Tynesider Aidan McCaffrey made around sixty league appearances for Newcastle United before a relatively brief stint at Derby County and a much longer stay at Bristol Rovers where he played in excess of 180 league games. Having been at Torquay United on loan, he played in 58 league games for Exeter City between 1985 and 1987 before finishing his professional career with Hartlepool and Carlisle where he was later manager.  

Aidan began his career as an apprentice with Newcastle United and, after captaining the England Youth side, made 59 league games for the Magpies (scoring four goals) before moving to Derby County in August 1978 for a fee of £60,000. Staying with his new club for two seasons, he moved to Bristol Rovers in August 1980 where - either side of a short loan spell at Bristol City - he had 184 league outings with eleven goals along the way..

After a March 1985 loan move to Torquay United, Aidan arrived at St James’ Park in July 1985 and made his Exeter City debut in the win over Port Vale in the opening fixture of the season. Making 33 league appearances during 1985/86, Aidan added another 25 during the first-half of the following season before joining Hartlepool United for a fee of £3,000 in February 1987. 

Released after a handful of games, Aidan signed for Whitley Bay before returning to the professional game with Carlisle United where he combined playing with working as a youth coach. Taking over as manager of the Brunton Park club in April 1991, he remained at the helm until the arrival of new chairman Michael Knighton in September 1992.