John McGrane
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John McGrane was born in Scotland and the family moved to Canada when he was 12 years old where he grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. He is a former professional soccer player. He played nine North American Soccer League seasons and 17 times for the Canadian national soccer team in 'A' internationals. He also played in the Montreal Olympics.
A winger in the early part of his career Mcgrane was soon converted to defender as he played 1977 through 1981 with the Los Angeles Aztecs. He played 1982 and '83 with the Montreal Manic, '84 with the Chicago Sting. He also played his final two seasons of the NASL with the Minnesota Strikers.
McGrane played collegiately at Simon Fraser University where he received NAIA All-American honors and NAIA Mvp honors in his Freshman year. He started both of Canada's 1976 Montreal Olympics games at forward as the team suffered two loses.
McGrane was coach of the expansionKitchener Spirit of the Canadian Soccer League in their inaugural season of 1990. For two seasons he then was head coach and General Manager of the CSL's Hamilton Steelers of the Canadian Soccer League. Upon retiring from professional soccer McGrane established two companies called SOCCERWORLD SYSTEMS and SoccerWorld Hamilton which owns, builds, and manages indoor soccer facilities in North America and Europe. Raised in the United Kingdom until 1966, where his Scottish father John McGrane Sr. played professional soccer, McGrane played youth soccer in Hamilton, Ontario where he was spotted by then Simon Fraser coach John Buchanan.He is married to Brenda with four children Hollyn, John, Kerri and Wes.
On Saturday April 26, 2008, John was inducted into the Canada's Soccer Hall-of-Fame in Vaughn, Ontario - not only for his service to Canada's national teams and as a pro player but as well for his support of Canadian soccer post-career. He also has a book planned and a foundation in place for new Canadians. His service to soccer in Canada covered 30 years. He is currently the CEO of Soccer World Systems, a chain of indoor soccer facilities.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Kernaghan, John. "From Hamilton to the Hall", The Hamilton Spectator, 2008-04-27. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
