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John McClelland's league career got off to a shaky start: signed
by Cardiff from Portadown for £8,000, he only played four
games before being released. After a spell with Bangor City he came
back over for a spell with Mansfield and established himself with
three solid seasons in the centre of their defence. Three
successful years north of the border was followed up by a 5 year
stint at Vicarage Road.
Another one of Wilko's signings in the summer of 1989, John
Mclelland provided rock solid cover at the centre of Leeds' defence
for 3 seasons. Previously dogged by persistent leg problems, he
found that a slightly different type of boot cured his problems
halfway through his stint at Leeds and his play improved
considerably and his experience and leadership at the heart of the
defence made a vital contribution to the excellent start that Leeds
had in the Championship season of 1991-92. He returned to Elland
Road since he ended his playing career and is now the regular guide
for parties touring the ground.
John Russell says: Hi John, your favourite nephew here (Only One
I Think). If you read this get in touch. If anyone at Leeds United
reads this, please pass on this message. Look forward to hearing
from you soon.
John McClelland says: Hey man John McClelland is my cousin and
he is an awesome soccer player so tell John I said hi because I
haven't seen him in years. Just tell him John Michael McClelland
said what's up.
Bill Merry says: Went on the Elland Rd tour on sunday the
16-06-02 he was very helpful and an excellent guide. John thanks
for a great time
Tajinder Singh says: Hi, i went on the elland road tour with my
school (matthew Murray). The tour was exellent, I learned alot of
things n didnt know. Thanks John!!!
Susanne Hallworth says: I saw John play many times for Northern
Ireland at Windsor Park and met him quite a few times after the
matches. I used to really fancy him and often wonder how he's
getting along now.
Stu Wilkie says: I saw John play at Cardiff a couple of times
for the senior team and a few times for the youth team. I was also
there when he scored his only goal. A scorcher if memory serves me.
He should have had another not long after in the same match but was
unlucky. Genuinely nice guy and a great footballer. PS he used to
go out with my sister in those days. Cheers for the free match
tickets John
Colin Y says: John, was an excellent servant during his time at
Ibrox, 100% every week and the perfect example to the younger
players who would then go on to become the back bone of the
revolution. True proffesional, he once gave me his club lapel badge
when arriving to play Hearts, (we won 3-0, Sandy Clarke hat-trick).
If you read this, "Aw ra best yer man"
noel,simon,booby barb says: me and my 2 mates went to elland
road on an off chance of getting a look at the ground.after
sneaking in john caught us,but allowed us to have a tour hes a top
guy and deserves a payrise and more recognition! bear in mind we
travelled from btn, he made our day!!!! what a guy.
Paul says: Big John was a great central defender for Rnagers. He
was famed for never getting booked, far less sent off. One time, he
was playing at Ibrox (against Motherwell, I think), and was late in
a tackle. The ref came over, with yellow card raised, and big John
said "You're quite right,ref, I deserve to be booked". What a guy.
If you readt this big chap, aw ra best!
Nicky Rees says: I had the crush of all crushes on John when I
was a teenager and he was always so lovely and sweet to me. Apart
from being the most fantastic footballer - he was one of a kind. I
would sooo love to hear from him and see what he is up to now.
Olga says: I'm from Ukraine, and I'm a fan of Metalurg, the team
that played at Elland Road in Sept 2002 in the UEFA Cup. Later, in
2003 I had the chance to visit the Elland Road and John was our
guide. I was happy to meet a (former) Leeds player even though I
had not seen him play for Leeds. I'm sure he was an excellent
player and I have the best impressions of him as a personality.
Great impressions of a tour and of John! Thank you John!
Steve Cooke says: is Belfast in the glasgow Rangers part of
Scotland
Steve Cooke . Leeds United Scottish Supporters Club says: I have
personally emailed John and pointed him to this webpage, my
personal experiences with John are nothing but good... I remember
him at Tannedice against the Arabs ! and even went along to Perth
to watch his team ! My kids enjoyed an exclusive tour around Mecca
with John, but my camera got stolen that night ! All in all John I
have found to be one of the true gents of football and great to
still see him at the club
David Zieloni says: I was devasted when John left Rangers for
Watford. Unfortunately this was in the pre Souness era when cash
was tight but losing out on big John to Watford hurt. The man was a
true gentleman and exemplified all that is best in Ulstermen; work
ethic, humility and loyalty. I would have loved to have seen him
play alongside Terry Butcher at Ibrox. It would have been an
awesome pairing.
Warren Turfrey says: my lads just played at tingley athletic and
big john mcclelland was coaching a tingley junior team on the other
pitch
dave says: Hi, can anyboby provide me with Big johns e mail
address at leeds?
Michael Greenwood says: I took the tour of the stadium that my
dad used to take me to when I was a lad in the early Seventies -
John was the guide, and did an excellent job. The lady told me it
was scheduled for just over an hour ...well I left Elland Road
about 4 hours later after the extensive tour & after John had
taken me to lunch, shown me the offices and given me some signed
photos to take back to my boys in the USA!!! Outstanding! Needless
to say, I loaded up in the gift shop with loads of LUFC goodies,
including the DVD of Leeds 100 greatest goals,and it does play in
my US DVD machine. Thanks for a superb experience John!! BTW I
still play myself at the age of 43 on team Dynamo in this
league
in
Atlanta Georgia
Dominic says: A couple of years back I went back up to Leeds,
where I used to live with my family. On returning I decided to
treat my brother by taking the Elland Road tour, I had done it
about 7 years ago when I knew players such as Dorigo and
Fairclough. On arriving the lady at the desk said there were no
more tours, as it was some kids birthday. We said we just wanted to
have a quick look around the stadium. John came down and said yes,
that my brother and I could go with this kids birthday tour. In the
end, fantastic time. I actually used to see him play even though I
couldnt remember him. He was the type of player that was so good
and reliable (nothing flashy) that you wouldnt rememeber if he was
on the pitch.
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