Leicester City In 100 Players: Alexander ‘Sandy’ McLaren

When 22 year-old goalkeeper Alexander ‘Sandy’ McLaren moved to Leicester City from St. Johnstone in February 1933, the transfer was described at the time as ‘one of the best captures from Scotland this season.’ 

Before coming to Filbert Street, Sandy had already played 244 games for the Saints, having made his debut as a 16 year-old. He was also a Scotland international with five caps, having made his international debut at the age of 18. 

Sandy made 256 appearances for Leicester City until the outbreak of the war in September, 1939. 

This total included a sequence of 109 consecutive appearances, which included his debut against Everton when he conceded six goals. 

Sandy joined City when they were bottom of the First Division. His time at Filbert Street included the Club’s first-ever FA Cup Semi-Final, relegation, promotion as Second Division champions and relegation again in 1939. Soon afterwards, the outbreak of the war caused the cancellation of the Football League programme for the next seven years. 

Despite these ups and downs, and despite the tragedy of the death of his seven-year-old daughter Lexi from scarlet fever in 1938, Sandy’s outstanding performances consistently attracted an admiring national press.

He was praised for his great anticipation, his calmness under pressure, his strong punch, (rated as the best in the league) and his dominating presence. Sports reports included such comments as: ‘His display was outstanding’, ‘There isn’t a better goalkeeper in the country’, ‘The hero of the game was Sandy McLaren’, and ‘The giant Leicester keeper has on countless occasions saved points for his side.’ 

Despite these accolades, Sandy never played for Scotland again. This was probably because at the time, Scots playing in England tended to be overlooked by the Scottish selectors. 

Following the start of war in September, 1939, Sandy continued to play for the Club in the Wartime Midland Region League throughout the first wartime season before returning to Scotland with his family. 

After playing briefly for Morton and for the Aidrieonians, he enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1941 for the remainder of the conflict. He was demobilised in 1945, played seven games for St. Johnstone, and then retired to become a fireman and, later, a policeman for the Ministry of Defence. 

He died from bronchial pneumonia in 1960, aged 49. However, his place in the pantheon of great Leicester City goalkeepers, which includes Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, Mark Wallington and Kasper Schmeichel, is secure.