Johnny Carey

Date of birth23 February 1919
Place of birthDublin
NationalityIrish
PositionFull back

John Carey was United's captain when they won the FA Cup (1948) and League title (1952) - Busby's first successes. A sprightly forward pre-war, Busby converted him successfully to a classy defender, skilful, inspirational and play-maker from the back, unique at this time. An intelligent, studious player he was Busby's 'manager on the pitch', versatile playing in every defensive position including once as goalkeeper. Footballer of the Year in 1949, this modest man was genuinely surprised he was considered such a good player.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
St James` Gate 01 Nov 1936
Manchester United 01 Nov 1936

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1937-38 Manchester United FA Cup 3
1
1937-38 Manchester United League Division Two 16
3
1938-39 Manchester United FA Cup 2
1938-39 Manchester United League Division One 32
6
1939-40 Irish XI Unofficial 1
1945-46 Ireland Victory 2
1945-46 Manchester United FA Cup 4
1946-47 Ireland British Home Championship 2
1946-47 Ireland International Friendly 1
1946-47 Manchester United FA Cup 2
1946-47 Manchester United League Division One 31
1946-47 Rest of Europe Anniversary 1
1947-48 Ireland British Home Championship 1
1947-48 Manchester United FA Cup 6
1947-48 Manchester United League Division One 37
1
1948-49 Ireland British Home Championship 3
1948-49 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1
1948-49 Manchester United FA Cup 7
1948-49 Manchester United League Division One 41
1
1949-50 Manchester United FA Cup 5
1949-50 Manchester United League Division One 38
1
1950-51 Manchester United FA Cup 4
1950-51 Manchester United League Division One 39
1951-52 Manchester United FA Cup 1
1951-52 Manchester United League Division One 38
3
1952-53 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1
1952-53 Manchester United FA Cup 4
1952-53 Manchester United League Division One 32
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
10 May 1947 Great Britain v Rest of Europe L 6-1 ANNIVERSARY


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1937-38 Republic of Ireland FIFA World Cup 1
1937-38 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 2
1938-39 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 5
2
1945-46 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 2
1946-47 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 3
1947-48 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 2
1948-49 Republic of Ireland FIFA World Cup 1
1948-49 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 4
1949-50 Republic of Ireland FIFA World Cup 3
1949-50 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 1
1950-51 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 3
1
1952-53 Republic of Ireland International Friendly 2


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
07 Nov 1937 Republic of Ireland v Norway D 3-3 FIFA World Cup Group 2
18 May 1938 Czechoslovakia v Republic of Ireland D 2-2 International Friendly
22 May 1938 Poland v Republic of Ireland L 6-0 International Friendly
18 Sep 1938 Republic of Ireland v Switzerland W 4-0 International Friendly
13 Nov 1938 Republic of Ireland v Poland W 3-2 International Friendly
19 Mar 1939 Republic of Ireland v Hungary D 2-2 International Friendly
18 May 1939 Hungary v Republic of Ireland D 2-2 International Friendly
23 May 1939 Germany v Republic of Ireland D 1-1 International Friendly
16 Jun 1946 Portugal v Republic of Ireland L 3-1 International Friendly
23 Jun 1946 Spain v Republic of Ireland W 0-1 International Friendly
30 Sep 1946 Republic of Ireland v England L 0-1 International Friendly
02 Mar 1947 Republic of Ireland v Spain W 3-2 International Friendly
04 May 1947 Republic of Ireland v Portugal L 0-2 International Friendly
23 May 1948 Portugal v Republic of Ireland L 2-0 International Friendly
30 May 1948 Spain v Republic of Ireland L 2-1 International Friendly
05 Dec 1948 Republic of Ireland v Switzerland L 0-1 International Friendly
24 Apr 1949 Republic of Ireland v Belgium L 0-2 International Friendly
22 May 1949 Republic of Ireland v Portugal W 1-0 International Friendly
02 Jun 1949 Sweden v Republic of Ireland L 3-1 FIFA World Cup Group 5
12 Jun 1949 Republic of Ireland v Spain L 1-4 International Friendly
08 Sep 1949 Republic of Ireland v Finland W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Group 5
21 Sep 1949 England v Republic of Ireland W 0-2 International Friendly
09 Oct 1949 Finland v Republic of Ireland D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 5
13 Nov 1949 Republic of Ireland v Sweden L 1-3 FIFA World Cup Group 5
26 Nov 1950 Republic of Ireland v Norway D 2-2 International Friendly
13 May 1951 Republic of Ireland v Argentina L 0-1 International Friendly
30 May 1951 Norway v Republic of Ireland W 2-3 International Friendly
16 Nov 1952 Republic of Ireland v France D 1-1 International Friendly
25 Mar 1953 Republic of Ireland v Austria W 4-0 International Friendly


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.