and Ardwick (renamed Manchester City in 1894) before playing his final football with Macclesfield. He remained in Macclesfield until his death.

Ireland Cap Details:
07-04-1888 England. L 1-6 BC
09-03-1889 Scotland L 0-7 BC

Summary: 2/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 2.