Connolly became a player-manager with Blyth Spartans and then managed Whitley Bay, Queen of the South and St Johnstone.
Connolly was born in Barrhead, Scotland and began his football career as a junior with Glasgow United before turning professional with St Johnstone in January 1968.
[2] John Connolly's only experience of playing European football was when he was at the Muirton Park club, after they finished third in Scotland's highest division and they had managed to knock out Hamburg.
[4] In the following season, the Doonhamers won the Scottish Challenge Cup after defeating Brechin City 2–0 in the Final at Broadwood Stadium, with Andy Goram and Robbie Neilson in the starting eleven.
[4] After a disappointing first season in-charge at McDiarmid Park, Connolly was relieved of his contract on 4 April 2005,[6] as the club finished in eighth position in the 2004–05 Scottish First Division.