Jimmy Nelson (footballer)

James Nelson (7 January 1901 – 8 October 1965) was a Scottish professional footballer who as a full-back won the 1926–27 FA Cup with Cardiff City and captained Newcastle United to the 1931–32 FA Cup. He played at right back in the Wembley Wizards Scotland side of 1928.[1]

James Nelson
Personal information
Full name James Nelson
Date of birth (1901-01-07)7 January 1901
Place of birth Greenock, Scotland
Date of death 8 October 1965(1965-10-08) (aged 64)
Playing position(s) Full back
Youth career
St Paul's
Glenarm
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Crusaders ? (?)
1921–1930 Cardiff City 240 (7)
1930–1935 Newcastle United 146 (21)
1935–1939 Southend United 73 (9)
Total 459 (37)
National team
1925–1930 Scotland 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Early years

Born in Greenock, Scotland, Nelson moved to Northern Ireland as a child where his father was employed as a ship builder.[2] He started his football career there with junior sides St Paul's and Glenarm, before turning senior with Crusaders. He was spotted by Welsh side Cardiff City who paid £500 to complete the transfer. Such was Nelson's success at Cardiff that the Welsh side sent a message to Crusaders asking "Have you any more players like Jimmy?". This correspondence ultimately led to Tom Sloan and Tom Watson also moving to Cardiff in the following years.[3]

Cardiff City

Nelson moved to Wales in 1921 when signed by Cardiff City and stayed with the Bluebirds for nine seasons. During this time he became the first Cardiff player to be sent off in a League match (v. Manchester City, in August 1925)[4] and was also a member of the talented side which won the FA Cup in 1927 against Arsenal. Amongst his team-mates were fellow Scottish international Jimmy Blair, the talented goalscoring forward Hughie Ferguson, heart and soul of the side Fred Keenor, all time Cardiff City record goal scorer Len Davies and speedy left winger George McLachlan.[5] His success gained him the unusual moniker of the "Scotsman from Ireland who won the English Cup with a Welsh team".[6]

Scotland

Nelson played 4 times for his country between 1925 and 1930 and was Scotland's right-back in the Wembley Wizards game where they beat England 5–1. Nelson had previously been selected to play for Ireland but was withdrawn from the squad when he was found to be ineligible.[2]

Newcastle United

He was signed by Newcastle United for £7,000 in July 1930. He captained the side to victory in the 1931–32 FA Cup. Tommy Lang inspired the semi final win against Hughie Gallacher's Chelsea and Arsenal were defeated in the 1932 FA Cup Final.

Southend United

Nelson played for Southend United in the twilight of his career.

Later years

Nelson married Doris Noon in July 1936 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Canton, Cardiff.[7] He became a publican after his playing retirement, initially in Southend then later in Penarth and Cardiff. His son Tony became an amateur international footballer for Wales then later turned professional with Newport County and Bournemouth.[8]

Honours
Cardiff City
1927
  • FA Charity Shield Winner: 1
1927
1925
1923, 1927, 1928, 1930
Newcastle United
1932
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References
Bibliography
  • Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
Notes
  1. "The Wembley Wizards". soccerhistory.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
  2. "Cup friends reunited". BBC Sport. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  3. "Malcolm Brodie: When Irish boys were flying with Bluebirds". Belfast Telegraph. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  4. "The roaring twenties". cardiffcityfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-06-26. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
  5. Jimmy Nelson & Cardiff City of the 1920s feature in the profile of George McLachlan Archived 2009-09-17 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Derek got his teenage kicks by booting Bayern". Glasgow Evening Times. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  7. "Cardiff City player weds". Western Mail. 13 July 1936. Retrieved 14 March 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. Loyal Nelson: Howe and Cherries players 'defying gravity, Bournemouth Echo, 17 April 2010
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