Jamie Patrick McCunnie (born 15 April 1983 in Glasgow) is a Scottish referee and former footballer. His previous clubs include Dundee United, Ross County and Hartlepool United. He has represented Scotland at under-21 and B international levels. McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team for the 2019–20 season and was also the player-manager of Scottish Junior Football East Region Super League team Broughty Athletic.

Jamie McCunnie
Personal information
Full name Jamie Patrick McCunnie[1]
Date of birth (1983-04-15) 15 April 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
–1999 Dundee United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Dundee United 60 (0)
2003–2005 Ross County 63 (0)
2005–2007 Dunfermline Athletic 36 (0)
2007–2009 Hartlepool United 44 (1)
2009–2010 East Fife 28 (2)
2010–2011 Haukar 10 (0)
2011–2012 Grindavík 20 (1)
2012 Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur 0 (0)
2012–2013 Stirling Albion 35 (0)
2014–2021 Broughty Athletic
International career
2001–2005 Scotland U21 20 (0)
2005 Scotland B 1 (0)
Managerial career
2017 Broughty Athletic (caretaker)
2018–2021 Broughty Athletic
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:06, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

Playing career

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McCunnie began his senior career with Dundee United at youth level, signing for them professionally in 1999. Normally featuring as a right back at this stage of his career, he was given his first team début for United away to Hibernian in December 2000.[2] Despite McCunnie being aged only 17 at the time, manager Alex Smith was sufficiently impressed by his performances to keep him as a regular first team player for the rest of that season, helping the club climb successfully out of relegation and reach a Scottish Cup semi-final. McCunnie's successful season culminated in him signing a new three-year contract with the Tannadice club,[3] while also making his début for Scotland under-21 side against Poland.[4]

At this time, McCunnie was rated as one of the best young players in Scottish football. However, despite featuring regularly for Dundee United over the next two seasons and becoming captain of the Scotland under-21s, he began to lose consistency from his form. Ian McCall had become manager of Dundee United early in 2003, and seemingly unimpressed by the player's attitude, soon made it known to McCunnie that he was willing to dispense with his services. The somewhat surprised player found himself offloaded to First Division side Ross County, where his former mentor Alex Smith was now manager, in June 2003.[5] McCunnie spent two seasons playing for the Dingwall club, during which time he was converted from right back to a defensive midfield role. His Ross County contract was due to expire in 2005 and he was keen to seek a return to a higher level of football,[6] with a move to English football a distinct possibility. He was widely expected to join Cardiff City following a successful trial,[7] but the move ultimately fell through, and a trial with Gillingham was also unproductive. Instead, McCunnie was able to secure himself a return to the top flight of Scottish football, signing for Dunfermline Athletic in August 2005. He has established himself as a regular first team player, despite an injury absence early in his Dunfermline career, resulting from an assault outside a Dundee nightclub.[8]

McCunnie joined Hartlepool United on 15 June 2007 on a free transfer,[9] preferring the move to a contract extension, which he was widely expected to sign.[10] On 6 May 2009, he was released by Hartlepool after being deemed surplus to requirements.[11] He signed for East Fife for the 2009–10 season, but was released once the season had finished.

He then moved to Iceland, playing with Haukar, Grindavik and Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur. In March 2012, he returned to Scotland and signed for Stirling Albion.

Managerial career

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In the 2019–20 season, McCunnie managed the Abertay University Men's 1st team.

After leaving Stirling Albion, McCunnie signed for Dundee-based junior club Broughty Athletic. He took over as the club's caretaker manager in August 2017, following the resignation of previous manager Keith Gibson, then was appointed as interim for a second time in the same season after the resignation of Gibsons successor, Jim Finlayson in January 2018.[12][13]

On 28 February 2018, McCunnie became first team manager at Broughty Athletic.[14]

Refereeing career

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At the start of the 2020 coronavirus lockdown in Scotland, McCunnie qualified as a referee. Initially refereeing at grassroots level, McCunnie began refereeing Highland League games from the start of the 2022–23 season.[15]

Personal life

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In March 2022, McCunnie was left scarred for life after he was attacked in an over-35s league match.[16]

Career statistics

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After 25 October 2008

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Total
2000–01 Dundee United Scottish Premier League 15 0 4 0 - 19 0
2001–02 28 0 4 0 2 0 34 0
2002–03 13 0 - 1 0 14 0
2003–04 Ross County Scottish First Division 35 0 1 0 2 0 38 0
2004–05 27 0 3 0 1 0 31 0
2005–06 Dunfermline Athletic Scottish Premier League 22 0 1 0 2 1 25 1
2006–07 14 0 4 0 1 0 19 0
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2007–08 Hartlepool United Football League One 29 1 2 0 2 0 33 1
2008–09 7 0 - 2 0 9 0

References

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  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ "Terrors rage after late penalty". BBC Sport. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  3. ^ "McCunnie and Hay sign on". BBC Sport. 7 April 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  4. ^ "Young Poles edge out Scots". BBC Sport. 24 April 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  5. ^ "United complete Bullock deal". BBC Sport. 27 June 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  6. ^ McCunnie will leave Ross County BBC Sport, 6 May 2005. Accessed 17 September 2006
  7. ^ McCunnie impresses with Cardiff BBC Sport, 24 July 2005. Accessed 17 September 2006
  8. ^ Pars star Jamie in bottle attack, Daily Record, 8 November 2005. Accessed 17 September 2006
  9. ^ Pools Snap Up Scottish Cup Finalist, Vital Hartlepool, 15 June 2007.
  10. ^ McCunnie stays on at Dunfermline, BBC Sport, 13 June 2007.
  11. ^ Pools part with quintet, Sky Sports, 6 May 2009.
  12. ^ Simpson, James (2 August 2017). "Dundee junior football boss quits and drives 250 miles home from training camp 'over player antics'". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Defender to take over team matters". Broughty Athletic JFC. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Club appoint new manager". Broughty Athletic JFC. 28 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Former Dundee United kid Jamie McCunnie: I was a NIGHTMARE for referees — then I became one". The Courier. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Ex-Dundee United star scarred for life after children's football coach flew into rage". Daily Record. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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