Archie McLean

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Archie McLean (1894-1971) was a mechanic and footballer from Paisley, Scotland. His emigration in 1912 to Sao Paulo, Brazil led to the adoption by the locals of a very fast, short-passing style of play which would later come to characterise Brazilian football.

In Sao Paulo, McLean's football career flourished and he became known, on the pitch, as Veadinho (the little deer). He is now regarded as the father of Brazilian football.

Contents 1 Early career 2 The Scottish Wanderers 3 Later career and death 4 References

[edit] Early career

McLean was a machine mechanic working for J & P Coats, a textile company.

McLean had played for the Ayr team that amalgamated with Parkhouse to form Ayr United, as well as for Galston and Johnstone. With Johnstone he had won the Consolation Cup in 1912.

[edit] The Scottish Wanderers

McLean was transferred to Sao Paolo in 1912. Initially he had planned for only a three-month stay.

Shortly after taking up residence there, McLean founded an ex-pats' football team, the Scottish Wanderers. They played in the local Sao Paulo State League.

McLean's performances caught the attention of the Brazilian public within a year. He was picked for the Sao Paulo state team against Rio de Janeiro.

[edit] Later career and death

McLean's involvement at the highest level of Brazilian football ended in the mid-1920s.

McLean died of throat cancer at 84 years of age.

[edit] References