John McCartney was one of the players who helped Liverpool establish themselves during the club’s formative years, remaining at Anfield through two promotions, a relegation and the arrival of Tom Watson. A forceful half-back, usually stationed on the right, he brought experience from Newmilns and St Mirren when he joined Liverpool in October 1892. Although a member of Liverpool’s inaugural squad, McCartney didn't feature in their opening matches. His debut came in the club’s first FA Cup tie, a 4–0 victory at Nantwich on 15 October 1892. With James Smith unavailable through an ankle injury, Liverpool introduced their new Scottish recruit, whose performance earned a favourable assessment from the Liverpool Mercury. Two weeks later, McCartney scored his first Liverpool goal in a 9–0 FA Cup victory over Newtown. He went on to make 21 competitive appearances during the season as Liverpool won the Lancashire League.
McCartney remained part of the side as Liverpool entered the Football League and won the Second Division championship without losing a match in 1893/94. Promotion was not automatic: Liverpool also had to overcome Newton Heath in a Test match to secure their place in the First Division. Their first experience of the top flight proved difficult, however, and relegation followed a defeat by Bury in the following season’s Test match. Liverpool recovered to win another Second Division title in 1895/96. McCartney made 22 League appearances and played in all four promotion Test matches against Small Heath and West Bromwich Albion. He also supplied an important goal in the opening Test, scoring Liverpool’s second in a 4–0 victory over Small Heath at Anfield on 18 April 1896. The Mercury described a flowing attacking move involving Jimmy Ross and Malcolm McVean before McCartney provided the finish.
When Watson took charge in 1896, McCartney offered continuity with Liverpool’s earliest days. He played every league match in 1896/97 as the club finished fifth, demonstrating that he could hold his place in a much stronger First Division side. His uncompromising methods sometimes attracted criticism, however. In September 1896, the Cricket and Football Field complained that he continued to trouble Liverpool’s committee: "John McCartney still vexes his own committee by resorting to those tactics which have previously brought the club into bad repute." His combative style became a talking point during the goalless Merseyside derby at Anfield on 21 November 1896. Everton’s Alf Milward was sent off for deliberately kicking him early in the second half. Milward subsequently apologised but maintained that McCartney had provoked him. Contemporary reporting also accused McCartney of a later challenge which left Jack Bell briefly unable to continue, illustrating the physical nature of the encounter. McCartney’s standing at Anfield was reflected in his captaincy and a benefit match against New Brighton Tower on 6 September 1897. Liverpool won 4–1, with the gate receipts set aside for their skipper. Among the opposition was Milward, the player dismissed for kicking him less than a year earlier. The Mercury’s description of McCartney as a popular captain provides a warmer counterpoint to the criticism of his tackling.
After making 27 league appearances in his final season, McCartney left Liverpool for New Brighton Tower in the summer of 1898. His six seasons at Anfield produced 166 competitive appearances and seven goals. He had helped Liverpool progress from Lancashire League newcomers to an established Football League club, serving as both a durable half-back and one of their earliest captains.
