Mar-HQ

There are many, many icons of the beautiful game that are recognised, and there are many, many greats that often go unrecognised. Those greats who don’t get anywhere near the recognition are usually found at the grassroots level of the game; dedicating 7-days-a-week (and more nights on than off) so that youngsters in the community can enjoy a game of organised football.

One of those greats, unrecognisable to the world, but very well-known in and around East Kilbride and surrounding areas, was a great footballing father figure named John McSherry who spent many years at E.K.Y.C.

Maranovo remembers Mr McSherry with great affection in a tribute fit for a legend.

It was a cold and damp evening in late January 1978. I was barely two weeks into my new home in Calderwood, East Kilbride when a gentleman knocked on my door asking to speak to me. My mother had no idea who this man was and called for my dad to attend to matters. I could hear my dad inviting the gentleman in. I was oblivious as to who it could be. It certainly wasn’t a schoolteacher as I hadn’t registered yet as we were still settling in and the weather played a part in my extended time off.

Two weeks into my new life in East Kilbride I only knew a handful of kids in my street. We knocked the ball around in the dark at night in Long Calderwood Primary School. That was all I knew then it suddenly hit me, this gentleman had come to the house to complain about me playing football in the school at night…in the dark! My dad summoned me from my bedroom and as I entered the living-room, I was convinced that the man in my house was the janitor of the school. I was done for, I thought.

To my surprise, my dad said: “This is Mr McSherry. He’s from E.K.YC. a football club. He saw you playing and wants to sign you.” I was astonished. The previous club that I played for was Spurs Boys’ Club in Drumchapel, where I originated from but nobody back there signed anything. As organised as it was, it wasn’t a clipboard and folder type of club.

Mr McSherry’s impression on me was instant. He was in a suit, shirt and tie, immaculately turned out and his manners were impeccable. A real gentleman. As fate would have it, both my dad and Mr McSherry had mutual friends from their earlier days growing up in Glasgow. It was meant to be.

Due to the weather, matches and training were cancelled but I was invited to the changing rooms at Whitemoss where we’d take part in a road run of a few short miles. Luckily for me, running was a huge part of my game. I loved running. Off I went, I met Mr McSherry at the entrance and in his typical professional manner, he took me inside and introduced me to the other players. Only Mr McSherry had seen me play. It would be another two weeks before I made my official debut in the famous yellow shirt.

We ran around the streets via the Whirlies and up the Kingsway. I loved it. When I look back now, I can tell you, that was some team. I got to know many top youth players such as Jim Jackson, Derek Rennie, Alex McFadyen, Martin Reid, Allan Murdoch, Joe McGurn and many others. The dressing room was full of young aspiring leaders who were very competitive. In particular, Mr McSherry’s own son John, who had the heart of a lion and could play a bit too.

They were very fit and I can see the how and the why. Mr McSherry set standards. Everything was detailed. Your boots had to be spotless. Your mannerisms and presentation were just as vital because they reflected how you were on the pitch. I played with my shirt hanging over my shorts. I soon found out that Mr McSherry didn’t like that. He would often say, “If you want to be a football player you first have to look like one.” He was right. He was very big on discipline and presentation. I would instil these into my own life and as a coach later on.

I loved the running, I am not going to lie, but I was desperate to play my first game. That day would arrive on a cold Saturday morning in February. I was handed the number 8 shirt. For a 13-year-old boy, this felt amazing to be part of a great set-up. We won 2-1. I scored and assisted the other. Mr McSherry was very pleased with my debut and he made it clear that I had an excellent start to my life at E.K.Y.C. He was very encouraging and this made me feel at ease.

I spent two years at E.K.Y.C. with my second stint not as consistent. The lure of going back to Drumchapel each weekend would prove too much and I left the Y.C. Mr McSherry would once again visit my home where he’d try to talk me out of leaving. It was so unfortunate. I would return years later, though, in a different role.

I always thought of Mr McSherry. He was such an influence. He approached me again when his under-18s would play in a higher division, playing against the most prominent youth clubs in the country. I was already with Kilbowie Union in the Clydebank area and coming from that end of town, the lure of playing alongside guys I had known since childhood would prove too difficult to return to the Y.C.

It would be years later when a chance encounter with my old mentor, Mr Mac, when he gave me the responsibility of training his under-18s for a season. It would prove to be fruitful and resulted in reaching a cup final at Hampden. Despite the defeat, the group of lads were hailed for their hard work and for putting everything they had – and more – into that season. I always say that group of boys were one of the best that I was involved with.

Years later I would continue playing in the lower leagues in Germany before becoming a technical trainer to professional youths in the Bundesliga and establishing a career as an international talent scout and adviser. I can honestly say, with great pride, that it was without question, the influence of great men in my life from my own father and Mr McSherry.

I rubbed shoulders with World Cup winners and developed friendships with some of the game’s biggest names. My journey in the life of football was far from conventional but it was extremely interesting. I remember coaching in Germany and thinking of Mr Mac. He was never far away from my thoughts because to be honest, it was his early guidance that I drew upon that helped me make a name for myself in a very tough environment. I used to pinch myself how a humble Drumchapel boy who would move to East Kilbride could live and work in a country that has won 4 World Cups, 3 European Championships and countless European trophies at club level…and be successful at it…then I am reminded of Mr Mac’s famous words:

“You need 2 As to make it in football. Ability and Application. You can have all the talent in talent in the world but if you don’t apply yourself it’s no use.”  

I never got the chance to tell Mr Mac all the things I wanted to tell him but I hope his family read this. They must have been blessed to have such a hugely influential figure as a father, a husband and a grandfather. They were very lucky to have that sort of greatness looking after them. I know I was and although we only had a couple of small windows in our lives; those windows were massive for me because they opened up a whole new world, thanks to Mr John ‘Mr Mac’ McSherry.

He truly was a highly-respected figure in town and even those who didn’t make the grade, I am certain his early guidance helped those excel in other walks of life, such was the extent of his aura and wisdom.

Thank you, Mr Mac, for everything you did for us. We will never forget.