Jackie Vernon (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Joseph Vernon | ||
| Date of birth | 26 September 1918 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 24 August 1981 (aged 62) | ||
| Place of death | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Playing position | Centre half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 19xx | Spearmint F.C. | ||
| 19xx | Dundela | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 194x–1947 | Belfast Celtic | ||
| 1947–1952 | West Bromwich Albion | 190 | (1) |
| 1947 | → Shamrock Rovers (guest) | ||
| 1952–1954 | Crusaders | 44 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 1944–1951 | Ireland (IFA) | 21 | (0) |
| → Northern Ireland | |||
| 1946 | Ireland (FAI) | 2 | (0) |
| 1947–1951 | Great Britain XI | 2 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1952–1954 | Crusaders | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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John Joseph Vernon (26 September 1918 – 24 August 1981) also referred to as Jackie Vernon, was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Belfast Celtic and West Bromwich Albion. Vernon was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. He also played on two occasions for a Great Britain XI.
Vernon was born in Jocelyn Avenue, Belfast and when he left school he initially entered the family butcher business. He would eventually return to the same trade after retiring as a player. Vernon also played as a junior with both Spearmint and Dundela. His performances attracted the interest of Liverpool but he rejected their approach and opted to sign for Belfast Celtic instead.
Together with Jimmy McAlinden, Billy McMillan, Tommy Breen and Charlie Tully, he was a prominent member of the Celtic team managed by Elisha Scott. This team dominated the Irish League during the Second World War era. He played his last game for Celtic on 8 February 1947 against Linfield. Both West Bromwich Albion and Glasgow Celtic declared an interest in signing Vernon but the Celtic manager, Jimmy McGrory, would not meet Belfast Celtic's £8,000 valuation.
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