Biography
Versatile Irish forward Daniel McKinney joined the Tigers in October 1920 as manager David Menzies constructed a squad to challenge in the upper reaches of Division Two following the ravages of World War One. McKinney was introduced at outside right and scored his first City goal in late October 1920, in a 1-1 draw at newly-formed Leeds United. Tynesider and future England international Jackie Crawford was restored to the City wing in early December 1920 and McKinney didn’t return to the first team until early January 1921 when he was used at centre forward and started in the Tigers’ famous 3-0 FA Cup win over Division One giants Burnley. He scored League goals against Coventry City and Stoke but dropped out of the first XI again in April 1921 to be replaced by Paddy Mills.
Percy Lewis took over from Menzies for the 1921/22 season and for several months McKinney was used as a makeshift reserve forward. He returned to first team action in February 1922, celebrating with the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at West Ham United and a hattrick in a 5-2 drubbing of Leicester City. He scored another four goals in five starts during April 1922 as Lewis guided City to fifth place in the Division Two table. McKinney started 1922/23 season as first choice inside right but his goals dried up and he dropped out of the side at the end of October. He remained a peripheral figure for the rest of the season, apart from a six game run of starts in April 1923 that yielded no goals. Daniel left the Tigers in the 1923 close season.
Daniel McKinney was born in Belfast and was signed to Irish League side Belfast Celtic at the age of 16. McKinney played for Celtic when they finished Irish Cup runners-up in 1917 and won the trophy in 1918 in a second replay after two goalless draws against Linfield. When the Irish League resumed in 1919/20 after World War 1 Belfast Celtic lifted the title with McKinney a regular starter, showing form that saw him chosen for two Irish League representative matches against their Scottish equivalents and attracting the attention of Hull City.
McKinney joined Division Two side Bradford City in July 1923 and in his one season at Valley Parade he played predominantly at outside right and scored one goal in 32 starts. In October 1924 he joined Division Three South side Norwich City and scored four goals in 52 first team appearances for the Canaries before dropping out of the first team in February 1926 due to an injury sustained against Northampton Town – an injury that drew an end to his playing career in England. He spent a final season at Irish side Bangor before retirement, playing in the same League as his brothers Jack and Malachy. He lived in Belfast for the rest of his days and died in February 1956.
McKinney won two full international caps for Ireland. The first came in a February 1921 0-2 British Championship defeat to Scotland when he was City’s first choice centre forward (he missed a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday to play for Ireland). His second cap came in March 1924, also a 0-2 defeat to Scotland, while he was at Bradford City.
Details
Nationality: Ireland
Date/Place of Birth: 9 November 1898, Belfast
Hull City First Game: 9 October 1920, Rotherham County H (Division Two), 21 years, 335 days old
Hull City Final Game: 5 May 1923, Coventry City A (Division Two), 24 years, 177 days old
Clubs
Belfast Celtic (1915-1920), Hull City (1920-1923), Bradford City (1923-1924), Norwich City (1924-1926), Bangor (1926-1927)
Hull City Record
Career: 60 apps, 12 goals
Daniel McKinneySeason | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1920/21 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
1921/22 | 15 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
1922/23 | 21 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |