John James (English footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = John James


fullname = John Brian Jones
height = height|ft=6|in=0
nickname = Jesse
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1948|10|24
cityofbirth = Stone, Staffordshire
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
position = Striker
youthyears = 1964–1966
youthclubs = Port Vale
years = 1966–1973
1973–1975
1975–1978
1976
1978–?
clubs = Port Vale
Chester
Tranmere Rovers
→ Chicago Sting (loan)
Stafford Rangers
caps(goals) = 210 0(39)
98 00(40)
73 00(24)
9 00 (4)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
managerclubs =
manageryears =
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

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.

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, [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=p.85|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6] playing his first game alongside fellow home debutant Reg Matthewson in a 5–0 win over Darlington, that saw James amongst the scorers. [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=p.85|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6] The following season saw James net 21 league goals, the highest tally by a Chester player since Gary Talbot in 1968–69, [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=stats section|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6] , 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. [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=p.88–90|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6] 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, [cite web|url= http://www.football-england.com/chester_1_newcastle_0.html
title= Chester 1 Newcastle United 0| publisher = football-england.com | accessdate=2008-02-19] 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 break Chester's hearts. [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=p.90|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6]

Despite his contribution to Chester’s success, James played just two first–team games for Chester after promotion and joined neighbours Tranmere Rovers in part-exchange for Paul Crossley in September 1975. [cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages=p.91|publisher=Yore Publications|id=ISBN 1-874427-52-6] 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, [cite web|url= http://home.att.net/~nasl/rosters/sting.htm |title= Chicago Sting All-Time Player Roster 1975–1994| publisher =| accessdate=2008-02-19] he returned to Prenton Park and remained at the club before joining non–league Stafford Rangers in 1978. [cite web|url= http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/tranmere/tranmere.htm|title= Tranmere Rovers 1946/47 – 2006/07| publisher =Neil Brown| accessdate=2008-02-19]

James later moved to Torquay to run a newsagents. [cite web|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article607187.ece|title= Caught in Time| publisher =TimesOnline| accessdate=2008-02-19] He is now a part of the Plymouth Argyle youth coaching setup under Paul Sturrock.

Honours

Port Vale

* Football League Fourth Division promotion as fourth placed team: 1969–70 (43 apps, 14 goals).

Chester

* Football League Fourth Division promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–75 (41 apps, 13 goals).

* Football League Cup semi-finalists: 1974–75.

Tranmere Rovers

* Football League Fourth Division promotion as fourth placed team: 1975–76.

References