Johnny Carey

The coach to the Republic of Ireland team that played the Netherlands at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, in 1948, Johnny Carey had the distinction of captaining the Rest of Europe against Great Britain in 1947, and in 1949 led Ireland to a 2-0 win over England at Goodison Park as they became the first non-UK country to beat England on home soil. Carey was one of a small number of players to play internationally for both Ireland teams (north and south) and on one occasion played for both countries within a space of three days. He won 36 international caps in total (29 with the Republic of Ireland).

Known as “Jackie” by his Irish colleagues, team-mates, and friends, Carey started his football career at St. James’s Gate in Dublin before a move to Manchester United as a 17-year-old in 1936. He became the first captain under new manager Matt Busby after World War II, and Carey skippered United to an FA Cup Final win over Blackpool in 1948 and to the League title in 1951/52. He won the Footballer Writers’ Player of the Year award in 1949.

After more than 300 Football League appearances (and over 100 wartime games) for United, Carey retired and went into management with Blackburn Rovers. He took charge of Everton in 1958 until famously being sacked in the back of a London taxi while taking a ride with club chairman John Moores. Carey then managed Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn (again). He never had the same success as a manager as he did as a player, although he took Orient to the top-flight in English football for the only time in their history in 1962. Between 1955-67 Carey dovetailed his club management duties with that as Republic of Ireland manager. Carey retired in 1971 after being sacked by Blackburn.