Scott Thomas McGarvey, born Glasgow, Scotland, April 22, 1963. Never afraid of provoking controversy, Scott McGarvey´s professional life was dominated by endless rows with club managers, and as a direct result, the often outspoken player went on to appear for a string of different teams during his active days, including Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Carlisle United, and Oldham Athletic.
Scott McGarvey joined Manchester United as an apprentice in 1979 and signed professional terms with The Reds the following year. A talented forward, he was given his Football League debut for United by Dave Sexton when he took the field as a substitute for fellow countryman Lou Macari in a 5-0 win over First Division newly promoted Leicester City at Old Trafford on the 13th of September 1980. The striker recorded his first top-flight goal for Manchester United in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on the 17th of April 1982, and followed up by scoring the winner in a 1-0 Division One triumph at home against Southampton two weeks later. The Glaswegian also scored the winning goal in a 2-1 First Division victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford on the 22nd of March 1983, but he continued to struggle for a regular spot in the United starting eleven and he accumulated a mere seven first team outings for the club during the 1982-83 campaign. As a Manchester United player, he was shipped out on loan to relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second period of the 1983-84 term in order to acquire some more first team experience, and racked up thirteen First Division appearances for The Old Gold and Black until he returned to Old Trafford. Failing to live up to the expectations, McGarvey only managed to play in 25 Division One matches for United before was dispatched to Second Division team Portsmouth for an estimated transfer fee of £85,000 in the summer of 1984.
During McGarvey´s first year at Portsmouth, Oxford United won promotion to the First Division along with runners-up Birmingham City and third placed Manchester City, while the South Coasters were pipped at the post on goal difference. The following season Portsmouth just missed out on promotion once again, finishing behind Wimbledon by three points. Unfortunately, the wayward player did not fulfil his obvious potential while with Portsmouth, and he amassed only 23 Division Two appearances for Pompey under former Philadelphia Fury and Blackpool gaffer Alan Ball during his two seasons at Fratton Park. Following a short loan spell at Carlisle United in 1986, he signed a permanent deal with The Cumbrians for whom he hit eighteen goals in 55 first-team games under Brunton Park boss Harry Gregg before he joined forces with Second Division Grimsby Town at the back end of the 1986-87 campaign. After scoring fourteen goals in 65 League appearances for The Mariners, he decided to make a move to Bristol City where he contributed fourteen goals in 33 Third Division matches for the Ashton Gate team. He then went on to play for Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Derry City, Witton Albion, Mazda, and finally Greek Cypriot side Aris Limassol where he finished off his playing days in 1993. Very few players in the history of the game have shown themselves capable of starting at the top, and actually staying there. Alas, the overconfident McGarvey started his professional career at the wrong end of the scale. Scott McGarvey Playing Career: Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, Bristol City, Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Derry City, Witton Albion, Mazda, Aris Limassol.