Mick McGrath RIP

[Tugayisgod]

Sad news. Although to young to have seen Mick McGrath on the field, I've been told many times what a fine player he was , playing alongside the likes of Duggie and Ronnie Clayton.

RIP

 

[because of boxing day]

Mick was an outstandingly pleasant chap. First memories of him were when he was the visiting Rovers player with us at Mill Hill St Peters Junior School football practice sessions in 65/66. His forte even in those days was "The Crossbar Challenge"... an unerring left foot!!

Met him on a few occasions subsequently and he was always a total gent.

[...]

Rest In Peace Mick 🔵 ⚪️ 🌹 

Once a Rover, always a Rover x

 

[arbitro]

Condolences to Mick's family and friends.

Hopefully his passing is respectfully remembered by the club next Saturday.

[Claytons Left Boot]

Unfortunately, I never saw him play as I started going in the 1966-67 season, shortly after he had moved to Bradford Park Avenue.

I did, however, have the privilege of meeting him at a function a couple of years ago. Had a good chat with Mick and his wife, originally a Darrener. A really nice couple and family.

RIP Mick and condolences to family and friends.

 

[Parsonblue]

Really sad news.  A great favourite of mine as a kid.  He always had time to stop and sign autographs to the kids outside the players entrance both before and after games.  That half-back line of Clayton, Woods and McGrath picked itself year in and year out.  He was a tough tackling half-back who combined his ball winning skills with a shrewd positional sense - one of those players who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.  

He didn't score many goals but they were often important ones - the equaliser at Burnley in that classic F.A. Cup-tie on the road to the 1960 Final.  An Irish international and one of football's true gentlemen.  RIP Mick.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Mick was a top class defensive midfield player. Mr Consistency, he was always a 7/10 performer who rarely had a bad game. He wasn’t a flashy player but he was a good tackler who distributed the ball well.    He was a good partner to Ronnie in the centre of the pitch. He didn’t score many but I I remember him opening the scoring with a belter in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford and he also scored in the game against West Brom when Dougie scored that goal of a lifetime. Tronstad reminds me a lot of Mick in his style of play.

Thanks for the memories Mick, you were a good ‘un.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Parsonblue said:

Really sad news.  A great favourite of mine as a kid.  He always had time to stop and sign autographs to the kids outside the players entrance both before and after games.  That half-back line of Clayton, Woods and McGrath picked itself year in and year out.  He was a tough tackling half-back who combined his ball winning skills with a shrewd positional sense - one of those players who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.  

He didn't score many goals but they were often important ones - the equaliser at Burnley in that classic F.A. Cup-tie on the road to the 1960 Final.  An Irish international and one of football's true gentlemen.  RIP Mick.

Didn’t he also score a last gasp equaliser against Blackpool earlier in that cup run before we then won the replay

Edited Sunday at 20:31 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Forever Blue]

My old man’s got Dementia and can’t remember much but he still lights up when I get out the Jackman’s and he can wax lyrical about the games of yesteryear. Mick McGrath was certainly a favourite of his. 

Every generation has their hero’s.

RIP Mick

[den]

I was very fortunate to see that half back line of Clayton, Woods (then England) and McGrath.

It was an absolute privilege to watch all of them. 
 

RIP Mick.

[jim mk2]

Farewell and thank you for the memories Mick McGrath, an old-fashioned left half and key member of the Rovers team of 1962-64, the best I ever saw to wear the famous blue and while halves. Like Den said, it was a privilege to watch that team

RIP. 

[windymiller7]

Too young to have ever seen him play myself, but my dad always speaks very highly of him. That's good enough for me!

RIP Mick.

[philipl]

sadly I never saw him play but never heard a bad word about him. RIP

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

There’s a great tribute to Mick in the contents section in case anybody has missed it.
 

I’ve just remembered that Mick has the record of being the first Rovers player ever to be substituted off. He was replaced at half time by John Byrom in a game at Old Trafford in the relegation season of 1965-66. We’d gone there trying to “ park the bus” and played Mick as an extra midfield player. Once we went behind we needed more fire power so Mick went off. Sadly that was his last first team game for the Rovers.

[47er]

Season 1963-4, up to (and including Christmas Day!) was the best time to be a Rovers supporter I ever had!

We scored for fun. Then, as usual the admin sold the best striker in the English game at the time and the season dribbled away.

We really have had more than our share of needless suffering.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 minutes ago, 47er said:

Season 1963-4, up to (and including Christmas Day!) was the best time to be a Rovers supporter I ever had!

We scored for fun. Then, as usual the admin sold the best striker in the English game at the time and the season dribbled away.

We really have had more than our share of needless suffering.

I was told Big Fred would have stayed for another tenner a week ! As you say, the best Rovers team I ever saw.

Edited yesterday at 11:27 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[den]

40 minutes ago, 47er said:

Season 1963-4, up to (and including Christmas Day!) was the best time to be a Rovers supporter I ever had!

We scored for fun. Then, as usual the admin sold the best striker in the English game at the time and the season dribbled away.

We really have had more than our share of needless suffering.

Best time for me too.

Else

Bray

Newton

Clayton

England

McGrath

THEN THIS FORWARD LINE….

Ferguson

McEvoy

Pickering

Douglas

Harrison. 
 

Fabulous team.

[Herbie6590]

https://www.brfcs.com/articles/mick-mc-grath

[bazza]

16 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Mick was a top class defensive midfield player. Tronstad reminds me a lot of Mick in his style of play.

Thanks for the memories Mick, you were a good ‘un.

Funny you should mention Tronstad. I was just thinking the same thing.

RIP Mick.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, bazza said:

Funny you should mention Tronstad. I was just thinking the same thing.

RIP Mick.

They’re very similar in style and demeanour.  The goal I mentioned early that Mick scored at Old Trafford was very similar to Tronstad’s second effort on Saturday. I was stood at 90 degrees to the goals in line with the penalty spot. When Mick let fly I was expecting to see the ball fly past the post. Then it walloped into the stanchion at the back of the net.

Edited yesterday at 14:06 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[den]

21 hours ago, den said:

I was very fortunate to see that half back line of Clayton, Woods (then England) and McGrath.

It was an absolute privilege to watch all of them. 
 

RIP Mick.

Edited yesterday at 19:58 by den

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Peter Dobing, Matt Woods, Ken Taylor ?, Ronnie Clayton, Mick.

[den]

I think so

[bazza]

Oh it's Ken Taylor, is it? Had me fooled.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

26 minutes ago, bazza said:

Oh it's Ken Taylor, is it? Had me fooled.

Just a guess but I think so.