90 seconds with Frank ‘Macca’ McAvennie

Frank McAvennie is a former Scottish international footballer who enjoyed a successful and well-travelled career in the game. Born on February 22, 1959, in Glasgow, Scotland, McAvennie is best known for his time as a striker playing for various clubs in the 1980s and 1990s. His career began at St. Mirren, where he quickly gained recognition for his goal-scoring abilities. He then moved south of the border to join West Ham United for a £340k transfer fee before returning to his home city to play for his boyhood team, Glasgow Celtic in a record £750k transfer deal. He returned to Upton Park two years later in a £1.25m deal.

One of the most memorable periods of McAvennie’s career was during his time at West Ham United in the mid-1980s. He formed a prolific partnership with fellow striker Tony Cottee, helping the club secure a third-place finish in the First Division during the 1985-1986 season. McAvennie’s ability to find the back of the net and his charismatic personality endeared him to fans, and he remains an iconic figure in West Ham’s and Celtic’s history.

90 seconds, 11 Q&A with Frank McAvennie:-

1) Childhood team growing up? Easy one that, Celtic FC.
2) First pair of football boots owned? A pair of Stylos. I couldn’t afford any of the top brands.
3) Did you have a nickname in the dressing room and how did you get it? Macca, for obvious reasons! There was another but it is not in the public’s interest!
4) Favourite teammate? At St Mirren it was Tony Fitzpatrick and Frank McDougall. At Celtic is was Joe Miller and at West Ham it was Ray Stewart. All great guys.
5) Toughest opponent? I talk about this on my ‘Ask Macca’ page, it was Terry Butcher and Alan Hansen both for different reasons. There was also an Italian defender who played for Sampdoria in the early nineties, but I can’t remember his name.
6) Which player do you wish you’d had the chance to play with? Carlos Tevez, again I talk about him on the website, what a player. When I was younger it was my dream to play with Charlie Nicholas and Kenny Dalglish and I managed to play with both.
7) Favourite football shirt you’ve played in? Celtic’s Centenary strip, love it.
8) Best stadium for atmosphere? Celtic Park on European nights was special and Upton Park with every game I played, was special, you could hear the crowd breathe, they were so close.
9) Biggest influence on your career? There are a few. Ricky McFarlane was my first manager at St Mirren and he was brilliant, Big Billy McNeil at Celtic, John Lyle at West Ham, and most of all my Dad.
10) Most prized possessions from your playing days? My League and Cup winner medals at Celtic and all the great memories I had playing, you can’t touch them but they are there.
11) What keeps you busy these days? I still do after dinner speaking to make the occasional coin. I play as much golf as I can and follow both Celtic and West Ham as much as possible. I’m also working hard to build my website’s footfall. Take a peek at here and feel free to ask me any questions.