Neil McBain

He was brought to Watford as the suspended Frank Barson's replacement and continued as the first-team centre-half for nearly two more seasons after becoming manager. Under his guidance the club was to begin its most successful period in Division 3 (South), but he was suddenly disposed of for having adopted a personal approach to cash-handling. Re-engaged 19 years later, Neil McBain had little to offer in his second spell, which was characterized by a succession of signings from in and around his old Ayrshire stamping ground. He played no part in the signing of Cliff Holton in 1958, by which time his less-than- abstemious habits had dragged him down. At New Brighton after the Second World War he freakishly entered the record books by standing in for his goalkeeper, who in bad weather had failed to turn up for a fixture at Hartlepool, which the home side won 3-0, to become (as he remains to this day) the oldest player in Football League history. He hadn't played for sixteen years. His precise age on that day is still the subject of countless published errors - in fact it was 51 years and 120 days.

League Managerial Career With Watford: Overview