Career
McAlle joined Wolves as an apprentice in July 1965, turning professional in February 1967. After a period playing in the reserve league, he made his first team debut on 29 April 1968, in a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea. He only appeared sporadically (mostly as a substitute) in the following years, but became a first-team regular in the 1970-1971 season.
Known to his team-mates as Scouse, McAlle was the club"s first-choice centre-back throughout most of the 1970s.
His position at Molineux was weakened by the arrival of Emlyn Hughes in 1979, after which he was largely used as a substitute. His career took a further downturn when he broke his leg coming on as a sub playing against Watford in February 1980, which kept him out for 11 months.
He returned for the second half of the 1980-1981 season and managed to retain his place in the starting line-up. The defender"s long association with Wolves finally ended in August 1981, when he joined Sheffield United for £10,000 after he was not offered a contract extension.
In total McAlle played 508 games for the Midlanders, making him the fifth highest-serving player in their history.
John"s last ever professional match came for Derby against Barnsley in March 1984 wearing the number 10 shirt. He finished his playing career at non-league Harrisons Football Club, based in Wolverhampton. McAlle moved into landscape gardening after football, but has since retired and lives in Brewood, South Staffordshire.
In recognition of his outstanding service to Wolverhampton Wanderers he was inducted into their "Hall Of Fame" in May 2015.