Jim McCalliog
15 Days, 2 Matches, 0 Points
23rd October – 6th November 1978
Southend 2-0 Imps
Imps 0-1 Mansfield
Jim McCalliog had a fine career, finishing as a runner-up in the FA Cup in 1965 and the UEFA Cup in 1972. In 1976, he won the FA Cup with Southampton, adding a medal to the 10 caps he’d won for Scotland. He joined the Imps in 1978, hooking up with fellow Scot Willie Bell. When Bell got the heave-ho, McCalliog was handed a chance to shine. Initially, he threw his hat into the ring for the job on a permanent basis but withdrew that after losing his first game against Southend. It was a surprise to some – it had been thought he’d been earmarked for the job hen he arrived at the club.
He lost one more game against fellow strugglers Mansfield Town before Colin Murphy came in. Initially, McCalliog stayed on as part of the staff, but in March 1979, he left the club by mutual consent. Somewhat ironically, his only job in management came in March 1990; Billy Ayre was sacked at Halifax as a result of losing to the Imps, and he took over! McCalliog then lost twice at Sincil Bank during his time in the dugout before being sacked days before the Shaymen drew 0-0 with Steve Thompson’s Imps in October 1991.
He now runs a B&B in Ayrshire, apparently.
