WELFORD, James (1901)

Overview

An Englishman, he came from Barnard Castle, where he was born on 27th March 1869 and it was there that he appeared for the local eleven prior to joining Bishop Auckland in 1890.

Mitchell’s St George was his next port of call in 1892 before the big break came for him when he was signed by Aston Villa in August 1893. While there he became the proud possessor of an English Cup winners medal in 1895 when the Midlands club defeated near neighbours West Bromwich Albion 1-0. In addition he was in the Villa sides which were English League Champions in 1894, 1896 and 1897.

Following him becoming a Celtic player in 1897 he became the first Englishman to hold a Cup Winners medal in Scotland and England when Celtic were victors in 1899. Added to his collection of honours was a Scottish League Winners medal in 1898. He was an excellent cricketer and his love of the sport took him to Ireland where he played on loan for Belfast Celtic and for Distillery as a signed player.

In October 1901 he was enticed to come to Hamilton and while there he played mainly in his right back position, though turned out as goalkeeper on several occasions. Another who played in the Championship winning side of 1903-04. When he retired in 1906 he took on the job of coach. Two years later he turned out in an emergency in a Qualifying Cup tie at home to Peebles Rovers.

He was a member of Accies Lanarkshire Cup winning side which beat Albion Rovers on 15th March 1903 at Broomfield in front of what was then a record attendance for the competition, 7,200. As a cricketer he played minor counties with Durham from 1891 and in 1895 spent a senior season with Warwickshire. Jim died at Renfrew on January 17th 1945.

Debut on 12th October 1901 in a Scottish League match away to Motherwell.

Scottish League 46 Appearances 1 Goal

Scottish Cup 3 Appearances

Scottish Qualifying Cup 12 Appearances

Lanarkshire Cup 13 Appearances 2 Goals

Accies Career