Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Monday, February 6, 2012
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos have signed Tam McManus to a contract for the 2012 USL PRO season. McManus must first secure his visa from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services before the deal can be approved by the USL and U.S. Soccer. Pending the outcome of McManus’s visa and league approval, he will be eligible to play for the Rhinos in all competitions in 2012. McManus is a veteran of both the Scottish Premier League and Major League Soccer.
“There are many reasons that we brought Tam to the club.” Rochester Rhinos Head Coach Jesse Myers said. “Obviously he has his proven his ability over the years. Just as importantly he’s a proven leader with a background that most of our players have never experienced. In talking with Tam he is excited to be returning to play in the States. At thirty-one I still believe that he has a few good years left.”
McManus’s professional career started with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League where he scored 19 goals in 109 appearances with the club from 1997 to 2005. McManus matured into a first-team regular with Hibs and led the team in scoring in the 2002-2003 campaign. McManus fell out of favor when Tony Mowbroy took over the managerial role at Hibernian in August 2004, and McManus moved to Dundee in the January 2005 transfer window.
McManus immediately found himself in a relegation battle when he arrived at Dundee. When the team was relegated from the Scottish Premier League at the end of the season McManus was photographed lying on the pitch in tears after the final whistle blew on the last day of the season. McManus stuck with the club until the middle of 2006, but he was released on a free transfer due to the club’s financial struggles related to relegation. McManus made 37 appearances for Dundee and scored 10 goals.
McManus last played in the United States with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids in 2008. He made 20 appearances with the club and scored six goals. McManus’s 40-yard golazo against Chivas USA won the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week award. His work ethic and blue-collar mentality made him a fan favorite with the Rapids. McManus left the Rapids after the 2008 season.
McManus has been in the Scottish First Division since he left Major League Soccer. First he signed with Ayr United and scored five goals in 17 appearances. Then he went to Falkirk and scored seven goals in 16 appearances. McManus most recently signed a short-term contract with Ayr United in late November 2011. The contract expired on January 29, 2012.