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James McMullan (26 March 1895 – 28 November 1964) was a Scottish football player and manager. He won 16 Scotland caps as a player at half-back and was part of the famous "Wembley Wizards" side of 1928.
In the close season of 1921 McMullan became embroiled in controversy. Partick turned down a £5,000 offer from Newcastle United for his signature and the player, determined to play in English football, signed for non-league Maidstone United as player-manager. James McMullan Tells His Own Story | Bound South, The Weekly News, 16 July 1921, via Partick Thistle History Archive He returned to the Glasgow club in the summer of 1923. Football, Kent & Sussex Courier, 23 July 1923, via Partick Thistle History Archive In February 1926 he eventually earned his long-desired move to the Football League aged 30, when Manchester City signed him for £4,700.
McMullan reached an FA Cup final with City again in 1933 but the team were defeated by Everton 3–0. Many of his teammates would be part of the City team which won the FA Cup the following year. However, after 242 League and Cup appearances, McMullan departed Manchester City in May 1933.
McMullan helped Scotland to victory in the 1925 British Home Championship and was part of the Scotland team which defeated England 2–0. He was also part of the team which won the 1926 British Home Championship appearing in the 1–0 victory against England at Old Trafford and in the 3–0 victory against Wales at Ninian Park. In the 1927 British Home Championship, McMullan featured twice for Scotland in a 3–0 victory against Wales and a 2–1 defeat to England at Hampden Park. Despite this defeat, Scotland won the championship again that season.
In the 1928 British Home Championship, McMullan captained Scotland as they defeated England 5–1 at Wembley Stadium with a hat-trick from Alex Jackson and a brace from Alex James. As a result of the resounding victory, the Scotland team were dubbed the "Wembley Wizards". Despite this victory Wales won the championship that season. McMullan captained Scotland to victory the following season in the 1929 British Home Championship.
After a brief spell there, he was appointed the first-ever manager of Aston Villa in 1934 (before his appointment, the team was selected by a committee). However, the move proved disastrous, resulting in Villa's first ever relegation in 1935–36 after 61 years in the top flight.
McMullan later managed Notts County (1936–37) and Sheffield Wednesday (1937–1939). He died on 28 November 1964 in Sheffield (the same day as another former Sheffield Wednesday manager, Billy Walker).
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