Complex sentence: Signing on as an apprentice in July 1977 McAteer turned pro a year later and made his Preston North End debut as an eighteen year old on Boxing Day 1979 in a 3-0 home win over Shrewsbury Town.
Split into simpler sentences: Signing on as an apprentice in July 1977, McAteer turned professional a year later. He made his Preston North End debut as an 18-year-old on Boxing Day 1979 in a 3-0 home win over Shrewsbury Town.