Name: John SinclairBorn: 27 August 1955
Died: 14 May 1922, Belfast
Position: Forward
Representative Honours: Ireland: 2 Full Caps (1882).
Club Career:
Knock 1879/80-1881/82
Biography:
Jack Sinclair was the captain of Knock Lacrosse team, which took to Association Football in 1879, becoming captain and the "best player at the club". He was educated at Methodist College, Belfast along with Billy McWha. A Founder Member of the Irish FA, he served as their first Chairman and presided at their first meeting.
A forward who was "very sure with his head", Sinclair featured in Ireland's first two internationals - heavy defeats by England and Wales – under the pseudonym of “Fox”. With Knock he played in the 1881 Irish Cup semi-final, losing out to Cliftonville 2-1 in a replay. In the first round they defeated Distillery 11-0, still their record defeat in the competition. In 1882 Knock defeated Malone 4-0 in the first round, with Fox accorded one of the goals, before succumbing to Cliftonville 2-0 in the next round. The Club was dissolved shortly after this.
Sinclair became an International Umpire in 1885 and later a referee, officiating at seven International Championship matches. His brother, Samuel, had been an umpire at Ireland's first international.
Jack Sinclair was appointed the Belfast Harbour Board Commissioner in 1912. Former Knock and Ireland teammate Rev. Alex Dill M.A. would become his brother-in-law, wedding Sinclair's sister Georgina.
Ireland Cap Details:
18-02-1882 England. H L 0-13 FR
25-02-1882 Wales... A L 1- 7 FR
Summary: 2/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 2.
By George Glass.
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