James Westland (footballer)

James Westland (21 July 1916 – February 1972) was a footballer who played in the Football League for Mansfield Town and Stoke City.[1]

James Westland
Personal information
Full name James Westland[1]
Date of birth 21 July 1916[1]
Place of birth Aberdeen, Scotland[1]
Date of death February 1972 (aged 55)[1]
Place of death Newcastle-under-Lyme, England[1]
Height 5 ft 9+12 in (1.77 m)[2]
Position(s) Inside-left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Inchgarth
Banks O' Dee
1934–1935 Aberdeen 3 (2)
1935–1938 Stoke City 60 (16)
1946 Mansfield Town 10 (0)
Total 73 (18)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

Born in Aberdeen Westland started playing football for Scottish Junior clubs Inchgarth and Banks O' Dee before joining Aberdeen in 1934 along with his brother Douglas.[1] He played three times for the "Dons" scoring twice and impressed watching scouts from English Football League side Stoke City who signed Westland and his brother.[1] His time at the "Potters" saw him playing alongside greats such as Stanley Matthews, Tommy Sale and Freddie Steele and Westland found it hard to establish himself into the starting eleven.[1] He scored four goals in 14 matches in 1935–36 and played 23 games in 1936–37 again scoring four goals. In 1937–38 he played in 25 matches scoring seven goals including a hat-trick in an 8–1 victory over Derby County. In 1938–39 he played just twice scoring once. He continued to play for the club during the World War II before joining Mansfield Town in 1946.

Personal life edit

His brother Douglas was also a footballer who played for Aberdeen and Stoke City.[1]

Career statistics edit

Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aberdeen 1934–35 Scottish Division One 3 2 0 0 3 2
Total 3 2 0 0 3 2
Stoke City[1] 1935–36 First Division 14 4 0 0 14 4
1936–37 First Division 21 4 2 0 23 4
1937–38 First Division 23 7 2 0 25 7
1938–39 First Division 2 1 0 0 2 1
Total 60 16 4 0 64 16
Mansfield Town 1946–47 Third Division North 10 0 1 0 11 0
Career Total 73 18 5 0 78 18

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ "Stoke City. Record-breaking staff re-engaged for this season". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. vi – via Newspapers.com.