Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Roderick John McEachrane | ||
Date of birth | 1878 | ||
Place of birth | Inverness, Scotland | ||
Date of death | 1952 (aged 73–74) | ||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Playing position | Half back | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1898–1902 | Thames Ironworks | 103 | (6) |
1902–1913 | Woolwich Arsenal | 313 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Roderick John "Roddy" McEachrane (1878 – 16 November 1952) was a Scottish footballer, born in Inverness.
McEachrane moved to Canning Town, London at the age of 20, to work at the Thames Iron Works, and joined the works football team, Thames Ironworks FC. He soon settled in the side as a left half-back with a reputation for tough tackling. He was an ever-present for The Irons in the 1898-99 season, helping them to win the The Southern League Division Two title. He was again an ever-present the following season, and again during Thames Ironworks' first season under their new name, West Ham United. McEachrane was also one of the Irons' first players to turn professional and during his time as a player for the club (in both its incarnations) he amassed 113 appearances and 6 goals.
In May 1902, McEachrane moved south of the River Thames to join Second Division side Woolwich Arsenal, and was later joined by ex-West Ham team mates James Bigden and Charlie Satterthwaite. He made his debut against Preston North End on 6 September 1902, and his arrival coincided with the south London club's first period of success, as they finished third in the 1902-03 season, and then second in 1903-04, which won them promotion to the First Division. McEachrane, at left half, was near ever-present, and although the Gunners usually only occupied mid-table in their first stint in the top flight, they reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1905-06 and 1906-07.