- Archie McLean
Archie McLean (1894-1971) was a
mechanic and footballer fromPaisley, Scotland . Hisemigration in 1912 toSao Paulo, Brazil led to the adoption by the locals of a very fast, short-passing style of play which would later come to characteriseBrazil ian football.In Sao Paulo, McLean's football career flourished and he became known, on the pitch, as "Veadinho" (the little deer). He is now regarded as the father of Brazilian football.
Early career
McLean was a machine mechanic working for J & P Coats, a
textile company.McLean had played for the
Ayr team that amalgamated with Parkhouse to formAyr United , as well as for Galston and Johnstone. With Johnstone he had won theConsolation Cup in 1912.The Scottish Wanderers
McLean was transferred to Sao Paolo in 1912. Initially he had planned for only a three-month stay.
Shortly after taking up residence there, McLean founded an
ex-pat s' football team, the Scottish Wanderers. They played in the local Sao Paulo State League.McLean's performances caught the attention of the Brazilian public within a year. He was picked for the Sao Paulo state team against
Rio de Janeiro .Later career and death
McLean's involvement at the highest level of Brazilian football ended in the mid-1920s.
McLean died of
throat cancer at 84 years of age.References
*
*
*
*
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
