Johnny Carey was one of United's great captains, the Roy Keane of his day. Amazingly versatile he played in every position except outside right, although his favoured position was in defence. His career from 1937-53 was interrupted by the War, however he still won the 1948 FA Cup and 1952 League title. Playing in International's for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, Carey was one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
He was born in Dublin on 23rd February 1919 and was first spotted whilst playing for local side St James' Gate by United's Dublin scout Billy Behan. At 17 he was brought to Old Trafford by United chief scout Louis Rocca for a modest fee of £250. Initially signed as an inside-left, he was in competition with another famous United player of the time, Stan Pearson, for this position. Supposedly the state of the pitch would often decide who would play.
At the age of 17 he made his debut at Old Trafford against Southampton but his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two. During the War Carey served in the Middle East and in Italy and played as a guest player for various league clubs. In October 1945 he resumed his playing career with Manchester United, where he was switched to the position of full-back.
Carey was one of the outstanding defenders of his time. His innovative defensive play included clever positioning and clean tackling. Throughout a highly successful career, Carey captained United to the FA Cup in 1948 and the League Championship in 1952. Uniquely he played for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, a total of 27 and 9 times respectively. He captained the rest of Europe side which played Britain in 1947, in a fundraising match for UEFA and was voted footballer of the year in 1949.
After making 344 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 17 goals, Carey retired from football in May 1953. He was invited by the United board to a meeting where they conveyed their special thanks to him for his services and offered him a position at the club as a coach. However, in August of the same year he opted to became manager of Blackburn Rovers instead. He also went on to manage Everton, Leyton Orient and Nottingham Forest, before returning to Blackburn for a second spell as manager. Though he died on Feburary 22nd 1995 at the age of 75, Johnny Carey's place in history is secure and he will be fondly remembered for a long time to come as one of the finest players to wear the red of United.
He was born in Dublin on 23rd February 1919 and was first spotted whilst playing for local side St James' Gate by United's Dublin scout Billy Behan. At 17 he was brought to Old Trafford by United chief scout Louis Rocca for a modest fee of £250. Initially signed as an inside-left, he was in competition with another famous United player of the time, Stan Pearson, for this position. Supposedly the state of the pitch would often decide who would play.
At the age of 17 he made his debut at Old Trafford against Southampton but his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two. During the War Carey served in the Middle East and in Italy and played as a guest player for various league clubs. In October 1945 he resumed his playing career with Manchester United, where he was switched to the position of full-back.
Carey was one of the outstanding defenders of his time. His innovative defensive play included clever positioning and clean tackling. Throughout a highly successful career, Carey captained United to the FA Cup in 1948 and the League Championship in 1952. Uniquely he played for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, a total of 27 and 9 times respectively. He captained the rest of Europe side which played Britain in 1947, in a fundraising match for UEFA and was voted footballer of the year in 1949.
After making 344 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 17 goals, Carey retired from football in May 1953. He was invited by the United board to a meeting where they conveyed their special thanks to him for his services and offered him a position at the club as a coach. However, in August of the same year he opted to became manager of Blackburn Rovers instead. He also went on to manage Everton, Leyton Orient and Nottingham Forest, before returning to Blackburn for a second spell as manager. Though he died on Feburary 22nd 1995 at the age of 75, Johnny Carey's place in history is secure and he will be fondly remembered for a long time to come as one of the finest players to wear the red of United.
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