George McLachlan

Born in Glasgow, McLachlan began his football career at Crosshill Amateurs before spending time with junior sides Parkhead and Rutherglen Glencairn. He later played for the junior teams of Scottish Football League sides Queens Park and Celtic. With the latter, he stayed for only two weeks before joining Clyde. During his amateur career, McLachlan also worked in a number of different jobs, including as a draughtsman and a sailor. McLachlan spent three years with the then Shawfield Stadium football club, interrupted by a short loan spell at King's Park Strollers.

Cardiff City

Many English Football League clubs were interested in signing McLachlan but, in November 1926, he joined for Football League First Division side Cardiff City for £2,000 (approximately £125,000 in 1925). He was persuaded to join City as his father was captain of a ship that regularly called at Cardiff docks. He was the third Scottish player to join the club in short succession, signing soon after Joe Cassidy and Hughie Ferguson. The trio cost a combined fee of £10,000, with Ferguson accounting for half. McLachlan made his debut for Cardiff alongside Ferguson as the attacking trio combined in a 5–2 victory over Leicester City. His first goal for the club came on 16 January 1926, when he scored Cardiff's goal in a 1–1 draw with Everton. He added a brace three weeks later during a 4–1 win over Blackburn Rovers, while the Daily Herald reported that "he delighted City's supporters with his fine…

McLachlan had a spell as player-manager with French second tier side Le Havre in 1934–35. He proved relatively successful with the side and led the league during the early stages of the season. Although initially intending only to coach at the club, McLachlan did play for the side during the campaign as a centre-half. He was offered a further contract, but his ambition was to manage a Scottish First Division side. In 1935, McLachlan was the successful applicant out of almost one hundred who applied for the job as manager of top division Dumfries side, Queen of the South. His appointment was announced on 29 June. He was one of two applicants on the final shortlist, beating out Queen's Park trainer Bert Manderson who decided to remain with his side. In his first season, McLachlan led the club to a 15th-placed finish. At the end of the campaign, the club undertook an 11-game 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Spanish side Racing Santander in the final. The following season saw further struggles as the club finished in 18th position. On 22 March 1937, with five games remaining of the 1936–37 season, it was announced that McLachlan would be leaving the club on 30 March. The week was intended to allow the outgoing manager to offer advice on team building for the next season. Willie Ferguson was named as McLachlan's successor.

McLachlan moved to Glasgow following his departure from Queen of the South and briefly reported on matches for The Sunday Post. He took up employment as a draughtsman for Babcock & Wilcox until 1947 when he took up a role with Farrel Corporation in Derby, Connecticut. McLachlan later became a French teacher in the Connecticut school system having picked up the language during his time with Le Havre. In 1964, he underwent exploratory surgery due to a persistent stomach complaint. The surgery discovered inoperable cancer and McLachlan died in September the same year at his home in Branford, Connecticut.

Cardiff City

FA Cup: 1926–27 FA Charity Shield: 1927