A footballing pioneer and key activist in the club's successful assimilation into the Football League, 'Honest' John McKenna played a significant role in Liverpool's early history.
A close aide of John Houlding, he initially shared secretarial and managerial duties with William Barclay but was very much the more influential partner in their relationship.
Entrusted with the task of assembling Liverpool’s first ever team, he organised what was to be an inspirational recruitment drive north of the border.
His now famous ‘Team of Macs’ won the Lancashire League title in the club’s inaugural season, so the ambitious and forward-thinking Ulsterman submitted an application to join the Football League.