Jamie Patrick McCunnie (born 15 April 1983) is a Scottish football referee and former player. His previous clubs include Dundee United, Ross County and Hartlepool United. He represented Scotland at under-21 and B international levels. McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team for the 2019–20 season and was also the player-manager of Scottish Junior Football East Region Super League team Broughty Athletic.
Playing career McCunnie began his senior career with Dundee United at youth level, signing for them professionally in 1999. Normally featuring as a right back at this stage of his career, he was given his first team début for United away to Hibernian in December 2000. Despite McCunnie being aged only 17 at the time, manager Alex Smith was sufficiently impressed by his performances to keep him as a regular first team player for the rest of that season, helping the club climb successfully out of relegation and reach a Scottish Cup semi-final. McCunnie's successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract with the Tannadice club, while also making his début for Scotland under-21 side against Poland.
At this time, McCunnie was rated as one of the best young players in Scottish football. However, despite featuring regularly for Dundee United over the next two seasons and becoming captain of the Scotland under-21s, he began to lose consistency from his form. Ian McCall had become manager of Dundee United early in 2003, and seemingly unimpressed by the player's attitude, soon made it known to McCunnie that he was willing to dispense with his services. The somewhat surprised player found himself offloaded to First Division side Ross County, where his former mentor Alex Smith was now manager, in June 2003. McCunnie spent two seasons playing for the Dingwall club, during which time he was converted from right back to a defensive midfield role. His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005 and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football, with a move to English football a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City following a successful trial, but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham was also unproductive. Instead, McCunnie was able to secure himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for Dunfermline Athletic in August 2005. He has established himself as a regular first team player, despite an injury absence early in his Dunfermline career, resulting from an assault outside a Dundee nightclub.
McCunnie joined Hartlepool United on 15 June 2007 on a free transfer, preferring the move to a contract extension, which he was widely expected to sign. On 6 May 2009, he was released by Hartlepool after being deemed surplus to requirements. He signed for East Fife for the 2009–10 season, but was released once the season had finished.
He then moved to Iceland, playing with Haukar, Grindavik and Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur. In March 2012, he returned to Scotland and signed for Stirling Albion.
Managerial career In the 2019–20 season, McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team.
After leaving Stirling Albion, McCunnie signed for Dundee-based junior club Broughty Athletic. He took over as the club's caretaker manager in August 2017, following the resignation of previous manager Keith Gibson, then was appointed as interim for a second time in the same season after the resignation of Gibsons successor, Jim Finlayson in January 2018.
On 28 February 2018, McCunnie became first team manager at Broughty Athletic.
Refereeing career At the start of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown in Scotland, McCunnie qualified as a referee. Initially refereeing at grassroots level, McCunnie began refereeing Highland League games from the start of the 2022–23 season.
Personal life In March 2022, McCunnie was left scarred for life after he was attacked in an over-35s league match.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDundee United2000–01Scottish Premier League15040——1902001–02Scottish Premier League2804020—3402002–03Scottish Premier League130—10—140Total560803000670Ross County2003–04Scottish First Division3501020304102004–05Scottish First Division270301040350Total620403070760Dunfermline Athletic2005–06Scottish Premier League2201021—2512006–07Scottish Premier League1404010—190Total360503100441Hartlepool United2007–08Football League One2912020303612008–09Football League One150202010200Total441404040561East Fife2009–10Scottish Second Division2820000—282Stirling Albion2011–12Scottish Second Division700000—702012–13Scottish Third Division2800000203002013–14Scottish League Two2000101040Total370001030410Total26332101411403124
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