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Players Index Page Last Updated
7 November 2022
 
"known not only as a football player of international fame, but for his sterling quality and general faithfulness."
 

Jimmy Whitehead

Accrington FC, Blackburn Rovers FC

2 appearances, 0 goals

P 2 W 1 D 1 L 0 F 8: A 2
75% successful

1893-94

captain: none
minutes played:
180

Timeline

  James Whitehead
Birth Saturday, 29 January 1870 in Church, Lancashire [registered in Blackburn, March 1870].
Baptism Sunday, 20 February 1870 at St James, Church Kirk, Lancashire, by O.Birchall
 

According to the 1871 census, James is the youngest of four children to William and Ann (née Hindle), living at 9 Wade Street in Church. His father is a labourer, his mother a cotton winder.

 

According to the 1881 census, James is still one of four children, but an older one has left and he has a new younger sister. Living with their parents at Bank Street in Church. His father remains as a labourer.

 

According to the 1891 census, James is a cotton weaver living at 78 Maden Street, the Drapers Shop, in Church. He is one of three children, the younger one another new sister. They still live with their parents, whose father is now a pipefitter in the tar distillery.

Marriage to Margaret Shaw, in Hyndburn, July 1891 [registered in, September 1891].
  "James Whitehead, the inside right forward of Blackburn Rovers, was last night presented with a magnificent gold watch, inscribed: "Presented by a few friends who admire him, not only as a football player of international fame, but for his sterling quality and general faithfulness." The presentation was made privately by Mr. Critchley, of the Rovers' committee, Whitehead being taken compeletely by surprise" - The Evening Telegraph and Star, Friday, 20 April 1894
 

According to the 1901 census, James is now a cotton overlooker married to Margaret with two daughters, Ethel (b.17 June 1893) and Eliza (b20 December 1899). They live at 28 Lyon Street in Church.

 

According to the 1911 census, James is still married, still has two daughters and still a cotton loom overlooker and still at 28 Lyon Street.

 

According to the 1921 census, James is still married, still a cotton loom overlooker (for Wilkinson & Son Ltd), and with one of his daughters, Eliza Ann, still living at 28 Lyon Street.

Death August 1929, aged 59 years 184-214 days [registered in Haslingden, September 1929].

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s) Played with junior side Peel Bank FC before he joined Accrington FC in 1890. "The request of the Blackburn Rovers for the transference of James Whitehead, the smart little international forward player belonging to the Accrington Football Club, has been complied with on payment of £100, which the Accrington Committee will use to wipe off part of their debt. Everton were, it is said, in treaty for Whitehead, and had offered £50 for his transfer." Whitehead joined Blackburn Rovers FC on 16 June 1893 and served a months suspension in early 1894, before he was released by Rovers at the end of the 1896-97 season. "James Whitehead claimed a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers. The Football League ruled that the agreement between Whitehead and the Rovers hold good, and the international is free to go to to any club which he may choose." He chose and signed with Manchester City FC in September 1897. Returned to Accrington Stanley FC on 6 December 1899, now in the North-Eastern Lancashure Combination.

League History
182 appearances, 53 goals
Accrington FC 1890-95 73 appearances, 24 goals
debut: 27 September 1890 Accrington FC 1 Everton FC 2.
Blackburn Rovers FC 1893-97 85 appearances, 22 goals
debut: 2 September 1893 Darwen FC 2 Blackburn Rovers FC 3.
Manchester City FC 1897-98 24 appearances, seven goals
debut (second division): 23 October 1897 Manchester City FC 5 Darwen FC 0.
last (second division): 24 September 1898 Lincoln City FC 3 Manchester City FC 1.
Club honours Football League Division One fourth place 1893-94 (22 apps, 8gls); Second Division third place 1897-88 (20, 5gls), winners 1898-99 (4, 2gls);
FA Cup semi-finalist 1893-94 (5, 2gls);
Individual honours None
Distinctions None
Height/Weight "short and stocky"

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & ENFA.

England Career

Player number One of four who became the 206th players (208) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside-right
First match No. 48, 13 March 1893, England 6 Wales 0, a British Championship match at Victoria Park, Boothen, Stoke-on-Trent, aged 23 years 43 days.
Last match No. 50, 3 March 1894, Ireland 2 England 2, a British Championship match at Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 24 years 33 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1892-93, 1893-94;
Team honours British Championship winners 1892-93;
Individual honours None
Distinctions None

Beyond England

No additional information. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.266.

 

The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
2 2 2 180 0 0 min 0 none
minutes are an approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stick to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts % W/L
2 1 1 0 8 2 +6 0 1 4.00 1.00 75.0 +1

Match Record

Venue & Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts % W/L
Home British Championship 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 0 1 6.00 0.00 100.0 +1
Away 1 0 1 0 2 2 =0 0 0 2.00 2.00 50.0 =0

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1892-93 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 0 1 6.00 0.00 100.0 +1
BC 1893-94 1 0 1 0 2 2 =0 0 0 2.00 2.00 50.0 =0
BC All 2 1 1 0 8 2 +6 0 1 4.00 1.00 75.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 2 1 1 0 8 2 +6 0 1 4.00 1.00 75.0 +1
2 1 1 0 8 2 +6 0 1 4.00 1.00 75.0 +1

Match History

 Club: Accrington F.C. - one full appearance (90 min)

F.A. International Select Committee - two full appearances (180 min)x


Age 23
1 48 13 March 1893 - England 6 Wales 0, Victoria Ground, Stoke-upon-Trent BC HW Start ir
  

 Club: Blackburn Rovers F.C. - one full appearance (90 min)  

Age 24
2 50 3 March 1894 - Ireland 2 England 2, Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast BC AD Start ir
  

Notes

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CG