Overview
In an interview in 1988 Jackie stated that the nine years he spent at Douglas Park were the happiest of his footballing career. He joined Accies from his home town team, Darvel Juniors, as an inside right, in July 1931, and the following month made a satisfactory debut alongside Willie Moffat. Jackie was a member of the side which won the Second Eleven Cup in 1934 versus Motherwell.
It was when he stepped back to right half that he found his best position and he was one of the mainstays of the side which reached the final of the Scottish Cup in 1935. When the attendance record was set at Douglas Park in midweek Scottish Cup tie against Heart of Midlothian in 1937, he was in his usual position when Accies won 2-1 in front of 28,690. Jackie was named in the Scottish League reserve side to meet the Irish League in Belfast in September 1937.
He was transferred to Preston North End on 28th July 1938 for £1,200. Ayr United signed him in time for the start of the 1939-40 season and he played against Accies alongside Jock Whiteford on the day of the last official Scottish League matches before World War Two commenced. At that time his occupation was quoted as a shipyard worker. When Ayr United closed their doors to League football in the summer of 1940 most of their players moved to other clubs, in Jacky’s case it was to Partick Thistle. The following season, Jackie signed for St Mirren.
He returned to Douglas Park later also as a war time guest player. In 1944 he appeared with an Irvine and District XI against Blantyre Victoria in a “Salute the Soldiers” match, the Blantyre side having beaten Carluke Rovers in the Final of such a tournament for Lanarkshire Junior clubs earlier in the year.
His final playing days were with Stranraer. He was reckoned to be the hardest and most fearless right half ever to play for the Stair Park side. While with them they reached the final of the Qualifying Cup and were beaten 1-0 by Edinburgh City on April 2nd 1947 at Somerset Park, Ayr in front of a crowd of 2,144. Jackie captained the Stranraer side when they were drawn against Rangers in the Scottish Cup at home in January 1948 in front of their record gate of 6,500.
At the height of his playing career he stood 5’8” and weighed 11sts 12lbs.
He was appointed as manager of Accies in December 1951. He took the side to 3rd place in the Second Division, just missing out on promotion, and to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup in 1955. An offer to take over a similar role came in 1956 from Ayr United and he moved to Somerset Park. He died on September 17th 1990 at his home in Darvel at the age of 80.
Debut on 15th August 1931 in a Scottish League match away to Ayr United.
Scottish League 196 Appearances 3 Goals
Scottish Cup 19 Appearances 1 Goal
Southern League 7 Appearances
Lanarkshire Cup 5 Appearances 1 Goal
Accies Career
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Full Name
John Cox
1931-38
1941
Position
Right half
Born
Died
17 September 1990
Signed by
Willie McAndrew
Debut
15 August 1931
Last Game
Honours
Clubs Played For
Darvel Juniors
Hamilton Academical
Preston North End
Ayr United
Partick Thistle
St Mirren
Hamilton Academical
Stranraer