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Fullname: Arthur F McInally
aka: Arthur McInally
Born: 15 September 1900
Died: […]
Birthplace: Barrhead, East Renfrewshire
Signed: 9 July 1917 (from Croy Celtic)
Left: 1 August 1918 (to to St Mirren)
Position: Centre-half
Debut: Motherwell 3-4 Celtic, League, 15 Dec 1917
Internationals: none
Biog
Arthur McInally was a centre-half and the elder brother of the erratic Celtic genius Tommy McInally (who was adopted by Arthur McInally’s mother).
Signed from Croy Celtic in July 1917 Arthur McInally only made one senior appearance for the Hoops when on December 15th he took to the field late at Motherwell to bolster a Bhoys side which contained only ten men. Only seven players for Celtic were at hand when the teams were near to kick off. So you could argue that Arthur McInally won a place by default.
Celtic still won that league match 4-3, in an exciting game with Celtic winning with the final goal of the game, but Arthur McInally’s first team career at Parkhead was not to progress.
Celtic did have a strong side at the time, monopolising the league title through much of the decade bar the one season (1917-18) which Celtic only lost out on narrowly to Rangers. So sadly, Arthur McInally was to leave Celtic empty-handed in terms of silverware.
After loan spells at Ayr United and Dumbarton Harp he left Celtic and moved to St Mirren in August 1918.
Post-Celtic
His later career proved his ability, and he was to be much respected.
At one time, he was involved in a strange tangle over his transfer between Hamilton Accies & Clyde from Alloa. Arthur McInally was to be banned from football for the best part of a season even though he had broken no rules. Pathetic from the authorities.
It was said that later he was “in a class by himself“, and there were rumours that Celtic were manoeuvring to take him back, but it never happened.
Arthur McInally’s clubs were – St Mungo’s Academy, Barrhead Bellmont, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, St Mirren Juniors, Croy Celtic, Celtic, Ayr United (loan), Dumbarton Harp (loan), St Mirren, Abercorn, Dunfermline Athletic, Armadale, Alloa Athletic, Clyde, Alloa Athletic (2nd spell) and St Bernard’s.
He appears to have retired in 1925, although he remained on St Bernard’s books until 1928. It was around this time that he became a Scottish League (Division Two) referee.
Later, during the mid 1930s, he had a couple of seasons as match secretary (manager) of St Anthony’s, including the 1935/36 season when the club set a British record by playing 88 competitive matches. Interestingly, towards the end of the 1935/36 campaign, as match secretary (manager) Arthur McInally was so short of fit players that he was forced to field a rugby player in one game and a cricketer in another.
He was a schoolmaster when not playing football. He was once punished by the education authorities for playing in a match when he was supposed to be off sick from work – which must have brought a wry smile to the face of brother Tommy as Arthur was supposed to be the sensible & responsible one.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1917-18 | 1 | 0 | n/a | n/a | 1 |
| Goals: | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
none