Jimmy Watson (footballer born 1877)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Jimmy Watson


fullname = James Watson
dateofbirth = birth date|1877|10|4|df=y
cityofbirth = Motherwell
countryofbirth = Scotland
dateofdeath = 1915
height =
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Full back
youthyears =
youthclubs = Burnbank Athletic
years =
1899–1907
1907–1910
clubs = Clyde
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
caps(goals) =
211 0(0)
103 0(0)
manageryears =
managerclubs =
nationalyears = 1903–1909
nationalteam = Scotland
nationalcaps(goals) = 006 0(0)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

James Watson (4 October 1877 – 1915) was a Scottish footballer who played at full back. He won the Football League championship with Sunderland in 1901–02 and made six appearances for Scotland.

Career

Early career

Watson was born in Motherwell and played for Burnbank Athletic before joining Clyde.

underland

He joined Sunderland in 1899, after a trial at Sheffield United. His debut came in a 0–0 draw against Glossop North End on 24 February 1900. [ [http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Imatchdets/IMD4396.asp Sunderland 0 Glossop North End 0, 24 February 1900 (Match summary)] ] He went on to make three league appearances that season. The following season he only missed two games as Sunderland finished runners-up, with Watson and Andy McCombie teaming up in front of goal-keeper Ned Doig. The three Scottish internationals appeared in a notable total of 109 league and cup games between February 1900 and February 1904 when McCombie was transferred to Newcastle United. [ [http://www.doigsden.co.uk/NedDoig.htm Article on Ned Doig] ]

He came to be considered as one of the finest full backs in the country. He possessed the intriguing nickname of "Daddy Long Legs" due to his arms and legs moving excessively when he ran. [ [http://www.a-love-supreme.com/100%20greatest/30-21.htm Sunderland profile] ] In 1901–02 Watson only missed one game, as Sunderland claimed the Championship by a three point margin over Everton.

Watson's first Scotland match came on 9 March 1903 in a 1–0 victory over Wales. In the next match, against England on 4 April, Watson was teamed in defence with his Sunderland colleagues, Doig and McCombie, resulting in a Scottish victory by 2 goals to 1. [ [http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/games/19030404.html England 1 Scotland 2, 4 April 1903 (Match summary)] ] He went on to play against England in each of the next two years, both matches won 1–0 by England.

Watson remained at Sunderland until 1907, when he moved to Middlesbrough. In his Sunderland career he played a total of 225 matches, never scoring.

Middlesbrough

He remained at Middlesbrough until 1910 making over 100 appearances. In March 1909 he was recalled to the Scotland team making appearances against Ireland and England.

Honours

;Sunderland
*Football League champions: 1901–02

References

External links

* [http://www.londonhearts.com/scotland/players/james1watson.html Scotland profile]
* [http://www.a-love-supreme.com/100%20greatest/30-21.htm Sunderland profile]
* [http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Mplayers/MPG844.asp Full details of Sunderland career]