DEMPSEY, James (1970)

Overview

There can't be many jobs connected with the club which Jim has not done. Along with Stan Anderson, Gerry McCabe and Jose Quitongo he has had three spells on the playing staff with Accies during the post-war years.

A joiner to trade, he first came to the attention of the club while he was attached to Larkhall Thistle and he turned senior for a second time having earlier had a go "upstairs" with Clyde and Albion Rovers. He was at Kirkstyle Amateurs and Benburb before going to Shawfield. Second time around was more successful for him and his displays in a struggling Douglas Park combine caught the eye of the Raith Rovers management and he went to Stark's Park for a fee of £5000.

On January 24th 1974, he was transferred again, this time to Stirling Albion where he remained until March 1976, when he returned to play his part in an Accies outfit under the stewardship of Eric Smith. His play at centre half was a revelation and he went on to make the number 5 jersey his own for the next three seasons appearing in over one hundred games for the side. He then decided to emigrate, and off he went to Australia.

In 1980 he returned and once again he donned the red and white jersey, this time his spell only lasted for five matches before he decided to call it a day. Such was his commitment to the club that he was later appointed assistant to John Lambie and when the latter left for Firhill, Jim assumed the Managers mantel. This he held until he was sacked in 1989 despite a five match unbeaten run. Thus ended a long connection with Hamilton Accies.

He later went back to help out his former junior side, Larkhall Thistle as well as becoming boss with Bellshill Athletic for a time. He was also Manager at Fauldhouse United in 1992. In August 1997 he was in charge at East Kilbride Thistle. Jim returned to Larkhall Thistle in September 2001 as Assistant Manager before becoming a scout with St Johnstone.

His father, John, was an Accies player in the 1930's and also scouted for Celtic. Jim's son, also John, played a couple of games with Accies reserves, however he wasn't signed, a pity, as that would have been quite a feat, three generations of the same family on Accies books.

Debut on 10th March 1970 as a trialist at Falkirk in a Scottish League match which resulted in a 6-1 defeat.

Scottish League 138 Appearances 3 Subs 5 Goals

Scottish Cup 5 Appearances

League Cup 18 Appearances