Born in Youghal, Ireland, Scannell began his career in England with Essex-based club Tilbury.
[1] Whilst at Southend, Scannell made 98 Football League appearances at the club,[2] conceding 148 goals in his first 100 games in all competitions and keeping 31 clean sheets.
[4] On 7 March 1954, aged 29, Scannell made a solitary senior appearance for the Republic of Ireland national football team, starting in an experimental line-up that defeated Luxembourg 1–0 in a World Cup qualifier.
[5] Scannell and his wife Peggy had five children, one of whom, Tony, was an actor, best known for his role as Detective Sergeant Ted Roach in the television series The Bill.
[6] Another son of Scannell's, John, was a semi-professional goalkeeper, who played for Herne Bay and Whitstable Town.