This is my the 3rd great-nephew of wife of 2nd cousin 2x removed of wife of uncle of wife of 1st cousin 7x removed. His name is John "Jackie" Knight Mudie. As well as the familal connection, I was also interested to learn Jackie's connection with Stoke on Trent.
Jackie was born on 10 April 1930 in Dundee in Scotland, to Thomas Keir Guthrie Mudie and Joan McInally. He had 6 brothers and 1 sister.
Jackie is known as a Scottish International footballer who played as a forward. He won 17 caps for his country and helped the Scottish team qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
I have taken my information from the website https://peoplepill.com/people/jackie-mudie/
Jackie began like any young aspiring footballer, playing for junior sides in Scotland: Lochee Harp and Stobswell Juniors.
Jackie joined Blackpool in 1946 and turned professional the following year. He helped the club have its most professional decade. Blackpool reached the FA Cup Final twice, once in 1951 and again 1953 which resulted in the club's victory.
In 1954 Jackie married Brenda Rushforth, and the couple went on to have 2 sons.
In 1961 Jackie moved to Stoke City; he spent the summer playing in Canada with (Sir) Stanley Matthews. In 1963 Jackie made what could have been seen a controversial move to Port Vale, the rivals of Stoke City. By 1965 Jackie was acting as player-manager with Stanley Matthews. In 1967 he resigned, citing personal reasons, but this may have had to do with club losses.
Jackie retired in Stoke on Trent and went on to become a painter and decorator. He still kept his hand in the football world, by brief spells as a coach, including one in the USA and some time scouting in South Africa.
Jackie died on 02 March 1992, with his son becoming a director of Port Vale.
