Career
He was released at apprentice level. However, when the apprenticeship scheme was revamped he was re-signed as a trainee at Grimsby Town and after 13 appearances in the Second Division he signed professional terms. At the start of McDermott's career he was a utility player but then established himself as a regular right-back for the Mariners.
Over the decades he was seen by many as a consistent performer as he won Grimsby Town 'Player of the Year' a record three times. In 1994 McDermott suffered an injury and was injured for nine months. He regained his place in the team in 1996 and was quickly becoming one of the most respected defenders outside the Premier League and was linked with moves to Sunderland AFC and Ipswich Town but did not leave his beloved Grimsby Town. One of his famous quotes on the situation of present-day footballers is:
"If someone would rather sit in the reserves at a big club and drive around in a Ferrari rather than going out on-loan and playing, then I think it's a sad day."
There was a time where he was expected to move to fierce rivals Hull, but the deal never materialised.
He was appointed captain by player/manager Paul Groves, and won BBC Radio Humberside 'Sports personality of the year' award. Other great memories for him included the win over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup. Further highlights followed in the 2005–06 season as he had his second testimonial against local rivals Hull City and was included in Four Four Two magazine's list of the top 50 players outside the Premier League.
Throughout his 20-year career, McDermott has experienced promotion or relegation nine times. He considers his Man of The Match award in the Auto Windscreens Shield victory in 1998 to be the highlight of his career.
McDermott was described by one Grimsby Town fanzine as a defender who 'defends without tackling'; meant as a compliment to his ability to shackle opposition strikers without committing fouls.
Read more about this topic: John Mc Dermott (English Footballer)
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“The 19-year-old Diana ... decided to make her career that of wife. Today that can be a very, very iffy line of work.... And what sometimes happens to the women who pursue it is the best argument imaginable for teaching girls that they should always be able to take care of themselves.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)
“Clearly, society has a tremendous stake in insisting on a woman’s natural fitness for the career of mother: the alternatives are all too expensive.”
—Ann Oakley (b. 1944)
“He was at a starting point which makes many a man’s career a fine subject for betting, if there were any gentlemen given to that amusement who could appreciate the complicated probabilities of an arduous purpose, with all the possible thwartings and furtherings of circumstance, all the niceties of inward balance, by which a man swings and makes his point or else is carried headlong.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)