An audience with... Lou McCari

Luigi Macari was born on 7th June 1949 in Largs. He was a Scot through and through although his parents obviously were Italian. Several places lay claim to Lou’s birthplace including Edinburgh and Aberdeen although I am assured he was born down the coast in Largs.

Lou Macari went on to play for Celtic, Manchester United and Scotland. At Celtic Lou picked up 2 league championships, 2 Scottish Cups and appeared in three League Cup finals before attracting the attention of English Clubs.

It was thought he was on his way to Liverpool have been courted by the legendary Bill Shankley. He was Shanks guest at an FA Cup tie between the reds and Burnley. But the lure of Manchester United was too much.

United bought him from the Glasgow giants in 1973 but his early career was blighted when he struggled to lead a lack lustre attack and the side were relegated to the Second Division in 1974. However under Tommy Docherty Manchester United began to win back the popular support that makes them one of the best supported sides in the UK along with Celtic and Rangers.

In 1977 his shot deflected off team mate Jimmy Greenoff for United to win the FA Cup by beating Liverpool. In all he scored 97 goals in more than 400 appearances for United.

He left Manchester in 1984 and managed Swindon Town, West Ham, Stoke City (twice) Celtic, Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town.

It was at the McAlphine stadium in West Yorkshire that I interviewed Lou although it was unplanned. I had gone to Huddersfield to interview Steve Bruce who was manager there at the time. Having flown in from my home in Tenerife I was met at the reception by the news that Brucie had been sacked after a disastrous start to the season to be replaced by Lou Macari.

I secured the first interview with Lou on his first day in the job at Huddersfield.

He didn’t have much success I am told with the Terriers although they later regretted letting him go according to their chairman.

Lou was promoted twice with Swindon Town as champions and play off winners in 1986 and 1987 and with Stoke City who he took to the Division Two championship in 1993.

Lou has two sons who have played professional football with Stoke City, Michael and Paul. Another son Jonathan died in tragic circumstances after playing for Nottingham Forest.

Lou Macari currently lives in Stoke the scene of some of his success. He works for Manchester United TV, a show called “Sing when You’re Winning” and can often be found on Sky Sports and Setanta Sports giving his views on the beautiful game.

Lou also owns the “Lou Macari Chip Shop” in Chester Road near Old Trafford and I have it on good authority its very popular on match days.

Whenever you see the wee man on the box you will be impressed as I am of his knowledge of the game.

In his days in Manchester he also penned a book “United we shall not be moved” published by Souvenir Press Limited in 1976 ISBN 0285622609. This is of course now a collectors item and is being offered for sale by one book shop in Doncaster for £37 more than twice its original price.

Lou Macari was transferred from Celtic to Manchester United for just £200,000.

Today he would be worth ten times the original price.

It was a great for Lou to grant me an interview.