345 Frank McGorrighan

Biography

Francis Owen McGorrighan was born at Easington, a coastal town at the heart of the East Durham Coalfield. His football development was hampered by World War Two but he represented his local colliery side during the war years. In April 1944 he accepted a professional contract at Middlesbrough to play wartime fixtures during the 1944/45 season. Frank spent 1945/46 season at Carlisle United and back at Easington Colliery.

McGorrighan signed for Hull City in August 1946 in readiness for the club’s return to Football League action after World War Two – a £10 fee secured his services. He played mostly at inside right in a creative role – he contributed only one goal during 1946/47, securing a September 2-2 draw against York City. In February 1947 City manager Major Frank Buckley was talking up McGorrighan’s prospects as he was placed on the transfer list, and within a week Blackburn Rovers, who had been impressed by Frank’s form during two FA Cup ties a month earlier, paid £6,000 for his signature – at the time a record fee paid to the Tigers, surpassing the £5,000 that Sunderland paid for Scottish international defender Mike Gilhooley in 1922.

McGorrighan started four matches for Blackburn after his transfer but was dropped from the first team by the end of March. After starting the first Division One fixture of 1947/48 he was again dropped into the Blackburn reserves. In September 1947 he returned to Hull City and immediately played in a friendly match against Sparta Rotterdam. After a month recuperating from injury he returned to first team action in November 1947, but was used sparingly by Buckley over the next four months. At start of April 1948 City had signed inside right Raich Carter, Buckley had been relieved of his duties and McGorrighan was surplus to requirements.

Frank joined Southport in July 1948 but after only six months with the Sandgrounders in which he made only four first team starts, his contract was terminated at his own request. After a spell out of the game Frank joined Scarborough in the 1950 close season, a further move to Wisbech Town in 1952 was to prove the last of his playing career. McGorrighan returned to Hull, which is where he died in September 1998.

Details

Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 20 November 1921, Easington
Hull City First Game: 31 August 1946, Lincoln City H (Division Three North), 24 years, 284 days old
Hull City Final Game: 17 March 1948, Chester A (Division Three North), 26 years, 118 days old

Clubs

Easington Colliery, Middlesbrough (1944-1945), Carlisle United (1945-1946), Easington Colliery (1946), Hull City (1946-1947), Blackburn Rovers (1947), Hull City (1947-1948), Southport (1948-1949), Scarborough (1950-1952), Wisbech Town (1952-1953)

Hull City Record

Career: 33 apps, 2 goals

Frank McGorrighan
SeasonLGE
App
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FAC
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FLC
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FLC
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OTH
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1946/4720150------
1947/486021------

1 thought on “345 Frank McGorrighan”

  1. Frank McCorrigan was an amazing dribbler with Hull City
    who could work his way through the whole of the opposing side until he was only 4-5 yards from their goalkeeper. He would then shoot wide, which achievement resulted in only two goals in 33 matches.

    Reply

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