Bill McKay (footballer, born 1906)

William McKay (24 August 1906 – June 1977) was a Scottish footballer who played for Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United in the 1930s. He also played for East Stirlingshire, Hamilton Academicals, and Stalybridge Celtic. He helped Manchester United to win promotion out of the Second Division in 1935–36 (as champions) and 1937–38.

Bill McKay

Personal information
Full name	William McKay[1]
Date of birth	24 August 1906[1]
Place of birth	West Benhar, North Lanarkshire, Scotland[1]
Date of death	1977 (aged 70–71)
Place of death	Manchester, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Wing half Inside forward
Youth career
	Shotts Battlefield
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	East Stirlingshire
	Hamilton Academicals
1929–1934	Bolton Wanderers	104	(17)
1934–1946	Manchester United	169	(15)
	Stalybridge Celtic
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

McKay began his career with Shotts Battlefield, and played in the Scottish Football League for East Stirlingshire and Hamilton Academicals, before moving down to England to play for Bolton Wanderers in December 1929. Bolton were a struggling First Division club, finishing 15th in 1929–30, 14th in 1930–31, and 17th in 1931–32, before being relegated in 21st place in 1932–33. The "Trotters" finished one place and one point outside the Second Division promotion places in 1933–34. Remaining at Burnden Park for close to just over four years, he scored 17 goals in 104 league appearances.

McKay joined Manchester United in March 1934. He helped United to avoid relegation from the Second Division at the tail end of the 1933–34 season, and rise up the table to fifth position in 1934–35. He was part of the successful promotion campaign of 1935–36, as United won the Second Division title. However they were relegated straight back down to the Second Division the following season, but McKay's four goals in four games at the end of the 1937–38 season helped the club regain to secure second place and therefore regain their First Division status. The "Red Devils" then finished 14th in 1938–39.

McKay's career was disrupted by the Second World War, putting at end to the Football League in the first half of the 1940s, though he did turn out for Manchester United in their wartime games. During the war he also made guest appearances for Stockport County and Port Vale, playing in Port Vale's 4–2 defeat by rivals Stoke City at The Old Recreation Ground.[1]

He was transferred to Cheshire County League club Stalybridge Celtic when football resumed in 1946, his 40-year-old body presumably not fit for action at Old Trafford.[2] During his United career, he played in 182 games and scored 15 goals over all competitions.[3]

Statistics

Source:[4]

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bolton Wanderers	1929–30	First Division	22	5	1	0	23	5
	1930–31	First Division	28	3	2	0	30	3
	1931–32	First Division	13	0	1	0	14	0
	1932–33	First Division	22	4	1	0	23	4
	1933–34	Second Division	19	5	0	0	19	5
	Total		104	17	5	0	109	17
Manchester United	1933–34	Second Division	10	0	0	0	10	0
	1934–35	Second Division	38	3	3	0	41	3
	1935–36	Second Division	35	0	3	0	38	0
	1936–37	First Division	29	4	2	0	31	4
	1937–38	Second Division	37	7	3	0	40	3
	1938–39	First Division	20	1	2	0	22	1
	Total		169	15	13	0	182	15

Honours

Manchester United

• Football League Second Division: 1935–36
• Football League Second Division promotion: 1937–38

References

1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 194. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
2. "WILLIAM McKAY". mufcinfo.com. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
3. "Profile". stretfordend.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
4. Bill McKay at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)