John McKenna

Who was John McKenna?

John McKenna, was an Irish businessman, rugby player and the first manager of Liverpool Football Club. McKenna was born in the parish of Donagh, County Monaghan to Patrick McKenna and Jane McCrudden and moved to Liverpool in the 1870s in search of work.

McKenna found employment first as a grocer’s boy before taking the role as a vaccinations officer for the West Derby Union, the union was responsible for the upkeep of the Liverpool workhouses at the time. McKenna also had a keen interest in sport, in particular rugby and shooting. McKenna was the leading figure in the formation of a regimental rugby club and also became involved with the West Lancashire Rugby Union but it was through his religious beliefs and politics that he would meet John Houlding, and McKenna’s love of Association football would surface when Houlding invited him to Anfield to watch his Everton team in action.

He remained with Houlding after Everton left Anfield for Goodison Park. 'Honest' John was one of the greatest driving forces for Liverpool throughout the early years. McKenna used his connections to fish for players in Glasgow, including Duncan McLean, James McBride, Malcolm McVean, Hugh McQueen, Matt McQueen, John McCartney, Bill McOwen and Joe McQue, this team was known as the "Team of Macs" due to the number of players with "Mc" in their surname.