Brendan follows 'Honest' John

Brendan Rodgers became the second Irishman to manage Liverpool after being appointed as Reds boss earlier this month – but who was the first? Liverpoolfc.tv presents the story of 'Honest' John McKenna...

John McKenna became Liverpool's inaugural boss following the formation of the club back in 1892.

Teaming up with William Barclay, the County Monaghan-born McKenna formed a joint-managerial coalition as the Reds - then playing in blue and white colours - began life in the Lancashire League.

History suggests it was the latter who adopted a more hands-on approach when it came to team matters, but the pair could not have wished for a better start to life at the helm as Liverpool recorded a 7-1 victory over Rotherham Town in a friendly at Anfield, while their first competitive game ended in an emphatic 8-0 win over Higher Walton in L4.

It was a sign of things to come as the Reds secured promotion to the Football League's Second Division at the first time of asking.

Nicknamed 'Honest John', McKenna used his connections north of the border to draft in a number of Scottish players, thus earning Liverpool the moniker 'The Team of the Macs'.

And success continued for Liverpool as they swept all before them in the Second Division, remaining undefeated throughout the 1893-94 campaign.

However, with no automatic promotion system in place, the Reds had to face Newton Heath in a play-off match for the right to be elevated into the top flight.

The team now known as Manchester United had finished bottom of Division One, and were promptly dispatched 2-0 by Liverpool at Ewood Park.

Upon returning to the city, the glorious players were carried through the streets on the shoulders of ecstatic fans.

The 1893-94 season was also notable for Liverpool's first ever involvement with the FA Cup, though despite an impressive second-round victory over Preston North End - known back then as the invincible - at Anfield, the Reds were eliminated at the next hurdle by Bolton.

Naturally, life in Division One proved tougher for McKenna, Barclay and co and the Anfield men were relegated after finishing at the foot of the table.

McKenna moved to bolster the ranks ahead of the return to the Second Division - and the team were quick to state their intentions as they won their first five matches at a canter.

Liverpool ended the season in first position following a term that included the club's record league victory - a 10-1 mauling of Rotherham Town at Anfield in February 1896.

However, they were required to compete in a four-team play-off along with Manchester City, Small Heath and West Bromwich Albion.

Nonetheless, the Reds prevailed and were heading back into the top-tier, though it would prove to be McKenna and Barclay's last act as managers as Tom Watson took over at the helm in the summer of 1896.

McKenna later had two spells as Liverpool's chairman in 1909-14 and 1917-1919 and remained an Anfield director until 1921.

The Irishman's achievements at Anfield did not go unnoticed outside of L4 and he was elected to the Football League's management committee in 1902.

He became vice-president in 1908 and two years later he was appointed president - a position he would hold for over two decades until his death in March 1936, aged 82.

Following his passing, McKenna's coffin was carried through the streets of Liverpool by three Reds players and three Everton players.

A commemorative plaque in homage to McKenna remains on display at Anfield, while in August 2011, fans in his home village of Glaslough in County Monaghan unveiled a similar tribute in honour of his achievements.