Jimmy Jones (footballer, born 1928)
James Jones (25 July 1928 – 13 February 2014) was a Northern Irish footballer who played as a forward. He is the leading goalscorer in the history of Irish League football with a total of 647 goals. According to RSSSF, he scored more than 809 goals in official matches, which makes him one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time.
|
James Jones | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Jones | ||
| Date of birth | 25 July 1928 | ||
| Place of birth | Keady, Northern Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 13 February 2014 (aged 85) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1943–1944 | Sunnyside | 5 | (7) |
| 1944–1945 | Glenavon Juniors | 25 | (36) |
| 1945–1946 | Shankill Young Men | 22 | (40) |
| 1946–1949 | Belfast Celtic | 33 | (43) |
| 1950 | Larne | 0 | (0) |
| 1950–1951 | Fulham | 0 | (0) |
| 1951–1962 | Glenavon | 222 | (269) |
| 1962–1963 | Portadown | 14 | (8) |
| 1963–1964 | Bangor | 20 | (12) |
| 1964–1965 | Newry Town | 34 | (31) |
| Total | 369 | (443) | |
| International career | |||
| 1947–1959 | Irish League XI | 24 | (11) |
| 1947 | Northern Ireland Youth | 1 | (2) |
| 1956–1957 | Northern Ireland | 3 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
In a career spanning almost 20 years, Jones started his career with Belfast Celtic. After having his leg broken by rival supporters, he spent over a year out of the game, before returning at intermediate level with Larne. After a short spell there and a season in English football with Fulham, he joined Glenavon where he helped to propel the club to the most successful period in their history. He later represented Portadown, Bangor and Newry Town. He also won 3 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring 1 goal.