Bernard McNally

Bernard McNally (born 17 February 1963 in Shrewsbury, England) is a former Northern Irish football midfielder.

During his club career he played for Shrewsbury Town (1980-89), West Bromwich Albion (1989-95), Hednesford Town (1996-98), and Telford United. He earned 5 caps for the Northern Ireland national football team from 1986 to 1988, and was included in the 1986 FIFA World Cup team.

Playing career

McNally grew up in the Harlescott area of Shrewsbury, and was a pupil at the Harlescott Grange school. He was signed as a professional by his hometown club Shrewsbury Town, on the eve of the 1981/82 season, and immediately established himself as a first team member in arguably one of the best ever Shrewsbury Town sides. McNally was one of the key Shrewsbury players during their spell in the old Second Division, as Shrewsbury established themselves as Second Division regulars during the mid-80s, and made a total of 284 Football League appearances for Shrewsbury.

In July 1989, McNally was sold for £385,000 (following a tribunal) to West Bromwich Albion, following talks with both Stoke City and Sunderland. McNally had a successful stint at West Brom, in only his first year at the club he was voted Supporter's Player of the season in 1898/90. Arguably the highlight of his time at The Hawthorns being a member of the squad that won the 1993 Second Division playoffs.

He was unable to command a regular first team place later in his West Brom career, and so made a switch to another West Midlands team, Hednesford Town, in 1996. Hednesford were enjoying a successful spell in the Nationwide Conference, and the experienced Football League veteran was a hit with the Hednesford fans. Arguably the highlight of McNally's Hednesford career was the team's 1996/97 FA Cup run, in which the team reached the fourth round, facing Middlesbrough F.C. at the Riverside Stadium. After taking an early lead in front of a 28,000 crowd, Hednesford were unlucky to lose 3-2, with McNally playing an important role.

After playing for Hednesford, he played briefly at Telford United before retiring as a player

Managerial career

In 2004, one of McNally's former clubs Telford United, went bust following the demise of chairman Andy Shaw's business empire.

Despite being unable to save the club, Telford supporters founded a new club, AFC Telford United, playing in the Northern Premier League's First Division.

McNally was appointed as the club's first manager, and quickly built up a squad. Despite some early indifferent form, McNally's side soon rose up the table, eventually finishing third in the league and qualifying for the play-offs. Telford were to beat Kendal Town 2-1 in the playoff final, in front of a league record crowd of 4.215 at the New Bucks Head.

Unfortunately, Telford strugled in their opening season in the Northern Premier League. With the club second from bottom mid-way through the season, and following considerable pressure from fans, McNally was sacked, later to be replaced by Willenhall's Rob Smith.

Despite the setback, McNally stated in a later radio interview for BBC Radio Shropshire that whilst disappointed, he had no hard feelings towards the club, and was proud to have managed them.

McNally is currently involved in football coaching, and is still remembered with great affection by fans at Shrewsbury Town. To that effect he was invited to be part of the Shrewsbury Town 'Legends' who paraded the pitch at Gay Meadow prior to the ground's final League fixture against Grimsby Town on May 5th 2007.

Recently Mr.Mcnally was appointed by an Indian club as the head coach .Pune Football Club (PFC) an Ashok Piramal Group venture is registered with the Pune District Football Association and is one of the new professionally run clubs given direct entry into NFL - II. PFC has recently appointed Mr. Bernard McNally as their Head Coach who comes with more than two decades of experience in professional football from United Kingdom.

Among the few professional coaches with a UEFA Pro-Licence Bernard McNally is a charismatic, ambitious and motivational leader with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Formerly with MAC Technical Skills, he was responsible for the development and deliver of a comprehensive and technical skills programme to raise the standard at grass roots to both coaches and at the Centre of Excellence - West Brom Albion.