Kevin Clifton "Ted" McMinn (born 28 September 1962) is a Scottish former association footballer who played as a winger.
[1] Born in Castle Douglas and raised in nearby Dumfries,[1] McMinn was alleged by The Scotsman to be called 'Teddy' at school because he ran as if he had a teddy bear tucked under his arm.
[1] McMinn joined Glenafton from Dumfries High School FPs along with teammate Stewart Cochrane.
[1][3] McMinn returned to Palmerston Park under the new regime of Norman Blount to play for a Queen of the South select on 23 April 1995.
[1] When later interviewed for the club, Jimmy Robertson, Alan Davidson and George Cloy were among those McMinn named as the best players he played beside at Palmerston.
McMinn was also noted for his performances against Rangers' rivals Celtic, playing in a number of Old Firm matches including the 1986/87 League Cup final win.
A Spanish journalist observed, "With his inelegant Tin Man running style, erratic crossing and unquenchable zest for lager, he was the soul of football.
[1] McMinn emulated fellow ex Queen of the South player Hughie Gallacher by joining Derby County.
[1][8] In November 1989 – with McMinn on the verge of a call-up to the national side ahead of the 1990 FIFA World Cup – he was struck by a serious knee injury in an away game against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Rams were relegated at the end of the 1990–91 season (with McMinn making his return to the side in the January), just after Maxwell sold the club to new owner Lionel Pickering.
[1] McMinn was back to his best form in 1991–92 when he was named as the club's player of the year, having helped them to the playoff semi finals.
[9] In November 2004 Igor Stimac was voted Derby County's all-time cult hero by BBC's Football Focus viewers.
[1][11] Despite only two seasons at Turf Moor McMinn came third in the BBC Football Focus Burnley cult heroes poll behind Jimmy McIlroy and Leighton James.
Ted McMinn ended his playing career with Australian club ECU Joondalup and then Slough Town.
After an unremarkable start to the season Wright parted with the club in December amid allegations of racial abuse against a match official.
McMinn then opted to have more of his leg removed in a bid to gain more mobility and independence with a prosthetic limb.
[17] Terry Butcher recalled after the benefit game, "Nigel Spackman said to the physio (at the match) he had a tight calf, Ted said 'So have I' and lifted his trouser leg up and there is just the metal stump there.
"[1] To coincide with the benefit game McMinn embarked on a 300-mile sponsored bike ride from Glasgow to Derby to help raise money for the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary's limbs unit.