John Joseph Carey was an Irish professional footballer and manager.
20 Facts About Johnny Carey
1.
2.
Johnny Carey was the first non-UK player and the first Irishman to captain a winning team in both an FA Cup Final and the First Division.
3.
Johnny Carey even played in goal for United on one occasion.
4.
Johnny Carey made his debut as an inside-left for United on 23 September 1937 against Southampton.
5.
Johnny Carey guested for Shamrock Rovers in a League of Ireland game against Limerick on 6 April 1941.
6.
Johnny Carey played and scored again for Rovers in a League of Ireland Shield game at Milltown against Waterford United on 11 November 1945.
7.
Johnny Carey served with the British Army in both Italy and the Middle East and while in Italy, he played part-time for several different clubs using the nickname Cario.
8.
On his return to Manchester United, Johnny Carey began playing as a midfielder and defender.
9.
Johnny Carey captained United to victory in the 1948 FA Cup final and to second place in the First Division four times before eventually winning the title in 1952.
10.
Johnny Carey played a further 38 games in the FA Cup and scored one further goal.
11.
Johnny Carey played twice for United in the FA Charity Shield.
12.
Johnny Carey gained the distinction of being the first player from Ireland to win a major trophy with Manchester United.
13.
When Johnny Carey began his international career in 1937 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.
14.
Between 1937 and 1953 Johnny Carey made 29 appearances and scored 3 goals for the FAI XI, making his debut against Norway on 7 November 1937 in a team that included Jimmy Dunne and fellow debutant, Kevin O'Flanagan.
15.
Johnny Carey made 9 appearances for the IFA XI between 1946 and 1949.
16.
Johnny Carey retired as a player in 1953 and almost immediately accepted the position as manager of Blackburn Rovers.
17.
Johnny Carey next managed Leyton Orient and took them into the First Division in 1962, their only season in the top division.
18.
Between 1955 and 1967 Johnny Carey served as team manager of the Republic of Ireland.
19.
However Johnny Carey had very little power as the team itself was chosen by a selection committee.
20.
In October 1970, Johnny Carey returned to the manager's role at Blackburn, after a spell as administrative manager.