Grant McCann

Grant McCann

McCann in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Grant Samuel McCann [1]
Date of birth	(1980-04-14) 14 April 1980 (age 44) [1]
Place of birth	Belfast, Northern Ireland [1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Doncaster Rovers (manager)
Youth career
1995–1996	Distillery
1996–1998	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2003	West Ham United	4	(0)
1999	→ Livingston (loan)	4	(0)
2000	→ Notts County (loan)	2	(0)
2000–2001	→ Cheltenham Town (loan)	30	(3)
2002	→ Cheltenham Town (loan)	8	(0)
2003–2007	Cheltenham Town	155	(31)
2006–2007	→ Barnsley (loan)	7	(1)
2007–2008	Barnsley	34	(3)
2008–2010	Scunthorpe United	99	(18)
2010–2015	Peterborough United	160	(29)
2015	Linfield	5	(1)
Total		508	(86)
International career
2000–2001	Northern Ireland U21	11	(3)
2001–2012	Northern Ireland	39	(4)
Managerial career
2015	Peterborough United (caretaker)
2016–2018	Peterborough United
2018–2019	Doncaster Rovers
2019–2022	Hull City
2022–2023	Peterborough United
2023–	Doncaster Rovers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Grant Samuel McCann (born 14 April 1980) is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder in the Football League. He is currently the manager of EFL League Two club Doncaster Rovers.

Born in Belfast, McCann played in the Distillery youth system from 1995 until signing for the West Ham United Academy of Football in 1996, where he started his professional career. ^{[2] [3]} He made his debut on 19 May 2001 in a 2–1 away defeat to Middlesbrough. ^[4] McCann also won 39 caps for Northern Ireland after making his senior debut against Malta in 2001, with the last of his 39 caps won in a 6–0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands in June 2012.

Club career

West Ham and loans

Finding it hard to break into the West Ham first team, McCann had loan spells at Livingston and Notts County before moving to Cheltenham Town, in another loan deal, in 2000. ^[5] Despite only making a handful of substitute appearances for West Ham and never starting a game, he is remembered for scoring an unfortunate and bizarre own-goal during an infamous 1–7 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers on 14 October 2001. After coming off the bench, McCann attempted a clearance from inside his own penalty area but the ball somehow spun backwards behind him and past Shaka Hislop in the West Ham goal. ^[6] This turned out to be McCann's final appearance for West Ham. ^{[7] [8]}

Cheltenham Town

After another loan deal took him back to Cheltenham in 2002, the move was made permanent during the January 2003 transfer window when he moved from West Ham for £50,000, a record transfer fee for Cheltenham Town. ^[5] McCann went on to make 155 league appearances for the Gloucestershire club. He had made only four substitute appearances for The Hammers. ^[9]

Barnsley

He joined Barnsley on loan deadline day, 23 November 2006, in a contract that expired on 1 January 2007. On his debut against Ipswich Town, he scored a 92nd-minute winner in Simon Davey's first game as caretaker boss. ^[10] The two clubs agreed a fee of £100,000 and McCann moved to Barnsley permanently on 2 January 2007. ^[11] At the time this was a record fee for an outbound player from Cheltenham. ^[12]

Scunthorpe

In January 2008, McCann left Barnsley to sign for Championship rivals Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee. ^[13]

Peterborough United

On 24 May 2010, Peterborough United announced that they had beaten off competition from a host of Championship clubs to secure the services of McCann on a three-year contract. ^[14] On 1 August, McCann was named the captain for the 2010–11 League One season, taking the role from George Boyd. He continued to hold this position for the 2011–12 season. ^[15]

McCann has the rare achievement of being promoted via a play-off three times – once each with three clubs at three Stadiums – with Cheltenham Town at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, with Scunthorpe United at Wembley Stadium, London and with Peterborough United at Old Trafford, Manchester.

On 30 April 2012, McCann with seven other Peterborough players were placed on the transfer list by manager Darren Ferguson. ^[16]

Linfield

On 14 January 2015, McCann returned to his native country to join NIFL Premiership side Linfield on a free transfer after his contract at Peterborough was terminated by mutual consent. He signed an initial six-month contract to last until the end of the 2014–15 season. ^[17] McCann, who made close to 200 appearances in all competitions for Posh, had been assisting with the coaching of Peterborough's youth side in the weeks prior to his departure, but was keen to continue playing regularly. ^[18] His brother, Ryan McCann, had previously played for Linfield between 2002 and 2005, winning several trophies with the Blues including the league title in 2004 and the Setanta Cup in 2005.

On 23 February 2015, McCann was linked to a coaching role at his former club Peterborough United, following the sacking of Darren Ferguson two days earlier. It was assumed that McCann would balance his role at Peterborough with his playing time at Linfield. ^[19] However, it was later confirmed that McCann would be ending his stay at Linfield after just six weeks. During his short spell at the club, he made six appearances in all competitions, scoring once against Ballymena United in a league game.

Return to Peterborough United

On 26 February 2015, Linfield confirmed that McCann's contract had been terminated with immediate effect, facilitating his return to Peterborough in a coaching capacity until at least the end of the 2014–15 season. ^[20]

Managerial career

Peterborough United

On 16 May 2016, McCann was appointed Peterborough United manager on a four-year contract. ^[21] He was named League One Manager of the Month for August 2017, after his team got off to a flying start at the beginning of the season. ^[22] On 25 February 2018, he was sacked after no wins in seven matches. ^[23]

Doncaster Rovers

On 27 June 2018, McCann was announced as the new Doncaster Rovers manager. ^[24] He led them to the play-offs on the final day of the season, 4 May 2019, with a 2–0 win over Coventry City. They finished in sixth place in the League One table. ^[25] They lost to Charlton Athletic in the play-off semi-final stages. After two legs the aggregate score was 4–4 with Charlton winning 4–3 on penalties. ^[26]

Hull City

McCann was appointed as head coach of Championship club Hull City on 21 June 2019 on a one-year rolling contract. ^[27] City vice-chairman and son of owner Assem Allam, Ehab Allam said of McCann's appointment, "Grant has been a standout candidate with a playing style and philosophy aligned to that of the Club. With a great team of existing staff in their support and of the squad too, I hope for an exciting season ahead." ^[28] On 14 July 2020, Hull lost 8–0 at Wigan Athletic, equalling their record loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 1911. The result put Hull in the bottom three by one point having won once in their past 18 games with 14 defeats. ^[29] Hull were relegated to League One in 24th and bottom place following a 3–0 defeat by Cardiff City on 22 July. Despite the relegation, McCann said he hoped to manage the team in the upcoming season. ^[30]

McCann immediately led the team back to the Championship as League One Champions, winning promotion with two matches left to play after a 2–1 victory at Lincoln City. ^[31] The title was secured the following match with a 3–1 victory over Wigan Athletic, as second-placed Peterborough United were held to a 3–3 draw, a result that still saw them promoted. ^[32] McCann was awarded a number of individual awards over the season, winning the League One Manager of the Month for both January 2021 ^[33] and April 2021, ^[34] culminating in him being named 2020–21 EFL League One Manager of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony. ^[35]

On 25 January 2022, McCann was sacked by the club following a takeover by a Turkish consortium. At the time the club were sitting in 19th position, ten points clear of the relegation zone. ^[36]

Return to Peterborough United

On 24 February 2022, McCann returned to Peterborough United for a third spell, his second as manager. ^[37] He was unable to save his side from relegation and they were immediately relegated back to League One on 23 April following a 1–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. ^[38]

On 4 January 2023, McCann was sacked with the club sitting in eighth position in League One, five points outside of the play-offs. ^[39]

Return to Doncaster Rovers

On 12 May 2023, McCann returned to another of his former clubs when he was appointed manager of League Two club Doncaster Rovers. ^[40] Despite having sat in 22nd position in February, McCann led Doncaster to a club record-equalling ten-match winning run, ending the season in the play-off positions, McCann being named the EFL League Two Manager of the Month for April 2024. ^[41]

International career

He made his debut for the Northern Ireland national team on 6 October 2001 in a 1–0 away win against Malta. ^[5] He opened his goalscoring account for Northern Ireland by scoring the last goal, a header, in the 4–1 away win against Liechtenstein on 24 March 2007. ^[42] The last of his 39 caps was won in a 6–0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands in June 2012.^{[ citation needed ]}

International goals

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first. ^[43]

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	24 March 2007	Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein	Liechtenstein	4–1	4–1	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
2.	15 October 2008	Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland	San Marino	2–0	4–0	2010 World Cup qualification
3.	11 February 2009	San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino	San Marino	2–0	3–0	2010 World Cup qualification
4.	12 August 2009	Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland	Israel	1–0	1–1	Friendly

Career statistics

Playing statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
West Ham United	1999–2000 [44]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2000–01 [45]	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2001–02 [46]	Premier League	3	0	0	0	0	0	—		3	0
	Total		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Livingston (loan)	1999–2000 [44]	Scottish First Division	4	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	5	0
Notts County (loan)	2000–01 [45]	Second Division	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
Cheltenham Town (loan)	2000–01 [45]	Third Division	30	3	2	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	33	3
Cheltenham Town	2002–03 [47]	Second Division	27	6	0	0	0	0	2 [b]	1	29	7
	2003–04 [48]	Third Division	43	8	3	3	1	1	1 [b]	0	48	12
	2004–05 [49]	League Two	39	5	0	0	1	0	2 [b]	1	42	6
	2005–06 [50]	League Two	39	8	3	1	2	2	6 [c]	0	50	11
	2006–07 [51]	League One	15	5	2	0	2	0	1 [b]	2	20	7
	Total		193	35	10	4	6	3	13	3	222	45
Barnsley	2006–07 [51]	Championship	22	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	1
	2007–08 [52]	Championship	19	3	1	0	2	0	0	0	22	3
	Total		41	4	1	0	2	0	0	0	44	4
Scunthorpe United	2007–08 [52]	Championship	14	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	1
	2008–09 [53]	League One	43	9	3	0	1	0	7 [d]	1	54	10
	2009–10 [54]	Championship	42	8	1	0	2	1	0	0	45	9
	Total		99	18	4	0	3	1	7	1	113	20
Peterborough United	2010–11 [55]	League One	38	9	4	1	1	0	3 [e]	3	46	13
	2011–12 [56]	Championship	41	8	0	0	1	0	0	0	42	8
	2012–13 [57]	Championship	40	8	1	0	2	0	0	0	43	8
	2013–14 [58]	League One	35	4	2	0	2	0	8 [f]	2	47	6
	2014–15 [59]	League One	6	0	0	0	1	0	1 [b]	0	8	0
	Total		160	29	7	1	7	0	12	5	186	35
Linfield	2015–16	NIFL Premiership	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
Career total			508	87	22	5	19	4	32	10	581	106

1. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
2. Appearances in Football League Trophy
3. Three appearances in Football League Trophy and three in League Two play-offs
4. Four appearances in Football League Trophy and three in League One play-offs
5. Appearances League One play-offs
6. Six appearances in Football League Trophy and two in League One play-offs

Managerial statistics

As of match played 16 November 2024

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record					Ref.
			P	W	D	L	Win %
Peterborough United (interim)	8 September 2015	21 September 2015	2	1	1	0	050.0	[60] [61]
Peterborough United	23 April 2016	25 February 2018	104	41	27	36	039.4	[23] [61]
Doncaster Rovers	27 June 2018	21 June 2019	59	27	14	18	045.8	[61]
Hull City	21 June 2019	25 January 2022	136	53	29	54	039.0	[61]
Peterborough United	24 February 2022	4 January 2023	48	18	8	22	037.5	[61]
Doncaster Rovers	12 May 2023	Present	81	39	15	27	048.1	[61]
Total			430	179	94	157	041.6

Honours

As a player

Scunthorpe United

• Football League One play-offs: 2009 ^[62]
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2008–09 ^[63]

Peterborough United

• Football League One play-offs: 2011 ^[64]
• Football League Trophy: 2013–14 ^[65]

As a manager

Hull City

• EFL League One: 2020–21 ^[66]

Individual

• EFL League One Manager of the Month: August 2017, ^[67] September 2018, ^[68] January 2021, ^[33] April 2021 ^[34]
• EFL League One Manager of the Season: 2020–21 ^[35]
• EFL League Two Manager of the Month: April 2024 ^[41]

References

1. "Grant McCann". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
2. "Career History". UpThePosh!. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
3. "West Ham United | Graduates". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
4. "Grant McCann". Westhamstats.info. 14 April 1980. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
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6. "Grant McCann of West Ham United scores an own goal during the FA..." Getty Images. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
7. "Blackburn thrash West Ham". 14 October 2001. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
8. "Game played on 14 Oct 2001". www.westhamstats.info. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
9. "Grant McCann | Peterborough United". Soccer Base. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
10. "Barnsley 1–0 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 25 November 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
11. "Mccann Signs For Barnsley". Irishfa.com. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
12. "Tykes sign Cheltenham's Odejayi". BBC Sport. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
13. "McCann completes Scunthorpe move". BBC Sport. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
14. "Posh pull off major Transfer coup". Peterborough United F.C. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
15. "Football – Grant McCann confirmed as Peterborough United captain". BBC Sport. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
16. "Peterborough United list Grant McCann, release Joe Lewis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
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18. "McCann joins Linfield". Peterborough United F.C. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
19. "Grant McCann handed Peterborough United coaching role". BBC Sport. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
20. "Linfield confirm Grant McCann will leave to take up coaching role". BBC Sport. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
21. "Peterborough United: Grant McCann appointed manager". BBC Sport. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
22. "Grant McCann named League One Manager of the Month". EFL. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
23. "Grant McCann: Peterborough sack manager after no wins in seven matches". BBC Sport. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
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36. "Club Statement: Grant McCann". Hull City A.F.C. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
37. "Posh Appoint McCann As New Manager". www.theposh.com. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
38. "Peterborough United 0–1 Nottingham Forest: Sam Surridge's winner confirms relegation for Posh". BBC Sport. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
39. "Official Club Statement". www.theposh.com. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
40. "HE'S BACK | Rovers appoint Grant McCann as manager". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
41. "Sky Bet Manager and Player of the Month: April winners". www.efl.com. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
42. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
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46. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
47. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
48. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
49. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
50. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
51. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
52. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
53. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
54. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
55. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
56. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
57. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
58. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
59. "Games played by Grant McCann in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
60. "Grant McCann: Peterborough United players cannot hide". BBC Sport. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
61. "Managers: Grant McCann". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
62. "Millwall 2–3 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
63. Fletcher, Paul (5 April 2009). "Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
64. "Huddersfield 0–3 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
65. Woodcock, Ian (30 March 2014). "Chesterfield 1–3 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
66. "Hull City 3–1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
67. "Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month: Grant McCann named August's top boss". EFL. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
68. "Manager of the Month: Grant McCann". www.efl.com. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

External links

• Northern Ireland stats at Irish FA
• Grant McCann at Soccerbase