CHARNLEY, James (1988)

Overview

A gifted footballer, who like so many before him, wasn't able to use it to his best advantage. His fiery disposition led him into situations which have seen another side to his nature.

A confrontation with a member of the management while at Kilbowie meant he left the Bankies and John Lambie took a chance with him at Hamilton in 1988. After only a handful of games and a sending off at Ibrox he moved on again, this time to Partick Thistle, where he again teamed up with Lambie. The Jags having paid Accies £5000. Chic had been sacked by Accies Manager Jim Dempsey following an incident at a closed door match at Falkirk.

As a junior he stepped up from Rutherglen Glencairn to St Mirren in 1981. He went back to Kilbirnie Ladeside, and then Ayr United gave him another opportunity at senior level. Again it didn't work out and Pollok Juniors signed him. Clydebank were next to take a chance with him in 1987.

In 1991 he moved between Partick and St Mirren for a second career at Love Street with a loan spell at Burnley in between. His disciplinary record was not enhanced while there and he decided to try his luck in Sweden as he felt he was being victimised by Scottish officials. However the pull of the game in Scotland was too much for him and he rejoined John Lambie at Firhill in 1993.

Two years on and he was on Dumbarton's payroll, before in a rather surprise move he made his Dundee debut for Jim Duffy's side against Accies at Dens Park on 6th January 1996, when he netted a spectacular goal for his new employers in a rather fortunate 2-1 home win.

He was released by Dundee in January 1997, and his former boss, Jim Duffy, took him to Hibs. By September he was playing in the South of Scotland League with Tarff Rovers. Had a good left foot and was dangerous at free kicks. He later turned to the juniors with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in 1999, however when John Lambie got a recall to Firhill, he signed Chic once again. A keen Celtic fan, he played for his heroes as a guest in a benefit match, much to his delight.

During one of his spells with Partick it was reported that at a training session in Ruchill Park he was attacked by two people wielding samurai swords, Chic and his teammates then chased the perpetrators from the scene. In retirement he co-owned a public house in Maryhill Road, aptly named, “The Thistle”.

Born in Glasgow on 11th June 1963.

Debut on 3rd September 1988 in a Premier League match away to Celtic which Accies lost 2-1.

Scottish League 8 Appearances 6 Subs

Accies Career

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