Brian McClair

Brian John McClair (born December 8 1963) in Bellshill, Scotland) is a former Scottish international soccer player, notable for his near eleven-year spell at Manchester United F.C., as well as important tenures at Scottish clubs Celtic F.C. and Motherwell F.C.. During his period at Manchester United, he was nicknamed "Choccy", as his last name rhymed with the delicacy "Chocolate Eclair".

Related Topics:
December 8 - 1963 - Bellshill - Scotland - Manchester United F.C. - Celtic F.C. - Motherwell F.C.

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His first team was Aston Villa F.C., who he joined as a junior at the beginning of season 1980-1981, making little impact. A free transfer to Motherwell, for whom he scored 15 league goals, stood him in good stead when, for a fee of 100,000 pounds, he moved to Celtic in 1983. His main spell, however, was at Manchester United, whom he joined in 1987 for a fee of 850,000 Pounds, where he made 296 (and added 59 as a substitute) league appearances, 38(7) FA Cup Appearances, 44(1) in the League Cup and 17 (6) appearances in European Competitions,scoring 126 goals in all competitions.

Related Topics:
Aston Villa F.C. - 1980 - 1981 - 1983

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In his first season for Manchester United he scored 24 league goals, becoming the first Manchester United player to surpass 20 league goals in one season since George Best in 1968.

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He won 30 Caps for his native Scotland, and scored two goals. He also represented his country during the 1992 European Championships.

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His honours with Manchester United are as follows:

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• the FA Cup in 1990,1994 and 1996,
• the League Cup in 1992,
• the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1991, and
• the Premier League in 1993,1994,1996 and 1997.

In the 1992 League Cup final he scored the solitary goal against Nottingham Forest, and scored another cup final goal in the 1994 FA Cup final, this time against Chelsea when Manchester United won 4-0.

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He spent the last six months of his career back at Motherwell, before retiring in 1998.

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He went into coaching after retiring, first at Motherwell, before returning to England to assist former Manchester United Assistant Manager Brian Kidd (who had then just been appointed as manager for Blackburn Rovers). It didn't work out, and when Rovers were relegated he was eventually sacked.

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In 2001 he was appointed as Reserve Team manager, and promptly won the Reserve League in his first season as coach.In his second season, he was in charge of the Under-19 team which clinched the 2003 FA Youth Cup.Some players from that team, like David Jones, Chris Eagles and Kieran Richardson have gone on to make appearances in the first team. Kieran Richardson recently bagged two goals on his England debut, in a friendly against the United States.

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At the end of the 2004/2005 season the first team finished trophyless, but the Reserve Teams headed by him and Assistant Manager Ricky Sbragia won an unprecedented quadruple of the Pontins' Holidays League, the FA Premier Reserve League, The Pontins' Holidays League Cup and the Premier Reserve League Playoff. Their quest for an unprecedented five trophies was thwarted when they lost to Manchester City in the Manchester Senior Cup.

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Following changes to the youth academy structure, Brian McClair will take on the role as Academy Director come the 2005/2006 season.

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