James McGarry (Brisbane Roar | A-Leagues)

McGarry just has no luck. Kallithea lost 1-3 overnight.

McGarry shouldn't be far off a return. 

Start of Relegation Round. Kallithea (11th) host Volos (10th)

1-1 draw, still no McGarry.

Relegation 6th pointer. Athens Kallithea (11th/2nd last) travel to Lamia (12th)

Still no McGarry as Kallithea win 2-0

Athens Kallithea (12th/3rd last) travel to Panserraikos (11th )

Athens Kallithea lose 3-1 to go 13th & into the drop zone. Still no McGarry.

AK down to 10 men at 51 mins, and kept it 1-1 til 84 mins.

Recently recalled Socceroo Jason Davidson a full game for Panserraikos.

Athens Kallithea (13th/2nd last) host one of Themi's old clubs Levadiakos (10th).

AK 2 pts from safety (12th on the ladder), with 7 games left.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/04/23/greece/super-league/gs-kallithea/levadiakos-fc/4627070/

Returns from injury
On at 62 mins (0-2) in a 0-3 loss

Stoked he’s back and into the match day squad

Athens Kallithea (13th/14th) host Panaitolikos (10th).
AK 5 pts from safety (teams 13th & 14th get relegated), but still 5 games left.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/05/05/greece/super-league/gs-kallithea/panaitolikos-agrinio/4627075/

McGarry starts and gets 79 mins in a 0-0 draw.

Another Kiwi in Europe who's (loan) team is struggling to stay up.

Athens Kallithea (13th/2nd last) travel to Levadiakos (9th). 4 games left, AK 4 pts from safety.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/05/10/greece/super-league/levadiakos-fc/gs-kallithea/4627077/

Edit - another start for Jimmy Mc in a back 3/5

McGarry off at 76 mins (AK down 2-0), as 10 man Athens Kallithea get thrashed 4-1.

Red card was at 62 mins with AK down 1-0. Some hot headed Frenchmen had come off the bench only 5 mins earlier, to pick up 2 yellows in quick succession and see you later.

Athens Kallithea (14th/2nd last) look doomed for the drop now. 3 games left, but 7 pts from safety.

Good to see McGarry getting some mins at a reasonable level. Helps I'm guessing that AK play with wing backs (back 3/5). Wonder where he goes to next? Unlikely to be a Dons return. 

Niche Cache

There was also a decent 75 minutes for James McGarry for Athens Kallithea this week. Decent for him because that’s two extended starts in a row for the fella having recently come back from two months out injured. Could have been more than decent if he’d scored instead of hitting the woodwork with a first-half header.

But it wasn’t decent for his team as they lost 4-1 (two of those goals scored after McGarry was replaced) away to Levadiakos. Kallithea have three games left and are seven points away from safety. They’ll probably be relegated next week. McGarry’s only on loan there, with one more season on his Aberdeen deal... though there’s little chance of the Dons bringing him back.

Athens Kallithea (13th/2nd last) host Panserraikos (11th).
Must win for AK, who do look doomed for the drop

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/05/14/greece/super-league/gs-kallithea/panserraikos-fc/4627080/

McGarry 85 mins (1-1) in a 1-1 draw.
Recently recalled Socceroo Jason Davidson a full game for Panserraikos.

Result confirms that Athens Kallithea are relegated. Two matches left.

Relegated Athens Kallithea (13th) travel to Volos (11th). McGarry may not get any mins, noting he's unlikely to return to AK next season.

McGarry an unused sub in a 2-0 win. With AK relegated, and Jimmy M most certainly moving on you can't blame their coach for not playing him. One game left.

Final game of the season for Athens Kallithea (13th) as they host the other relegated club Lamia (14th/last)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/05/22/greece/super-league/gs-kallithea/lamia/4627086/

So McGarry gets a run in what his likely his last match in Athens.
On at HT (1-0), in a 3-0 win.

So back to Aberdeen to sort out his future. Another loan deal, or maybe a mutual release?

A return to the Nix? Get the feeling Chiefy would better suit him, than the rigid Uffie.

I'm fine with this move, just as long as he doesn't score against us for a third rival A-League team :)

He is going to have a fantastic season for them while we struggle with LKH at left back, but everyone on here will bleat that we couldn't have signed him because he had injuries in the past

imanixsupporter

He is going to have a fantastic season for them while we struggle with LKH at left back, but everyone on here will bleat that we couldn't have signed him because he had injuries in the past

Injuries are not the issue with re-signing McGarry, it is finding a defensive system that can cover up his defensive frailties when you play him at LB. So far, only Monty has managed to do that with him.

I hope youre right, i hope there are legitimate sporting reasons why we havent signed him, and that it isnt just that we wanted him but instantaneously admitted defeat in our attempts to get him as soon as there was any competition

I hope Chiefy or Gill or Domey are asked about whether we were in for him or not

imanixsupporter

I hope Chiefy or Gill or Domey are asked about whether we were in for him or not

I imagine they were not interested due to his fitness while here. 
I also think that second stints don't often work out well (see Kosta's second spell for instance). 

As an AW fan, I am happy knowing that he should be a regular starter (if fit) next season. 
As A Nix fan I'm happy he's not at the Nix for his fitness and the reasons given above.

Did we want to be in for him? I'd rather LKH get starting minutes tbh.

I'd just like to hear the reasoning from them about if they had any interest in signing him, why or why not, and if they did, why were they not successful in signing him. 

Marto

imanixsupporter

I hope Chiefy or Gill or Domey are asked about whether we were in for him or not

I imagine they were not interested due to his fitness while here. 
I also think that second stints don't often work out well (see Kosta's second spell for instance). 

As an AW fan, I am happy knowing that he should be a regular starter (if fit) next season. 
As A Nix fan I'm happy he's not at the Nix for his fitness and the reasons given above.

McGarry’s already had 2 stints with the Nix

Nelfoos

Did we want to be in for him? I'd rather LKH get starting minutes tbh.

The player who wasn’t trusted at LB for the entirety of last season and ended up as a midfielder and winger as a result?
No one currently is in for LKH as an import, let alone twice, has given him contracts in Holland or Scotland, nor has he won any trophies. 
I mean it’s true McGarry didn’t command a starting spot with us under Uffie, but given the limitations in his play that are abundantly clear to everyone, he’s got quite a reasonable list of achievements. He’s clearly better than LKH. I’m not devastated he didn’t sign, but I would be if this was the reasoning.

Wasn't trusted, or had Sutton there in front of him?

I've seen enough of McGarry to know his defensive frailties are the last thing we need to be adding to our backline this season. He might be better right now, but there are far more pressing areas of the squad to address that we don't have promising youngsters ready to start in.

Nelfoos

Wasn't trusted, or had Sutton there in front of him?

I've seen enough of McGarry to know his defensive frailties are the last thing we need to be adding to our backline this season. He might be better right now, but there are far more pressing areas of the squad to address that we don't have promising youngsters ready to start in.

I mean both. 
But to say we’re fine, we’ve got LKH might have been okay after his first season, but last season he hardly played left back and didn’t do well when he did.

McGarry may not be the answer, but LKH sure isn’t and saying he is is the worst of Chief-ball from our bad season. 

If Loke is trusted, I’d like some utility who can cover him so he’s not left holding the bag.

That's ridiculously harsh

McGarry is too injury prone to warrant going after. When was the last time he played 80% of a season. Went to Greece, got injured. Story of his career unfortunately.

Also, never seen a professional so one footed. His right is literally there for standing on. Watching him trying to curl a cross in with the outside of his left foot, because he can't hit off his right is a site I don't need again.

LKH has potential. Decent touch, technical skill, but he needs to get better in the air for a big guy and develop some mongrel about him as a defender.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/06/21/all-whites-james-mcgarry-leaves-scotland-to-join-a-leagues-brisbane-roar/

The Roar are his fourth A-League club after stints at the Wellington Phoenix, Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners.

Roar head coach Michael Valkanis said: “James’ experience and ability to get up and down the wings from defence makes him a fantastic signing for the football club.

“In addition to this, James knows what it takes week in week out to win a championship in this competition and bringing that mentality into the changeroom makes him an invaluable addition to the squad.”

McGarry said he was looking forward to playing for his new club.

“Given my experience playing A-League football, I’m confident that I can hit the ground running and play the level of football that the club and city deserve.

“I’m hungry to win at Brisbane Roar in 25-26, and I’m ready to give my all to ensure that is the case. I can’t wait to get going.”

Farewelling McGarry, Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin wished him well.

“A culmination of frustrating injuries and the form of Jack MacKenzie made life a little difficult for James, but I have never had any complaints about his attitude or professionalism,” Thelin told the Aberdeen website.

“Sometimes things just don’t quite go the way everyone plans when a player makes a move, and I think that is the case here.

“He has a lot of experience in the A-League and with a fresh start, I am sure he’ll do well there. He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for his future career.”

Nelfoos

That's ridiculously harsh

What part? 
It’s mostly factual. LKH wasn’t trusted at LB the majority of last season, after a promising debut in his first season. He certainly didn’t seem to grow in his game or challenge Sutton for the position he’d previously kept him out of. 

Pretending that a player is ready to take sole responsibility at A league level when they clearly aren’t was a problem, as was underwhelming solutions to gaps in the squad. 

Completely agree. I feel  for LKH as he was played everywhere last season but he is not the answer to the LwB position. To succeed in the A League he needs to grow into his frame and be played in his natural position. Its not his fault he wasnt ready and was played all over the park.