- John McKenna
Infobox Football biography
fullname =
dateofbirth = January 3, 1855
cityofbirth =County Monaghan
countryofbirth =Ireland
dateofdeath = March 1936
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
currentclub =
manageryears = 1892-96
managerclubs = Liverpool (withW. E. Barclay )John McKenna (January 3, 1855 – March 1936), born in
County Monaghan ,Ireland , [ [http://www.lfchistory.net/managers_profile.asp?manager_id=1 | Profile of John McKenna] at lfchistory.net, accessed 27 September 2007.] was a self-made businessman and former rugby player, who was the first manager of Liverpool. [ [https://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/managers/mckenna/ | Profile of John McKenna] at liverpoolfc.tv, accessed 27 September 2007.]He was a friend of
John Houlding and remained with him after Everton leftAnfield forGoodison Park . 'Honest' John was one of the greatest driving forces for Liverpool throughout the early years. An Irishman, Tory, Freemason and friend of John Houlding (founder) - who started off as a grocer's errand boy - he would regularly visit Anfield before the split with Everton, and became an avid supporter of the football played there. 'Honest' John was one of the greatest driving forces for Liverpool throughout the early years.McKenna used his connections to fish for players in
Glasgow , including Duncan McLean, James McBride,Malcolm McVean ,Hugh McQueen ,Matt McQueen ,John McCartney ,Bill McOwen andJoe McQue .It was McKenna, acting as the club's secretary, who telegraphed
the Football League asking for Liverpool to be admitted to it. He did not disclose his plan to anyone, but it worked - Liverpool were invited into the Football League. They played their first Football League match away to Middlesbrough Ironopolis onSeptember 2 1893 , and won 2-0. After an hour's play, it wasMalcolm McVean who broke the deadlock.References
External links
*soccerbase (manager)|id=820|name=John McKenna
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/managers_profile.asp?manager_id=1 Manager profile at LFChistory.net]
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