John McKnight was a professional footballer who played as a centre forward. He played almost fifty matches in the Football League with Burnley and Darwen, and also played for Middlesbrough Ironopolis in the Northern Football League.
Playing career Early career McKnight began as a centre forward with Grimsby Town in September 1889, in the opening match of the 1889–90 season."Football Notes: Grimsby Town v. West Bromwich Albion", Hull Daily Mail (9 September 1889), p. 3. He also played for Aston Villa before joining Middlesbrough Ironopolis,""Brevities", The Walsall Advertiser (28 October 1893), p. 4. where he played from 1892 to 1893. One review during his time with Aston Villa in 1891 described McKnight as "elephantine"."Football Notes", The Birmingham Daily Mail (5 January 1891), p. 4. At the end of the 1892 season with Ironopolis, it was reported that "McKnight makes a wonderful difference in the team", which had averaged one goal per game when he was absent for a stretch, but "since his reappearance... registered 20 goals in four matches"."Association Notes, By Referee", The Darlington North Star (19 March 1892), p. 4. It was also reported at that time that McKnight and other core players had signed on with Middlesbrough for the next season.
Darwen In March 1893, it was reported that "McKnight, the centre-forward of the Middlesbrough Club, has been engaged by Darwen"."Sports and Pastimes", The Nottingham Evening Post (27 March 1893), p. 4. Later that year, it was speculated that "McKnight, ex-Grimsby, ex-Aston Villa, ex-Middlesboro, ex-nearly everywhere, is likely to leave Darwen for Ardwick", although this departure did not materialise, and McKnight remained with Darwen for the following year.
In the January 1894 FA Cup first round match between Darwen and Derby County, McKnight "got off capitally" in a corner recovery of a blocked goal attempt against Darwen, then had a goal attempt of his own blocked despite being "an excellent shot", and "was caught red-handed by the referee when getting up after his dirty work, and he was promptly cautioned, some laughter being caused by the offender being on his knees"."To-Day's Football. The English Cup. Derby County v. Darwen", Derby Daily Telegraph (29 January 1894), p. 3. Later in the season, McKnight was singled out for praise in Darwen's 3–0 victory over Walsall Town Swifts, scoring one goal "with a high shot", assisting with another, and scoring a goal from offside towards the end of the match."Darwen v. Walsall Town Swifts", Birmingham Daily Gazette (5 March 1894), p. 3. In total he made 24 appearances in the Football League for Darwen, scoring 10 goals.
Burnley After two seasons with Darwen, McKnight moved to Burnley of the First Division. In September 1894, McKnight was injured in one game, having to be carried from the field with a twisted knee during a match against Nottingham Forest, in which McKnight's scoring efforts had been frustrated several times during the game.This Day's Football. The League.—Division I. Notts Forest v. Burnley", The Nottingham Evening Post (1 September 1894), p. 3. Later that month, however, McKnight scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, though some observers felt that the player McKnight received the ball from was offside, and the goal should not have counted."The Wolves Make A Good Show At Burnley", Birmingham Daily Gazette (24 September 1894), p. 6.
In a March 1895 match against Small Heath, McKnight was criticised for "harassing and questionable tactics", including a blow to the ribs of an opposing player that caused a stoppage of the game, which Burnley went on to lose."Two Points At Last", Birmingham Daily Gazette (25 March 1895), p. 6. McKnight was again frustrated in an April 1895 match against Aston Villa, being called for a foul while "bearing down on the home goal" in a match that Burnley lost 5–0."Saturday's Football. The League.—Division I. Aston Villa v. Burnley", Birmingham Daily Gazette (8 April 1895), p. 6. In total he made 22 Football League appearances for Burnley, scoring 6 goals.
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