[2] During his career, McCracken captained both English club Newcastle United and the Ireland national side.

[6][7] During World War I he helped to arrange two fundraising matches featuring top players and turned out for the England XI in both, facing Ireland on the second occasion.

[8][9] His Ireland teammates included Archie Goodall, Billy Scott, Jack Kirwan and Robert Milne.

So successful was McCracken's defensive ploy that the Offside Law was changed to "two defenders" between the foremost attacker and the goal line".

[10][11] Illustrious Italian coach Vittorio Pozzo, who had personally seen him play, praised McCracken, in his own words, as the 'master of fuori-giuoco (offside)'.