Editing Gordon Strachan (section)

==Club career==
Born and raised in [[Muirhouse]], [[Edinburgh]], Strachan supported [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] as a boy.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=7}}</ref><ref name="dee">{{cite web|title=Dark blue to dark blue|url=http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/news/dark-blue-to-dark-blue|publisher=Dundee FC|access-date=2 March 2015|date=18 December 2013|archive-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010217/http://dundeefc.co.uk/news/dark-blue-to-dark-blue/|url-status=live}}</ref> His father, Jim, worked as a scaffolder, and his mother, Catherine, worked at a whisky distillery.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=8}}</ref> At age 15, he damaged his vision playing football on the school playground when a pen in his pocket became lodged in his right eye; the pen came within "a thousandth of an inch" of permanently costing him the vision in his eye.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=6}}</ref> He was offered a contract by Hibernian manager [[Eddie Turnbull]], but his father decided against the offer after stating the club did not pay sufficient expenses for footwear.<ref name="page 18"/>

===Dundee===
Strachan began his career with [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], having decided to sign with the Scottish club at age 14.<ref name="page 18">{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=17}}</ref> In joining the club, he rejected an approach from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]],<ref name="dee" /> reasoning he had a better chance to establish himself in the first team at [[Dens Park]].<ref name="page 18"/> His natural talent was immediately apparent, and he quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding player in the second team, twice winning the Scottish Reserve Player of the Year Award.<ref name="dee" /> He made his mark as an 18-year-old when he outplayed [[Alan Ball, Jr.|Alan Ball]] in a friendly with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in August 1975;<ref name="dee" /> ''[[The Sunday Post]]'' compared him to a young [[Billy Bremner]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=25}}</ref> Strachan became a regular player in the [[1975–76 Scottish Premier Division|1975–76]] season, the inaugural season of the [[Scottish Football League Premier Division|Scottish Premier Division]], featuring in 17 of the club's 36 league matches;<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=26}}</ref> however, [[David White (Scottish footballer)|David White]]'s "Dee" were relegated on the last day of the season after [[Dundee derby|rivals]] [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] edged ahead on goal average with an unlikely draw with champions [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=27}}</ref>

New boss [[Tommy Gemmell]] handed 19-year-old Strachan the captaincy for the [[1976–77 Scottish First Division|1976–77]] [[Scottish Football League First Division|First Division]] campaign,<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=28}}</ref> and he remains the youngest player to have captained Dundee.<ref name="dee" /> Strachan considers his performance as captain as very poor. "I was a pathetic Billy Bremner. I wanted to go about bumping into people, growling at people, shouting at people. And I forgot to be a footballer."<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfevpE4nSRA |title=Football's Greatest: Gordon Strachan - Fergie's petrol was anger |language=en |minutes=6:08 |access-date=2024-05-01 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The club failed to shine in the lower divisions, and Strachan lost his first-team place early in the [[1977–78 Scottish First Division|1977–78 season]] following a drinking session with [[Jimmy Johnstone]]; Gemmell was also concerned that Strachan was "getting kicked a lot" after opposition teams worked out that the way to stop Dundee was to take out their playmaker.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=31}}</ref> Strachan decided to leave Dundee as the club seemed unlikely to win back their top-flight status; the Dundee chairman was also keen on cashing in his most prized asset, and told Gemmell that "we need £50,000 by Friday or the banks are closing the gate".<ref name="dee" /><ref name="page 33">{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=33}}</ref> His last match for Dundee was on 26 October 1977 in a 6–0 defeat in the League Cup to [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]] at [[Palmerston Park]], which Strachan described in his autobiography as "embarrassing".

===Aberdeen===
Strachan was signed by [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] manager [[Billy McNeill]] in November 1977 for a fee of £50,000 plus [[Jim Shirra]].<ref name="page 33"/> Poor form and niggling injuries made [[1977–78 Aberdeen F.C. season|1977–78]] a poor season for Strachan, though the "Dons" went on to finish second in the Scottish Premier Division. He was not picked for the [[1978 Scottish Cup Final]] defeat to Rangers.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=41}}</ref> Strachan did win the Scottish 2nd XI Cup with the reserves in 1978.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://afcheritage.org/matches/match-report?id=6812 | title = Rangers 0 - 0 Aberdeen: Scottish Second XI Cup Final Second Leg | website = AFC Heritage | access-date = 30 May 2023 | archive-date = 28 November 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231128190619/https://afcheritage.org/matches/match-report?id=6812 | url-status = live }}</ref>

McNeill left the [[Pittodrie Stadium]] for [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in summer 1978, and [[Alex Ferguson]] was appointed as the new manager.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=44}}</ref> Strachan played at [[Hampden Park]] in the [[1979 Scottish League Cup Final (March)|1979]] [[Scottish League Cup|League Cup]] defeat to Rangers, and set up [[Duncan Davidson (footballer)|Duncan Davidson]] for the game's opening goal.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=47}}</ref> Though the [[1978–79 Aberdeen F.C. season|1978–79 campaign]] was a disappointment, Aberdeen went on to win the league title in [[1979–80 Aberdeen F.C. season|1979–80]] after closing a ten-point deficit over Celtic with a late run that included two victories at [[Celtic Park]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=52}}</ref> They again reached the [[1979 Scottish League Cup Final (December)|League Cup Final]], beating both [[Old Firm]] sides ''en route'', where they lost 3–0 to Dundee United at Dens Park.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=48}}</ref> At the end of the season, Strachan was elected [[SFWA Footballer of the Year]].<ref name="dee" /><ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=56}}</ref> After gaining assurance [[Alex McLeish]] would also stay with the club, Strachan signed a new contract to keep him at Pittodrie until 1984.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=57}}</ref>
[[File:Gordon Strachan's 1983 ECWC final shirt.jpg|alt=a red Aberdeen football shirt in a display cabinet|thumb|Gordon Strachan's 1983 European Cup Winner's Cup final shirt on display at Spartan FC's HQ at Pilton Edinburgh]]
The "Reds" could only manage a second-place finish in [[1980–81 Aberdeen F.C. season|1980–81]], as Celtic regained the league title. They exited the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] in the second round with defeat to eventual champions [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]; manager [[Bob Paisley]] said Strachan would become "Britain's first £2&nbsp;million player", in what was a (successful) early attempt at [[mind games]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=58}}</ref> He missed the second half of the season with a muscle tear in his stomach.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=59}}</ref> With fit-again Strachan on the right flank – supported by full-back [[Stuart Kennedy]] – and record signing [[Peter Weir (footballer)|Peter Weir]] on the left-flank, Aberdeen mounted a genuine title challenge in [[1981–82 Aberdeen F.C. season|1981–82]], but had to settle for second place to Celtic.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=61}}</ref> They did though lift the [[Scottish Cup]] with a [[1982 Scottish Cup Final|4–1 extra-time victory]] over Rangers, with Strachan contributing one assist and one goal.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=63}}</ref>

The [[1982–83 Aberdeen F.C. season|1982–83 campaign]] was the greatest in the [[History of Aberdeen F.C.|history of the club]], and Strachan made his mark early on with four goals in a 5–1 victory at former club Dundee in the League Cup.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=65}}</ref> Despite only finishing third in the league (albeit only one point behind champions and [[New Firm (Scotland)|New Firm]] rivals Dundee United) and exiting the League Cup in the quarter-finals, Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup and the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]. The club's European success came with a [[1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|2–1 after-extra-time victory]] over Spanish giants [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] at [[Ullevi]] in [[Gothenburg]]. The Scottish Cup came with a [[1983 Scottish Cup Final|1–0 win]] over Rangers.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=67}}</ref> The "Dons" continued their success by delivering the league title and Scottish Cup in [[1983–84 Aberdeen F.C. season|1983–84]], with Strachan setting up [[Mark McGhee]] for the winning goal in the [[1984 Scottish Cup Final|cup final]] win over Celtic.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=70}}</ref> This completed a unique treble, as they defeated [[Hamburger SV]] in the [[1983 European Super Cup]].

===Manchester United===
In August 1984, Manchester United spent £500,000 to take Strachan to [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=99}}</ref> However, because Strachan had previously signed a pre-contract agreement with [[Bundesliga]] side [[1. FC Köln]], United paid £75,000 compensation to resolve the row – teammate [[Mark McGhee]] had also signed a contract with [[Hamburger SV]] on the understanding that Strachan would also be playing in Germany.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=100}}</ref> Strachan opened the [[1984–85 Manchester United F.C. season|1984–85 campaign]] with four goals in seven matches,<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=104}}</ref> though the "Red Devils" could only manage a fourth-place finish in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]]. He featured at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in the [[1985 FA Cup Final]], as United ran out 1–0 winners over [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]; his lung-bursting run off-the-ball helped [[Norman Whiteside]] to find the space for his extra-time winner.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=109}}</ref>

After winning their opening ten league matches of the [[1985–86 Manchester United F.C. season|1985–86 season]], United had to cope without Strachan, who was sidelined for much of the season with injury.<ref name="page 112">{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=112}}</ref> They proved unable to cope with their injuries – another key player facing extended time in the treatment room was [[Bryan Robson]] – and limped to another fourth-place finish.<ref name="page 112"/> Atkinson was replaced by [[Alex Ferguson]] in November 1986, and Strachan mocked sobbing as he told his teammates, "I never thought he'd follow me this far south!"<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=124}}</ref> After his arrival, Ferguson speculated that no longer being the star player had negatively affected Strachan's form.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=125}}</ref> United finished a disappointing 11th in [[1986–87 Manchester United F.C. season|1986–87]], before rising to second place in [[1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season|1987–88]]. Strachan's form was again patchy in [[1988–89 Manchester United F.C. season|1988–89]], as United slipped back down to 11th.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=127}}</ref>

===Leeds United===
In March 1989, [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] manager [[Ron Atkinson]] had a bid of £200,000 accepted by Manchester United, and he offered Strachan a contract paying more money than anyone in the club's history.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=163}}</ref> However likely a move to Sheffield seemed, [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] manager [[Howard Wilkinson]] matched the offer and convinced Strachan to drop down into the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=165}}</ref> He quickly became a popular figure at [[Elland Road]], earning comparisons to former favourites [[Bobby Collins (footballer)|Bobby Collins]] and [[Johnny Giles]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=167}}</ref> Signing a two-year contract, he was awarded with the captain's armband.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=168}}</ref> He formed an unlikely midfield partnership with [[Vinnie Jones]] and led the club to the Second Division title in [[1989–90 Football League|1989–90]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=169}}</ref>

With the "Whites" now in the First Division, Wilkinson secured a midfield quartet of Strachan, [[Gary McAllister]], [[David Batty]] and [[Gary Speed]].<ref name="page 177">{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=177}}</ref> They achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in [[1990–91 Football League|1990–91]], and also reached the semi-finals of the [[1990–91 Football League Cup|League Cup]].<ref name="page 177"/> Strachan was voted [[FWA Footballer of the Year]] for his performances during the campaign, becoming the first player to win the award both in Scotland and in England.<ref name="page 177"/>

Strachan signed a new two-year contract, before captaining Leeds to the league title in [[1991–92 Leeds United A.F.C. season|1991–92]].<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=180}}</ref> In so doing, he denied former boss Alex Ferguson and Leeds' [[Leeds United F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|hated rivals]] Manchester United the title.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=181}}</ref> However, Strachan (now nearing age 35) was beginning to feel the effects of his [[sciatica]] and missed a number of matches due to his bad back.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=182}}</ref> Following the club's success, Strachan was appointed an [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] for his services to sport.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=197}}</ref>

However, Leeds were unable to build on their success, and finished the [[1992–93 Leeds United A.F.C. season|1992–93 season]] down in 17th place in what was newly re-branded as the [[Premier League]].<ref name="page 202">{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=202}}</ref> Strachan continued to impress though, and was given the club's Player of the Year award.<ref name="page 202"/> He scored a hat-trick against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 10 April 1993.<ref>{{cite news |last=Edworthy |first=Niall |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-strachan-inspires-1454576.html |title=Strachan inspires |date=11 April 1993 |access-date=15 September 2014 |work=The Independent |location=London |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103154957/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-strachan-inspires-1454576.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was his second hat-trick for Leeds, the first having come in September 1989 when he found the net three times in a 4–0 win over promotion rivals [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] in the Second Division at [[Elland Road]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leedsunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edy3/hattrick_heroes_286630/index.shtml|title=Hat-Trick Heroes|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803005112/http://www.leedsunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edy3/hattrick_heroes_286630/index.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Strachan managed 37 starts in [[1993–94 Leeds United A.F.C. season|1993–94]], and Leeds rose to fifth.<ref name="page 202"/> He was rarely selected in the [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95 season]], which would prove to be the end of his spell at Elland Road, where he had spent six years.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=204}}</ref>

===Coventry City===
In March 1995, Strachan moved to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] to work as assistant manager under new manager Ron Atkinson, the man who had brought him south of the border to Manchester United 11 years earlier. It was also agreed he would replace Atkinson as manager in summer 1997.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=206}}</ref> Strachan coached the team and led training sessions while learning the finer points of management from Atkinson.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=208}}</ref> He also took to the field at [[Highfield Road]], playing 26 Premier League matches for the Sky Blues over the next two years before finally hanging up his boots in his 40th year. Atkinson signed Aberdeen midfielder [[Eoin Jess]] in 1996 purely on the basis of Strachan's recommendation.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=211}}</ref> However, [[Isaías Marques Soares|Isaías]] left the club after falling-out with Strachan.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=212}}</ref> Coventry signed [[Gary McAllister]] for £3&nbsp;million on wages of £20,000 per week; the deal was done by McAllister's former teammate and friend Strachan, while Atkinson was largely opposed to the deal.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=214}}</ref> The club struggled at the start of the [[1996–97 Coventry City F.C. season|1996–97 campaign]], and the club's board of directors asked Atkinson to step aside in November 1996, some months earlier than first agreed, and Strachan was appointed manager.<ref>{{harvnb|Moynihan|2004|p=215}}</ref>