BORN OTD: JIMMY MCNAB

Jimmy McNab was born on this day in Scotland in 1940. The defender would make 323 appearances for Sunderland as part of the most settled back five in England, scoring 18 goals along the way.

Jimmy signed into Sunderland's youth academy as an apprentice in 1957 and would make his full debut for Sunderland a year later, the first of a staggering 323 appearances between 1958 and 1967. He played alongside such legendary defensive names as Montgomery, Irwin, Ashurst, Harvey and Hurley. A left half by trade, McNab soon became a fans favourite at Roker Park, especially when he became the first choice on the left and fellow Scot, Jim Baxter on the right. He was one of the main components in Alan Brown's 1964 promotion team from the old Second Division.

His career was plagued with injuries otherwise he'd have likely featured even more, two broken legs and two broken noses during his time at SAFC hindered his appearance record! He never played internationally for Scotland, apart from at schoolboy level. He was also the first player to have his testimonial at the Stadium of Light, in 1999 when he was a substitute at the age of 49. That didn't stop him from coming on to convert a penalty though!

McNab left Wearside in 1967 to sign for Preston North End, where he would spend another seven years as a first team regular at Deepdale, playing a key part in their promotion team of 1971 which saw them lift the Third Division trophy. He ended his career in 1976 with Stockport County.

He sadly passed away aged 66 on 29th June 2006.

Jimmy McNab, 323 appearances and 18 goals.