| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Oakes | ||
| Date of birth | 5 November 1902 | ||
| Place of birth | Hanley, Staffordshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 7 November 1992 (aged 90) | ||
| Place of death | Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, England | ||
| Playing position | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bethesda Mission | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| Milton Albion | |||
| 1923–1933 | Port Vale | 288 | (33) |
| Charlton Athletic | |||
| Total | 288+ | (33+) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
James (Jimmy) Oakes (5 November 1902 – 7 November 1992) was an English footballer who played as a left back for Port Vale between 1923 and 1933.
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He was noted as being a clean player, who never resorted to rough player or dirty tricks.[1]
Oakes played for Bethesda Mission and Milton Albion before joining Port Vale as an amateur in August 1923, signing as a professional in November of that year. He became a regular in the side from October 1924. His career survived a cartilage operation in November 1928 as he returned to regular football four months later and was a key figure of the 1929–30 Football League Third Division North winning side. He managed a rare feat in scoring from his own half in a 2–1 home defeat to Stockport County on Christmas Day 1929, albeit with help from the wind. As the club were in the midst of a financial crisis he was sold to Charlton Athletic for £3,000 in January 1933.
With the Addicks he became the first player to play for the opposing club in a re-arranged match. He played for Charlton in their 2–1 home win over Vale after the original fixture was abandoned on the previous Boxing Day.[2]
When World War II was upon the country, Oakes guested for Vale in March 1940 and later Stoke City.[3]
Oakes was a pigeon fancier, as was his father.[1]