2 weeks Ago
Former Blackburn Rovers, Bradford (Park Avenue) and Republic of Ireland international half-back Mick McGrath has died aged 89. Dublin-born McGrath joined Avenue in March 1966 after being released by Rovers, with whom he had made 269 Football League appearances over 12 seasons, helping them get promoted to the First Division in 1958. McGrath came to Bradford on a free transfer, but Avenue agreed to pay him a bonus-on-signing of £1,300.
He became the Avenue’s highest paid player and made an instant impact, scoring in a 5-1 derby win over Bradford City in one of his first games for the club. The 1965-66 season saw Avenue finish in mid-table, but as the Fourth Division’s top scorers with 102 goals, while McGrath was made captain of the club for the 1966-67 season. He received his 21st and penultimate Ireland cap while with Bradford, against West Germany, in April 1966, a game which took place just three months before Franz Beckenbauer and co lost the World Cup final against England at Wembley .
McGrath had already had the honour of playing under the Twin Towers for Blackburn in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves. It was a bitter day for the Ireland international though, who put through his own net in the first half as Rovers lost 3-0. They also had to play most of the game with 10 men after future Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was stretchered off with a fractured leg.
Mick McGrath played in an FA Cup final at Wembley for Blackburn, while also helping them back into the top-flight in 1958 after a decade-long absence. (Image: UGC) Later that same year, McGrath had the distinction of playing for the Football League against the League of Ireland at Dalymount Park in Dublin, the home of top Irish club Bohemian F.C.
At the end of the 1966-67 season, after making 56 league and cup appearances, he was given a free transfer by new boss Jack Rowley. After leaving Avenue became player-manager of Welsh club Bangor City, which was where he won his final cap for Ireland. After hanging up his boots, McGrath made Blackburn his home.
He eventually returned to Ewood Park where he was involved with the youth team, while he also spent over 20 years working for Thwaites Brewery before retiring..
