Jon McCarthy

For other people with similar names, see John McCarthy.

Jon McCarthy
Personal information
Full name Jonathan David McCarthy[1]
Date of birth (1970-08-18) 18 August 1970 (age 54)[1]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Connah's Quay Nomads
(assistant manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1989 Hartlepool United 1 (0)
1989–1990 Shepshed Charterhouse
1990–1995 York City 199 (31)
1995–1997 Port Vale 94 (11)
1997–2002 Birmingham City 124 (8)
2002 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 4 (0)
2002 Port Vale 8 (0)
2002 Doncaster Rovers 1 (0)
2002 York City 1 (0)
2002–2003 Carlisle United 21 (1)
2003–2004 Hucknall Town 34 (6)
2004–2007 Northwich Victoria 95 (1)
Total 582 (58)
International career
1996–1998 Northern Ireland B 2 (0)
1996–2001 Northern Ireland 18 (0)
Managerial career
2016–2017 Chester
2017–2021 Southport (assistant)
2021– Connah's Quay Nomads (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jonathan David McCarthy (born 18 August 1970) is a former professional footballer who is the assistant manager at Cymru Premier club Connah's Quay Nomads.

McCarthy played as a winger and made around 700 appearances in his career, many of which were in the English Football League. Twice a Northern Ireland B international, he went on to win 18 senior caps for Northern Ireland. He began his career at Hartlepool United in 1987 before heading into the non-League scene with Shepshed Charterhouse in 1989. He returned to the professional game the following year after signing a contract with York City. He spent the next five years with the club, helping York to promotion via the play-offs in 1993, and twice being voted Clubman of the Year. In 1995, he joined Port Vale for a £450,000 fee. In his first year at Vale Park, he was awarded the club's Player of the Year award and also played in the Anglo-Italian Cup final.

In 1997, he was sold to Birmingham City for £1.5 million. The highlight of a five-year injury-plagued stay in Birmingham would be a League Cup final appearance in 2001. The next year, he was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday before a return to Port Vale was followed by a brief spell with Doncaster Rovers and a cameo return at York City. Settling with Carlisle United, he left the Football League in 2003 to play for non-League Hucknall Town. Hucknall were crowned Northern Premier League Premier Division champions in 2003–04, and following this success, he won a deal with Northwich Victoria. He helped the club to the Conference North title in 2005–06, before he retired in 2007. He was appointed as first-team coach at Chester in January 2014, and after a brief spell as caretaker, became manager of the club in May 2016, before he was sacked in September 2017. He then joined Southport as assistant manager for four years before being appointed assistant manager at Connah's Quay Nomads in October 2021.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Born in Middlesbrough, McCarthy began his career with Hartlepool United on non-contract terms in November 1987 under manager John Bird, making his first-team debut at the age of 17 by playing the last ten minutes of the last game of the 1987–88 season.[2][3] Bird was sacked later in the year, and his successor, Bobby Moncur, released McCarthy.[3] He had a short spell outside of the professional game after joining Shepshed Charterhouse of the Northern Premier League in March 1989.[4]

York City

[edit]

John Bird persuaded McCarthy to join York City on a part-time contract in March 1990. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Gillingham on 29 September.[2] While still studying at university he signed professional forms with York in March 1991.[5] He was named Clubman of the Year for 1991–92, after which he helped the club to promotion after winning the 1993 Football League Third Division play-off final at the end of 1992–93.[6] York chairman Douglas Craig revealed the club had turned down a £150,000 offer from Bradford City for McCarthy, valuing him at at least three times that amount.[6] Following a 1994–95 season described as "superb", he was named Clubman of the Year a second time.[6] He played for York for five years and developed a reputation as one of the Football League's foremost right-sided wingers.[citation needed]

Port Vale

[edit]

He was bought by John Rudge's Port Vale for a £450,000 fee in August 1995,[6] which at the time was York's record transfer fee received.[7] With McCarthy on the right-wing and Steve Guppy on the left-wing, Rudge played attacking wing-based football.[8] During his spell with Vale, McCarthy earned plaudits for his league performances and his display in the club's FA Cup tie against Everton, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at Vale Park.[9] He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup final, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa.[10] He won the club's Player of the Year award in 1996.[10] He played over 100 games within two seasons at Vale Park before he was snapped up by Birmingham City manager Trevor Francis in September 1997, who paid Vale a £1.5 million fee for him.[11] Vale had offered him a new three-year deal as his current contract was due to expire the following summer, which he had rejected in favour of a move elsewhere.[12]

Birmingham City

[edit]

He helped Birmingham reach the First Division play-offs in 1998–99, where they lost out to Watford after a penalty shoot-out.[9] They again reached the play-offs in 1999–2000. Still, McCarthy missed the semi-final defeat to Barnsley after breaking his leg.[9] After his recovery he played in the 2001 League Cup final defeat against Liverpool.[13] Despite breaking his leg three times within five years as a Birmingham player,[14] he made well over 100 appearances for the club.[15]

He had a one-month loan spell at fellow First Division side Sheffield Wednesday in April 2002.[16][17] Told he had no future at the club by manager and former teammate Steve Bruce, he left Birmingham on a free transfer.[18][19]

Later career

[edit]

In August 2002, McCarthy returned to their previous club, Port Vale, who were now in the Second Division.[20] Two months later he was released by Vale[21] in the midst of a financial crisis[22] and moved on to Doncaster Rovers in the Third Division.[23] On 7 November 2002, he was on the move again, re-joining York on non-contract terms after training with the club.[24] His fourth club in three months was Carlisle United, signing on a one-month contract on 29 November 2002.[25] He remained at Brunton Park for the rest of 2002–03, playing in the 2003 Football League Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium, which ended in a 2–0 defeat to Bristol City despite McCarthy linking up well with Stuart Green and almost providing an assist for Richie Foran.[26] It was in this tournament that he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–0 win over Wrexham.[27] His only other goal for the club came in a 1–0 league win over Southend United.[28] However, after failing to agree terms with the club he was released in May 2003.[29]

In the 2003–04 season, he teamed up with Steve Burr at Hucknall Town, helping them win the Northern Premier League Premier Division title, making 34 league appearances and scoring six goals.[30] He then followed Burr to Conference National club Northwich Victoria at the start of 2004–05.[31] He helped Northwich win the Conference North title in 2005–06, and therefore promotion back into the Conference National.[4] Despite working as a full-time teacher he still managed to play the majority of Northwich's games until the end of 2006–07,[32] at which point he retired from football.[33]

International career

[edit]

In 1991, McCarthy won a bronze medal as part of the Great Britain football team at the XVI Summer Universiade, commonly known as the "World Student Games", in Sheffield.[34] He was eligible to represent Northern Ireland on the international stage through parentage, making his debut against Sweden in 1996 while with Port Vale.[6][35] He earned 18 caps for Northern Ireland from 1996 to 2001.[35] He was capped twice by the Northern Ireland B team, in 1996 and 1998.[4]

Style of play

[edit]

Port Vale player and lifelong fan Tom Pope described McCarthy as "a winger that drove at you" with raw pace and a player with good crossing ability.[36] In May 2019, he was voted into the "Ultimate Port Vale XI" by members of the OneValeFan supporter website.[37]

Coaching career

[edit]

In January 2014, he was appointed as first-team coach at Conference Premier club Chester by manager Steve Burr.[38] He took over as caretaker manager with Ian Sharps as assistant after Burr was sacked on 7 April 2016,[39] and after three wins from four matches that ensured Chester's survival in the National League, signed a one-year contract as permanent manager in May.[40] In January 2017, he signed a new 2+1⁄2-year contract.[41] However, after a poor start to the 2017–18 season, with the club picking up just one win from the opening eight league games, he was sacked on 6 September 2017.[42]

McCarthy returned to their former club, Port Vale, in November 2017, working as the new manager Neil Aspin's fitness coach.[43] Aspin was a former teammate at Port Vale, but said "It is not a case of jobs for the boys, it is because Jon is well qualified for the job that I want him to do, to deal with the fitness of the players and also to be another coach".[11] However, he left the following month to take up a new post at Southport as assistant manager to Kevin Davies.[44] He was retained at Southport after Liam Watson replaced Davies as manager in May 2018.[45] He joined Cymru Premier champions Connah's Quay Nomads as assistant to manager Craig Harrison in October 2021.[46]

Personal life

[edit]

After retiring, McCarthy started working for BBC Radio Stoke as a match day reporter for Port Vale in August 2007.[47] He then moved on to Birmingham Radio Station BRMB and Gold as a commentator on Birmingham City matches.[48]

During his early years with York City, he attained a degree in sports science from Nottingham Polytechnic.[3][9] After retiring, he used that degree to take up lecturing at Mid Cheshire College.[9] He is also a qualified UEFA A licence coach.[49]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hartlepool United 1987–88[50] Fourth Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
York City 1990–91[51] Fourth Division 27 2 3 0 0 0 1[a] 1 31 3
1991–92[52] Fourth Division 42 6 3 1 2 1 2[a] 1 49 9
1992–93[53] Third Division 42 7 1 0 2 0 5[b] 0 50 7
1993–94[54] Second Division 44 7 2 1 2 0 5[c] 1 53 9
1994–95[55] Second Division 44 9 2 1 2 0 2[d] 0 50 10
Total 199 31 11 3 8 1 15 3 233 38
Port Vale 1995–96[56] First Division 45 7 6 1 2 0 8[e] 2 61 10
1996–97[57] First Division 45 4 1 0 6 2 — 52 6
1997–98[58] First Division 4 0 — 2 0 — 6 0
Total 94 11 7 1 10 2 8 2 119 16
Birmingham City 1997–98[58][59] First Division 41 4 3 0 — — 44 4
1998–99[60] First Division 43 0 1 0 5 0 2[f] 0 51 0
1999–2000[61] First Division 21 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 25 4
2000–01[62] First Division 15 0 0 0 1 0 2[f] 0 18 0
2001–02[63] First Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Total 124 8 4 0 10 0 4 0 142 8
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2001–02[63] First Division 4 0 — — — 4 0
Port Vale 2002–03[64] Second Division 8 0 — 1 0 — 9 0
Doncaster Rovers 2002–03[64] Conference 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
York City 2002–03[64] Third Division 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Carlisle United 2002–03[64] Third Division 21 1 2 0 — 4[d] 1 27 2
Hucknall Town 2003–04[30] NPL Premier Division 34 6 — 34 6
Northwich Victoria 2004–05[65] Conference National 35 0 1 0 — 0 0 36 0
2005–06[66] Conference North 32 1 4 0 — 3[g] 0 39 1
2006–07[67] Conference National 28 0 1 0 — 4[g] 0 33 0
Total 95 1 6 0 — 7 0 108 1
Career total 582 58 30 4 29 3 38 6 679 71
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Associate Members Cup
  2. ^ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, three in Third Division play-offs
  3. ^ Two appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, three in Second Division play-offs
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in Anglo-Italian Cup
  6. ^ a b Appearances in First Division play-offs
  7. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Northern Ireland[35] 1996 1 0
1997 4 0
1998 4 0
1999 7 0
2001 2 0
Total 18 0

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of matches played 2 September 2017
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Chester 7 April 2016 6 September 2017 62 19 15 28 030.6 [39][68]
Total 62 19 15 28 030.6 —

Honours

[edit]

York City

Port Vale

Birmingham City

Carlisle United

Hucknall Town

Northwich Victoria

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-85291-651-0.
  2. ^ a b c Windross, Dave; Jarred, Martin (1997). Citizens and Minstermen: A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Selby: Citizen Publications. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-9531005-0-7.
  3. ^ a b c "Super Jon McCarthy". aleandthevale.podbean.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Jon McCarthy". NIFG. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. ^ Windross; Jarred. Citizens and Minstermen: A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. pp. 64–65.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Windross; Jarred. Citizens and Minstermen: A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. p. 65.
  7. ^ "Red raiders net Greening". York Evening Press. 24 March 1998. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. ^ Baggaley, Michael (6 April 2020). "Is this the best Port Vale select team of last 50 years? Have your say". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Jon McCarthy". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009.
  10. ^ a b Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Stafford: Witan Books. p. 190. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  11. ^ a b "Jon McCarthy: Port Vale add ex-Chester manager to backroom team". BBC Sport. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  12. ^ Baggaley, Mike (12 November 2023). "Old failings return as Port Vale are held at Lincoln City". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Blues shot down as Liverpool lift cup". BBC Sport. 25 February 2001. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  14. ^ "McCarthy suffers third leg break". BBC Sport. 18 May 2001. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  15. ^ Jon McCarthy at Soccerbase
  16. ^ "Owls' double swoop". BBC Sport. 28 March 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  17. ^ "Owls release nine players". BBC Sport. 23 April 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  18. ^ "McCarthy released by Bruce". BBC Sport. 3 April 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Birmingham release trio". BBC Sport. 21 May 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Jon McCarthy – League appearances – Birmingham City FC". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Vale release McCarthy". BBC Sport. 1 October 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  22. ^ "Clubs in crisis". BBC Inside-Out. 21 October 2002. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  23. ^ Oliver, Pete (9 October 2002). "McCarthy joins Doncaster". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Mac's contract thriller". York Evening Press. 7 November 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  25. ^ Stanford, Dave (29 November 2002). "Macca's anguish at return". York Evening Press. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  26. ^ a b "Bristol City sink Carlisle". BBC Sport. 6 April 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Carlisle 2–0 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 10 December 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  28. ^ "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  29. ^ "McCarthy leaves Carlisle". BBC Sport. 15 May 2003. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  30. ^ a b "Player Details: Season 2003–2004: Jon McCarthy". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  31. ^ Oliver, Pete (11 August 2004). "Burr mounts double raid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  32. ^ Oliver, Pete (7 February 2007). "McCarthy's juggling act". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  33. ^ "Jon McCarthy's Thoughts". BBC Stoke & Staffordshire. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  34. ^ Batters, Dave (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  35. ^ a b c "McCarthy, Jon". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  36. ^ Pope, Tom (28 July 2017). "We're are almost ready for big kick off says Port Vale star". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  37. ^ Fielding, Rob (26 May 2019). "This is the OVF viewers all-time Port Vale XI". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  38. ^ Green, Jim (21 January 2014). "Match report: Woking 0 Chester FC 1". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  39. ^ a b Green, Jim (7 April 2016). "Chester FC: Steve Burr sacked as manager". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  40. ^ Powell, Dave (7 May 2016). "Chester FC: Jon McCarthy named new Blues boss". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  41. ^ "Jon McCarthy: Chester manager agrees new contract". BBC Sport. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  42. ^ "Jon McCarthy: Chester sack manager after one win in eight games". BBC Sport. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  43. ^ Baggaley, Michael (16 November 2017). "Port Vale legend Jon McCarthy joins Neil Aspin's backroom team". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  44. ^ Baggaley, Michael (22 December 2017). "Jon McCarthy leaves Port Vale to become assistant boss at Southport". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  45. ^ "Liam Watson Returns As Southport FC Manager". Southport Football Club. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  46. ^ Mesney, Nik (2 October 2021). "McCarthy appointed as Harrison's new Assistant". Connah's Quay Nomads FC. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  47. ^ "Jon McCarthy's Thoughts". BBC Stoke & Staffordshire. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  48. ^ Tattum, Colin (6 January 2009). "Jon McCarthy: Birmingham City squad is good enough". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  49. ^ Green, Jim (14 April 2016). "Chester FC: Jon McCarthy confirms desire to become manager". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  50. ^ Rollin, Jack, ed. (1988). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. pp. 184–185, 446–448, 460–464, 477–481. ISBN 978-0-356-15880-8.
  51. ^ Batters, David (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 376–377, 414–415. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  52. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 378–379, 414–415.
  53. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 380–381, 414–415.
  54. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 382–383, 414–415.
  55. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 384–385, 416–417.
  56. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1996). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 280–281, 573–575, 584–586, 602–606. ISBN 978-0-7472-7781-1.
  57. ^ "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  58. ^ a b "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  59. ^ McCarthy's Soccerbase page omits his appearance in Birmingham's match against Nottingham Forest on 15 November 1997.
    Culley, Jon (17 November 1997). "Football: Bassett gives Francis vote of confidence". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  60. ^ "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  61. ^ "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  63. ^ a b "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  64. ^ a b c d "Games played by Jon McCarthy in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  65. ^ "Jon McCarthy season details 2004/2005". Doncaster Rovers Mad. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  66. ^ "Player Details: Season 2005–2006: Jon McCarthy". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
    "Jon McCarthy season details 2005/2006". Doncaster Rovers Mad. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  67. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2007). Non-League Club Directory 2008. Kingsbridge: Tony Williams Publications. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-869833-57-2.
  68. ^ "Managers: Jon McCarthy". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  69. ^ Sewell, Albert, ed. (1996). News of the World Football Annual 1996–97. London: Invincible Press. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-00-218737-4.
[edit]
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