John James (English footballer)

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For other people of the same name, see John James (disambiguation)
John James
Personal information
Full name John Brian Jones
Date of birth October 24, 1948 (1948-10-24) (age 59)
Place of birth    Stone, Staffordshire, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Retired
Youth clubs
1964–1966 Port Vale
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1966–1973
1973–1975
1975–1978
1976
1978–?		 Port Vale
Chester
Tranmere Rovers
→ Chicago Sting (loan)
Stafford Rangers		 210 0(39)
98 00(40)
73 00(24)
9 00 (4)
   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

John James (born 24 October 1948, Stone, Staffordshire) is a former English professional footballer who played as a striker. He played in The Football League for three clubs, making 381 appearances in the process, and also played in the North American Soccer League.

[edit] Playing career

James began his career in his native Staffordshire with Port Vale, turning professional in April 1966. He went on to make more than 200 Football League appearances for Vale, including 43 in the club’s promotion season from Division Four in 1969–70.

In February 1973, James moved to Chester for £5,000 [1], playing his first game alongside fellow home debutant Reg Matthewson in a 5–0 win over Darlington that saw James amongst the scorers [2]. The following season saw James net 21 league goals, the highest tally by a Chester player since Gary Talbot in 1968–69[3], but his most memorable campaign would follow in 1974–75.

James struck 13 times as Chester won promotion from Division Four, but he was to enjoy national fame thanks to his goalscoring exploits in the Football League Cup during the same season [4]. After wins over Walsall, Blackpool and Preston North End, Chester were drawn at home to Division One champions Leeds United. On a momentous night, Chester recorded a shock 3–0 win, with James scoring twice. He followed it up by scoring the winning goal in the quarter-finals against another top-flight side, Newcastle United [5] to set up a semi-final tie with Aston Villa. James found the net in the second leg to level the aggregate score at 4–4, only for Brian Little to grab a late Villa winner and breaks Chester’s hearts [6].

Despite his contribution to Chester’s success, James played just two first-team games for Chester after promotion and joined Tranmere Rovers in part-exchange for Paul Crossley in September 1975 [7]. Once more promotion from the Fourth Division was enjoyed, with James netting 19 times in 38 league games. After a spell playing for Chicago Sting in the North American Soccer League [8], he returned to Prenton Park and remained at the club before joining non-league Stafford Rangers in 1978 [9].

James later moved to Torquay to run a newsagents [10].

James is now a part of the Plymouth Argyle youth coaching setup under Paul Sturrock

[edit] Honours

Port Vale

Chester

Tranmere Rovers

[edit] References

  1. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, p.85. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  2. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, p.85. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  3. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  4. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, p.88–90. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  5. ^ Chester 1 Newcastle United 0. football-england.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
  6. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, p.90. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  7. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. Yore Publications, p.91. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  8. ^ Chicago Sting All-Time Player Roster 1975–1994. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
  9. ^ Tranmere Rovers 1946/47 – 2006/07. Neil Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
  10. ^ Caught in Time. TimesOnline. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.