Frank McAvoy

Francis McAvoy (born 16 November 1875 in Ayr, deceased) was a Scottish professional footballer who made 44 appearances in the Football League for Woolwich Arsenal. He also played for Scottish Football League club Ayr at the start and end of his career,[1] and for Southern League clubs Brighton United, Gravesend United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford. He played as a left half or outside left.[2] McAvoy played 69 games in all competitions, scoring once, for Brighton United,[3] and was Brighton & Hove Albion's captain[4] and top scorer in the club's first season, 1901–02, with nine goals in all competitions.[5] At Watford he played 24 competitive matches, scoring twice.[6]

Frank McAvoy
Personal information
Full name Francis McAvoy
Date of birth (1875-11-16)16 November 1875
Place of birth Ayr, Scotland
Position(s)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Ayr
1895–1898 Woolwich Arsenal 44 (8)
1898–1900 Brighton United
1900–1901 Gravesend United
1901–1902 Brighton & Hove Albion 11 (6)
1902–1903 Watford 23 (2)
1903–1904 Ayr 10 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Controversy

In December 1901 McAvoy had a confrontation with Brighton & Hove Albion's manager, John Jackson which didn't calm down. This culminated in McAvoy assaulting Jackson and knocking him to the ground the following February. McAvoy was sacked from the club as a result. In August, McAvoy, along with fellow former player, Clem Barker, went to the Farm Tavern (which Jackson ran) looking for him. He was away and the pair told his wife; "We are going to the station to meet your husband, and you must consider yourself lucky if he is brought home alive!". They were found guilty of threatening behaviour and bound to keep the peace for 6 months.[7]

References
  1. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 163. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  3. Carder, Tim & Harris, Roger (1997). Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Hove: Goldstone Books. p. 329. ISBN 0-9521337-1-7.
  4. Carder & Harris, Albion A–Z, p. 150.
  5. Carder & Harris, Albion A–Z, p. 338.
  6. Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 152. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  7. ISBN 0-9532045-0-2 Paul Camillin & Stewart Weir. "Albion: The First 100 Years". Brighton. Sports Pavilion. 2001


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