John McGuire

Who is John McGuire?

John McGuire was an English professional footballer who for four different Football League clubs. Primarily a centre forward, he could also play as an inside forward and was occasionally used at left-half. Born in Darlington, County Durham, he began his career in non-League football with Northern Football League side Darlington Railway Athletic. He later had a spell with Cockfield before joining Football League Third Division South club Charlton Athletic in August 1925. In his first season with the London club he made six league appearances as the team finished 21st in the division and were forced to apply for re-election.

McGuire moved to the Third Division North in November 1926 when he signed for Wigan Borough. In what was to be the most prolific goalscoring period of his career, he netted 13 goals in 33 league matches for the Springfield Park club in a 13-month spell. Four months into the 1927–28 season, McGuire transferred to struggling Nelson on a free transfer. He made his debut for Nelson in the 1–5 defeat to Ashington at Seedhill on 3 December 1927. The following game, he scored his first goal for his new side in the 2–4 away loss at his former club Wigan Borough.