You'll not see nothin' like The Mighty Quinn

One night in April 1959, the former Everton half-back, Matt McPeake, was settling in for an evening in front of the television, after working all day for Cunard Line at Huskisson Dock. McPeake was a part-time scout who kept an eye on likely football prospects in the Merseyside area for his one-time playing colleague, Harry Catterick, who was then managing in the First Division at Sheffield Wednesday.

He lived in a flat overlooking the Anfield football ground and heard the strains of the loudspeaker music coming across the road. Drawn, like a magnet to the pre-match music, McPeake changed his mind about staying in and went across to see the game. It was the final of the Liverpool Non-League Cup, and Prescot Cables were playing Skelmersdale United.

That night he witnessed a polished performance by Cables’ 20-year-old, outside-right, John Quinn. Impressed, he immediately telephoned his chief at Hillsborough and Mr. Catterick joined him to watch Quinn in his next match. The Wednesday boss was also impressed and made an immediate offer to Prescot and the boy himself. Wednesday, made a donation of £250 to Prescot, plus agreed an additional £1,000 when Quinn completed 12 consecutive Central League games, and a further £1,000 if he made the first team.

Although relatively short and slight, St Helens-born, Quinn, had been for trials at Burnley and Bury in 1958, whilst still playing for St Helens Town. Despite Burnley wanting him to sign professional terms, he preferred to stay amateur and he moved to Hope Street at the start of the 1958/59 season. His performances had been attracting the attention of a number of league scouts all season. Wednesday’s capture came despite strong competition for his signature from Tranmere Rovers of the third division. Rovers' boss, Peter Farrell, was also at Anfield that night and had offered Quinn top terms and a certain first team place next season at Prenton Park. However, the lure of possible First Division football was the attraction which sold Wednesday to Quinn.

A Liverpool director also saw Quinn play in that Anfield game, but thought his ability only warranted offering him a trial. Not unsurprisingly, Quinn, refused Liverpool's offer!

Wednesday had a top class team in late 1950s and early '60s and it was hard for the young Quinn to force his way into the first team. He made his debut as a 21-year-old on Saturday 26 September 1959, in a 2-0 home victory over Luton Town, however he only made one more appearance that season. It took four years for Quinn to become a regular in the Wednesday side, his cause not being helped by the fact that he had to do his national service during this time, as a Physical Training Instructor with the 11th Signal Regiment at Catterick.

He became a regular starter for Wednesday from the beginning of the 1964-65 season up to his departure from the club in November 1967 during his time at Hillsborough he played 196 matches (including cup games) and scored 25 goals. Quinn became a cult hero in Sheffield, playing in every position for Wednesday save goalkeeper and centre-

half. He played in the 1966 FA Cup Final defeat against Everton, wearing the number 11 shirt.

Quinn moved to Second Division Rotherham United in November 1967, when new manager Tommy Docherty paid the Owls £27,500 to make him his first signing for the Millers. The Doc appointed him club captain, and played him at wing half. However, the team struggled and were eventually relegated at the end of the season. He stayed at Rotherham until July 1972, playing 114 games, although he was out of action for eighteen months with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He even gained his own theme tune on the terraces, thanks to Manfred Mann’s 1968 hit The Mighty Quinn.

He joined Halifax Town in 1972. He took over as caretaker manager at The Shay in September 1974 when George Mulhall resigned and was eventually handed the job on a permanent basis. He retired from playing in February 1975, but remained at The Shay until February 1976 when he was replaced by Alan Ball senior, having played 92 times for the club.

Johnny’s professional career was long, lasting from 1959 to 1976 during which time he made 380 league appearances.

He left Halifax immediately and joined non-league Worksop Town, under his former Wednesday team-mate Peter Swan. He went on to manage the club and later saw service with Goole Town.

At this time Johnny opened a sports shop on Middlewood Road in the Hillsborough suburb of Sheffield, just 200 metres from the Sheffield Wednesday ground, in conjunction with former Wednesday players Peter Eustace and Gerry Young. The shop, and another in Stocksbridge, was a successful business for many years.

After the end of Johnny’s professional football career he formed his own charity football team “Johnny Quinn’s All Stars” featuring former professionals from around the South Yorkshire area such as Emlyn Hughes, Lawrie Madden, Imre Varadi and Mel Sterland. Quinn announced he was pulling out as the figurehead of the All Stars in May 2006 with former Wednesday player Mel Sterland taking over. The All Stars raised huge amounts of money for charity over the years and Sterland said at the time, "Johnny should get an MBE for what he's done for charities; the money raised must run into millions."

Sadly, Johnny Quinn died in September 2020, at the age of 82, after a long illness. There were many heartfelt tributes from former team-mates and supporters. He was a real gentleman, well-respected and a popular figure wherever his career took him.