Jack McLennan, playing as a full–back, made his Accrington and League debut on 8 September 1888, at Anfield, the then home of Everton.
Jack McLennan played full–back/centre–half (18 at full–back) in an Accrington defence that achieved two clean–sheets and restricted the opposition to one–League–goal–in–a–match on five separate occasions.
On 20 October 1888 John McLellan, playing as a full–back was part of a defence that prevented The Invincibles Preston North End from scoring.
Preston North End played 27 League and FA Cup matches in Season 1888-89 and their visit to Accrington was the only time they failed to score a goal.
In season 1891–92 the Football League was expanded to 14 Clubs and McLellan played in all 26 matches with Accrington finishing 11th.