James McGrath (4 March 1907 – 17 October 1950) was an English footballer. A speedy and crafty player, he played at left-half and on the right wing. He began his career in 1928 at Cardiff City before switching to Port Vale in May 1932. He was transferred to Notts County in June 1934 and later moved on to Bradford Park Avenue.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James McGrath[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 4 March 1907[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Washington, Tyne and Wear, England[1] | ||
| Date of death | 17 October 1950 (aged 43) | ||
| Place of death | Ryhope, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-half, right-winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Washington Colliery | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1928–1932 | Cardiff City | 33 | (0) |
| 1932–1934 | Port Vale | 66 | (11) |
| 1934 | Notts County | 11 | (3) |
| 1934–1938 | Bradford Park Avenue | 83 | (2) |
| Total | 193 | (16) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editMcGrath played for Washington Colliery before joining Cardiff City in 1928. The "Bluebirds" suffered relegation out of the First Division following a last-place finish in 1928–29. They posted an eighth-place finish in the Second Division in 1929–30 before suffering another relegation in 1930–31 with another last-place finish. Cardiff finished in ninth place in the Third Division South in 1931–32. In his four seasons at Ninian Park, McGrath featured in 33 league games. He returned to the Second Division when he signed with Port Vale in May 1932.[1] His debut came on 9 May at the humiliating 7–0 Potteries derby defeat to Stoke City in the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup final.[1] He scored his first goal for the club on 3 December 1932, in a 2–1 defeat to Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.[1] He scored a total of eight goals in 29 appearances in the 1932–33 season, getting on the scoresheet against Stoke City at The Old Recreation Ground and against Manchester United at Old Trafford.[1] He scored three goals in 39 games in the 1933–34 campaign. He was transferred to league rivals Notts County in June 1934.[1] He later moved on to Bradford Park Avenue, eventually joining the training staff there.
Later life
editMcGrath took up employment at Ryhope Colliery after the Second World War. He died suddenly at the site on 17 October 1950.[3]
Career statistics
editSource:[4]
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Cardiff City | 1928–29 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1929–30 | Second Division | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1930–31 | Second Division | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 1931–32 | Third Division South | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | ||
| Port Vale | 1932–33 | Second Division | 28 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 8 |
| 1933–34 | Second Division | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| Total | 66 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 68 | 11 | ||
| Notts County | 1934–35 | Second Division | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
| Bradford Park Avenue | 1934–35 | Second Division | 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| 1935–36 | Second Division | 35 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
| 1936–37 | Second Division | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 1937–38 | Second Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 83 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 90 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 193 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 206 | 16 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 193. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
- ^ "Bradford. Backs wanted. Directors show no lack of enterprise". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. vii – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former City Player". Western Mail. 18 October 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 18 September 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Jimmy McGrath at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)