James Smith (25 June 1896 – 24 November 1945)[1] was a Scottish footballer who played for clubs including Rangers[2] and Aberdeen[1] as an outside left, though he began his career as a left back. He was the son of Nicol Smith, who also played as a defender with great success for Rangers and Scotland.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Smith | ||
| Date of birth | 25 June 1896 | ||
| Place of birth | Loudoun, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 24 November 1945 (aged 49) | ||
| Place of death | Aberdeen, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Outside left | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Motherwell Hearts | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| – | Wishaw Heather | ||
| – | Larkhall Thistle | ||
| 1919–1922 | Rangers | 17 | (1) |
| 1922–1931 | Aberdeen | 297 | (54) |
| 1931–1934 | Shamrock Rovers | ||
| 1934–1935 | Glentoran | ||
| 1935–1936 | Brora Rangers | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1936–1938 | Dufftown | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
A son of the famous "Nick" Smith, the Rangers and Scotland back, Jimmy who at the outset of his football career was also a back, was transferred from Rangers to Aberdeen in 1922. Shortly afterwards he was tried at outside-left and made the position his own for ten seasons. During that period Smith played many brilliant games for the Dons and scored many notable goals.[1]
After leaving football Smith entered the catering business and became licensee of a hotel in Dufftown. On returning to Aberdeen he took over the managership of a licensed establishment, but had to resign when his health gave way.[3]
The native of Darvel, was 49 years of age when he died in Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen in 1945.[4]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[5][2] edit
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers | 1919-20 | Scottish Division One | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 1920-21 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 1921-22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Total | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| Aberdeen | 1922-23 | Scottish Division One | 35 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 40 | 7 |
| 1923-24 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 42 | 7 | ||
| 1924-25 | 37 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 43 | 3 | ||
| 1925-26 | 37 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 46 | 11 | ||
| 1926-27 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||
| 1927-28 | 35 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 11 | ||
| 1928-29 | 34 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 12 | ||
| 1929-30 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 6 | ||
| 1930-31 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 2 | ||
| Total | 297 | 54 | 39 | 10 | 336 | 64 | ||
| Shamrock Rovers | 1931-34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Glentoran | 1934-35 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Brora Rangers | 1935-36 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Career total | 314+ | 55+ | 39+ | 10+ | 353+ | 65+ | ||
References edit
- ^ a b c d Jimmy Smith, AFC Heritage Trust
- ^ Rangers player Smith, James, FitbaStats
- ^ "Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile". afcheritage.org. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile". afcheritage.org. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Rangers Player James Smith Details". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
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