John McKenna (3 January 1855 – 22 March 1936), born in County Monaghan, Ireland, was a self-made businessman and former rugby player, who was the first manager of Liverpool. McKenna was born in the parish of Donagh, Monaghan to Patrick McKenna and Jane McCrudden and moved to Liverpool in the 1870's in search of work.
McKenna found employment first as a grocer’s boy before taking the role as a vaccinations officer for the West Derby Union, the union was responsible for the upkeep of the Liverpool workhouses at the time. McKenna also had a keen interest in sport, in particular rugby and shooting. McKenna was the leading figure in the formation of a regimental rugby club and also became involved with the West Lancashire Rugby Union but it was through his religious beliefs and politics that he would meet John Houlding, and McKenna’s love of Association football would surface when Houlding invited him to Anfield to watch his Everton team in action.
He remained with Houlding after Everton left Anfield for Goodison Park. 'Honest' John was one of the greatest driving forces for Liverpool throughout the early years. McKenna used his connections to fish for players in Glasgow, including Duncan McLean, James McBride, Malcolm McVean, Hugh McQueen, Matt McQueen, John McCartney, Bill McOwen and Joe McQue, this team was known as the "Team of Macs" due to the number of players with "Mc" in their surname.
It was McKenna, acting as the club's secretary, who telegraphed the Football League asking for Liverpool to be admitted to it. The club was denied entry into the Football League by the F.A. This forced McKenna to guide Liverpool through the ranks of the Lancashire League instead. Liverpool played their first game in the Lancashire League with an 8–0 win at Anfield against Higher Walton. John Smith scored the first competitive goal. After ending their first competitive season as champions, Liverpool were elected into the Football League. They played their first Football League match away to Middlesbrough Ironopolis on 2 September 1893, and won 2–0. After an hour's play, it was Malcolm McVean who broke the deadlock.