[5] However, because of his no-nonsense attitude and uncompromising style as a defender, McGrath soon became a real favourite with the "Toon Army" after new manager Joe Harvey "got him more aggressive".
Seventh and eighth-place finishes followed in 1962–63 and 1963–64, before McGrath was an ever-present as United were crowned champions of the Second Division in 1964–65, a single point ahead of second-placed Northampton Town.
[5] Overall, McGrath played 179 league and cup games for the Geordies, scoring two goals, before making the long trip to Southampton in February 1968 for £30,000.
During a match against Liverpool in September 1970, McGrath collided with Alun Evans in mid-air and was accused by manager Bill Shankly of playing "alehouse football".
[2] In December 1973, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, after manager Pat Saward struggled to find a reliable centre-back partner for Norman Gall following an injury to Ian Goodwin.
[5] McGrath remained somewhat of a cult hero with The Dell faithful during what was a difficult time for the club, as he also made his mark as a very shrewd coach.
[8] McGrath offloaded many under-performing players, transfer-listing fifteen of them, and signed goalkeeper Mark Harrison and defender Lee Harwood from Southampton.
[8] He raised publicity by placing 15 players on the transfer list and linking the club with audacious signings, whilst he was quick to give the press a witty remark.
[10] McGrath spent the 1980–81 season attempting to whip his charges into shape, whilst Vale fans patiently awaited the true results of a manager they quickly built faith in.
[8] During the season, he handed Mark Chamberlain (brother of top-scorer Neville) his debut and brought talented winger Johnny Miller to Burslem.
[8] He built for the 1981–82 season by signing defender Ray Deakin from Everton; midfielder Geoff Hunter from Crewe Alexandra for £12,000; and forwards Ernie Moss from Chesterfield for £12,000 and Jimmy Greenhoff from the Toronto Blizzard.
[8] He did, though manage to blood young striker Mark Bright and the following season handed Robbie Earle his debut, both of whom would become top-flight footballers.
[8] He made five free signings: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), Steve Waddington (Walsall), and Barry Siddall (Sunderland).
[8] Vale went top of the table despite a goalkeeping crisis which saw Barry Siddall, Neville Southall, Neil McAdam, and Andy Poole between the sticks at different points in the campaign.
[8] He bought striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, whilst letting Ernie Moss go to Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee after judging him to be too old to be of any further use.
[8] The following season, however, McGrath conflicted with chairman Jim Lloyd, who instructed him to speak to the press only on team matters; numerous players also were disgruntled over contract issues.
[7] McGrath had made some poor choices during his final months at the club, signing Ireland international striker Eamonn O'Keefe from Wigan Athletic for £10,000 only to play him in midfield, and allowing player unrest to fester as several rejected new contracts and four stayed at the club on weekly contracts – this was despite Vale paying the third-highest wage bill in the division (£9,000 a week).
McGrath added experience in players such as John Butcher, Steve Fox, Mick Speight and Nigel Walker but Chester continued to struggle at the wrong end of the table.
Although results were not always impressive, McGrath began to mould the side that would go on to win promotion in 1985–86 after further strengthening by Mick Speight and Harry McNally.
[5] With the newly laid plastic pitch already installed McGrath assembled a squad of free transfer old pros, lower league journeymen and young cast-offs to fire the team to promotion in his first season.