RIP Ian McKinlay

Southport supporters going back to the Billy Bingham era will be saddened to learn of the death of Ian McKinlay. He passed away on 28th August, aged 75. Ian shot into prominence when he became the second youngest player ever to start a Football League match at just 17 years and 109 days.

Ian applied to the club for a trial, and such was the impression he made that after only three Lancashire Combination appearances was signed as a full-time professional on 30th August 1966.

Ian Joseph McKinlay was born in Huyton on 21st June 1949. He represented Huyton and Lancashire schoolboys and aged fourteen trained with Manchester United during his school holidays. He joined Wrexham’s ground staff at fifteen and was selected for an England Youth International trial whilst at the Racecourse whilst playing in their Welsh League and Reserve teams.

After Southport lost three consecutive League games in September, Billy Bingham pitchforked Ian into Southport’s League team against Luton Town – a game they won 4-1. Two days later he scored a goal with a fine left footed drive in another 4-1 win over Barrow. Critics acclaimed him as a “Boy Wonder”. Showing outstanding promise, he retained his place for the next seven League matches but injured knee ligaments in an FA Cup First Round defeat at Barnsley. He was initially replaced by Johnny Price and following the signing of Stuart Shaw was unable to get his place back in the side. During the 1966-67 season Southport gained promotion to the Third Division with Ian making 28 Reserve team appearances and scoring three goals adding to his nine Football League appearances.

Ian spent most of 1967-68 season in the Reserves making just two further League appearances and one as substitute towards the end of the campaign. On being freed by Southport he joined Wigan Athletic who had become founder members of the Northern Premier League but was badly injured in a Reserve game against Bacup Borough which necessitated a cartilage operation and ended his fledgling career whilst still a teenager.

Had he been physically stronger – he was 5ft 7 inches tall and weighed 10st. 4lbs. during his time at Haig Avenue – he might have realised his precocious talent and gone a long way in the game. After his football career was over Ian worked as a forklift truck driver. Following retirement, he took up golf playing every Tuesday right up until the day before he passed away.

Ian died at Aintree Hospital surrounded by his devoted family. Happily married to Susan, he was widowed in 2005. Since 2012 he had been in a loving relationship with his partner, Winnie. Everyone connected with Southport Football Club send their sincere condolences to Ian’s daughters Louise and Laura and grandchildren Louis, Macey, Milly, and Annabelle. His funeral will take place on Thursday, 19th September at St. Chads Church, Kirkby at 1.30pm followed by a cremation at St Helens Crematorium.

Michael Braham