Jimmy Speirs

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Bradford City

 

When Jimmy Speirs joined Bradford City from Clyde shortly before the start of the 1909-10 season,BCFC club colours cig card 2.jpg (33477 bytes) City were about to start their second season as a First Division club, having been Champions of the Second Division in 1907-08. This was just four years after their formation and their immediate entry into the Football League.

The 1908-09 season had seen City survive in the First Division – just! Level on points with Manchester City, their goals record of 47 for, 47 against, produced a marginally better goal average than the Manchester club’s 67 for, 69 against. Consequently, the Mancunians were relegated.

 

1909-10

Jimmy’s League debut came at Manchester United on 1 September 1909 (a 1-0 defeat), with his home debut at Valley Parade on 4 September in a 3-1 victory against Bristol City. Jimmy was ever-present in that season, scoring 6 goals in his 38 League appearances. He also played in both City’s FA Cup ties, scoring once. Bradford City finished a respectable 7th in the Division of 20 Clubs, with 42 points from their 38 games.Boys Friend reverse.jpg (39745 bytes)Boys Friend front.jpg (20563 bytes)

Jimmy proudly displays the claret and amber of Bradford City (click on thumbnails right, to enlarge)

 

 

 

scan0129.jpg (1837480 bytes)In December 1909, Jimmy featured in the Yorkshire Sports' "Portrait Album". "No finer footwork has ever been seen at Valley Parade than that which Speirs provides, and his unselfishness is appreciated by all.  He is one of those forwards of whom it is said his partner cannot help playing well, so splendidly is he nursed.  Off the field Jimmy is one of the quietest and gentlemanly of men, and his popularity is as great as it is well-deserved".  The article ends "But why is he called the Night-Watchman?"  

Answer below........

 

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(1) Jimmy "on duty";  (2) Start of article (foot of first column); (3) Article continues (top of second column) - click on each to read

The above article, from an unknown publication, describes Bradford City as having more "humorists in its ranks than any other team in the country".  Jimmy ("one of a noble quartette") has an "abundant store of humour".  The story talks of Jimmy spotting Bradford Corporation employees at work close to Valley Parade and the "exchange" which ensues.  Perhaps Jimmy was not as "quiet" as first thought!

Association Football Players' Union

On 2 December 1907, the inaugural meeting of the "Association of Football Players' and Trainers' Union" was held at the Imperial Hotel in Manchester.  One concern of the players was the fact that a maximum wage of £4 per week had been imposed since 1901, and whilst this was approximately double the average working man's weekly income, players had a very "uncertain career", said Billy Meredith, who chaired that first meeting.  In addition the "retain and transfer" system meant that players were still tied to a Club, even after their contract had expired - and they could not play for another team without their previous Club's consent. 

Initially the Football Association and Football League did not oppose the new Union but when the latter challenged the wage and transfer issues in 1909 (and threatened to join the Federation of Trades Union, later the Trades Union Congress) recognition was withdrawn.  A threatened strike by the players was averted in exchange for recognition of the Union and the allowing of bonus payments.

One hundred years later, the Union is now the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and players' rights (and income) have improved somewhat.

Jimmy Speirs was a member of what the Press called "The Players' Union" and his membership book is still in the possession of his family.

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Above - Jimmy's Union membership book - note the Entrance Fee - "Five shillings at the time of entry, contributions to be at the rate of sixpence per week during the playing season".  (Click on images to enlarge)

Bradford City - Football League (Division One) record 1909-10
       

Goals

   

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

For

Against

Points

Position

38

17

8

13

64

47

42

7th

 

Jimmy Speirs’ appearances/goals summary – 1909-10

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Football League Division One

38

6

FA Cup

2

1

 

Jimmy’s Speirs’ playing record at Bradford City (1909-10):-

Date

Opponents

Competition

Venue

Result

Score

Attendance

Goals scored by Jimmy

1909   1 Sep

Manchester U

FL

A

L

0-1

12,000

-

4 Sep

Bristol City

FL

H

W

3-1

22,000

-

11 Sep

Bury

FL

A

W

4-3

10,000

-

18 Sep

Tottenham H

FL

H

W

5-1

30,000

-

25 Sep

Preston NE

FL

A

D

2-2

14,000

-

2 Oct

Notts County

FL

H

W

2-1

24,000

-

9 Oct

Newcastle U

FL

A

L

0-1

25,000

-

16 Oct

Liverpool

FL

H

L

1-2

25,000

-

23 Oct

Aston Villa

FL

A

L

1-3

20,000

-

30 Oct

Sheffield Utd

FL

H

W

2-0

30,000

-

6 Nov

W Arsenal

FL

A

W

1-0

10,000

-

13 Nov

Bolton W

FL

H

W

1-0

25,000

-

20 Nov

Chelsea

FL

A

W

3-0

34,000

-

27 Nov

Blackburn R

FL

H

W

2-0

35,000

-

4 Dec

Nottingham F

FL

A

D

1-1

8,000

-

11Dec

Sunderland

FL

H

W

3-1

15,000

1

18 Dec

Everton

FL

A

D

1-1

10,000

-

25 Dec

Middlesbrough

FL

A

W

7-3

17,000

2

27 Dec

Middlesbrough

FL

H

W

4-1

35,500

-

1910   1 Jan

Manchester U

FL

H

L

0-2

25,000

-

8 Jan

Bristol City

FL

A

L

0-2

10,000

-

15 Jan

Notts County

FAC  Rd 1

H

W

4-2

17,000

1

22 Jan

Bury

FL

H

D

0-0

16,000

-

29 Jan

Tottenham H

FL

A

D

0-0

25,000

-

5 Feb

Blackburn R

FAC Rd 2

H

L

1-2

28,000

-

12 Feb

Notts County

FL

A

L

2-3

12,000

1

19 Feb

Bolton W

FL

A

D

1-1

9,000

-

26 Feb

Liverpool

FL

A

L

0-1

15,000

-

5 Mar

Aston Villa

FL

H

L

1-2

22,000

-

9 Mar

Newcastle U

FL

H

D

3-3

10,000

-

12 Mar

Sheffield Utd

FL

A

W

2-1

14,000

-

19 Mar

W Arsenal

FL

H

L

0-1

14,000

-

25 Mar

Sheffield W

FL

H

W

2-0

12,000

-

28 Mar

Sheffield W

FL

A

L

1-2

 

-

29 Mar

Preston NE

FL

H

W

2-0

18,000

1

2 Apr

Chelsea

FL

H

W

4-1

16,000

-

9 Apr

Blackburn R

FL

A

L

0-2

10,000

-

16 Apr

Nottingham F

FL

H

D

1-1

12,000

-

23 Apr

Sunderland

FL

A

L

0-3

5,000

-

30 Apr

Everton

FL

H

W

2-0

13,000

1

FL – Football League Division One    FAC – F A Cup

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Portrait of Jimmy - one of a set of the City team, produced as postcards, around 1911 (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

1910-11

Team 1910-11postcard.jpg (435032 bytes)The 1910-11 season was to prove to be Bradford City’s pinnacle, in 100 years of Football League membership. 

Left - Jimmy Speirs (centre of group) and the 1910-11 team pictured in front of the Midland Road stand at Valley Parade (click on thumbnail to enlarge)Left - Jimmy Speirs (centre of group) and the 1910-11 team pictured in front of the Midland Road stand at Valley Parade (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

Jimmy Speirs scored 7 goals in his 25 League appearances and helped City to finish 5th, just seven points behind Champions Manchester United – their highest-ever finish in the Football League. However, even this was overshadowed by Bradford City’s exploits in the English (FA) Cup that season.

Above - Jimmy (fourth from the left, back row) and the Bradford City squad pictured in front of the Spion Kop terrace at Valley Parade

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After disposing of New Brompton (later Gillingham) and Norwich City of the Southern League, City overcame Midland League Champions-elect Grimsby Town in the third round. This set up a fourth round tie at home to Burnley, of the Second Division. The game attracted what remains Valley Parade’s record attendance of 39,146, and produced gate receipts of £1,641. The local press reported that "Speirs skippered the team with fine judgement" and Jimmy was involved in the move that produced the winning goal, scored by Irish International Frank Thompson (right, click on thumbnail to enlarge)

 

 

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A series of telegrams received by Jimmy prior to the Semi-Final at Bramall Lane.  Note that third from the left - from the Bradford Caledonian Society (not surprising in view of the number of Scots in City's team), and that second from the right - from Ernest Hoyle, Secretary of Bradford (Park Avenue) FC, City's local rivals.

(Left) Jimmy takes a break from training, Winter 1910-11 (click to enlarge)

Four successive single-goal victories had taken Bradford City to a semi-final against Blackburn Rovers, at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Rovers were not the force they had been a few years previously, and were only mid-table in Division One – although they became League Champions a year later. Still, they were favourites for the tie, but were soundly beaten by City by three goals to nil.

As the referee blew the final whistle, the Press reported that Jimmy Speirs and several other City players were involved in a wild scramble for the match ball, which had been grabbed by a linesman. This did not go down well with the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary of the Football Association who were all present but, it was reported, "…it is difficult to believe that the City Captain (Speirs) could have done anything which was not excusable in the exceptional circumstances". Nevertheless, Jimmy Speirs, Frank Thompson and George Robinson were subsequently censured by the Football Association for their part in the proceedings!

Players, officials and guests gathered at the Grand Hotel, Sheffield after the game and Jimmy Speirs, as Captain, proposed a toast on behalf of the players.

City's opponents in the Final would be Newcastle United and in the week before the game at the Crystal Palace it appears that Jimmy wrote to the opposing Captain, Colin Veitch.  Whilst the full content of Jimmy's letter is not known, it seems that he made something of an impression on Veitch, judging by the latter's reply (see below).

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Colin Veitch's letter to Jimmy, 19 April 1911 (click to read)

Evidently, Jimmy had "...expressed in sound terms the true spirit of comradeship, and the proper sentiments one would expect to see associated with the sportsman, and the sport".  

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Telegrams received by Jimmy prior to the game at the Crystal Palace (click to read) - further information gratefully received!  Please contact me if you can help.

1.  "Hardman, Stoke-on-Trent" - probably Harold Hardman, English International & Cup winner with Everton in 1906.  A team-mate of Jimmy's at Bradford City in 1909-10, until he was transferred to Stoke City FC.

9.  "Chas Cockshott, President Bradford Northern  Football Club" - the city's Rugby League club.

2.  "Mabel & Bert" - ? 10.  "Brooks, Doncaster" - ?
3.  "Wilson, Blue Bell Hotel, Carlisle" - ? 11.  "Buchanan, Mount Florida, Glasgow" - ?
4. "Florrie Forde, Empire, Portsmouth" - Australian-born Music Hall star, known as the "Queen of the Music Hall singalong chorus" 12.  "Friends at Bradford Moor Golf Club" - Jimmy's local Golf Club, close to his home in Bradford.  Was he a golfer?
5.  "Forsythe, Strathclyde" - ? 13.  "Billy Henderson, Grimsby" - connected with Grimsby Town FC? (beaten by Bradford City in Round 3).
6.  "Gerald Morton, Moss Empire" - Moss Empire was incorporated in 1910 and owned a chain of Music Halls and Variety Theatres.

14.  "McFie, Glasgow" - Jimmy's former team-mate at Glasgow Rangers FC?

7.  "Ferguson, Nova Scotia, Blackburn" - connected with Blackburn Rovers? (beaten by Bradford City in the Semi-Final). 15.  "Polmadie Sewell - ? (Polmadie is an industrial suburb of Glasgow, close to Govanhill where Jimmy and his family lived).
8.  "Prior, Director, Norwich City" - beaten at Bradford in Round 2.

16.  "Pudan, Huddersfield" - Dick Pudan, Manager, Huddersfield Town FC.

1911 Team group CP Sawyer.JPG (48982 bytes)

The team which played at the Crystal Palace (click to enlarge)

The Final took place at the Crystal Palace on 22 April 1911, and again City went into the game as underdogs, against the Cup holders, Newcastle United.  In the build up to the game, the press analysed the strengths of each team and described the 25-years old Jimmy Speirs as:-

"The captain of the team, and a Scottish international. He was with Maryhill for a few weeks and then joined Glasgow Rangers and Clyde, coming to Bradford in September 1909. He is a clever and versatile player, and a right down good captain".

 

 

By all accounts the Final was a disappointing affair, the defences took the honours and the game ended goalless.  

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(Above) Scenes at the Crystal Palace, including Jimmy tossing for ends with the Newcastle United Captain, Colin Veitch, before the kick-off, supervised by the referee, Mr J H Pearson (Crewe).  In the photograph to the extreme right, Jimmy can be seen in the centre of picture, behind the Bradford City player heading the ball (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

In the evening, Sir William Priestley MP hosted the Bradford City party to Dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant, Piccadilly Circus.

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Jimmy's Place and Menu cards from the Dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant (click to enlarge)

Four days later, on Wednesday 26 April 1911, the replay took place at Old Trafford, Manchester before an attendance of 66,646, with an estimated 30,000 locked out. Gate receipts totalled £4,478.   History was made - Jimmy Speirs’ headed goal (see below) won the Cup for Bradford City, in only their eighth year in existence.

              Cigarette Card from a 1930 Cup Winners series (click on thumbnail to view)

 

Jimmy (partially obscured by the goalpost) heads the winning goal at Old Trafford

Jimmy (one of eight Scots in the side) led the team up the stairs of the Old Trafford stand and received the new trophy – which was to serve until 1991 – from Mr C Crump, Vice-President of the Football Association. The new trophy had been produced by the Bradford-based firm of Fattorini & Sons, so it was appropriate that the first winners should be Bradford City.

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Above - The team which won the Replay - left to right, Mark Mellors, Robert Campbell, David Taylor, George Robinson, Robert Torrance, Jimmy McDonald, Peter Logan, Jimmy Speirs, Frank O'Rourke, Archie Devine and Frank Thompson.  Most of these postcards are from a set which was then used in one celebratory postcard  (below) - click on thumbnails to enlarge

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Upon being presented with the Cup, Jimmy Speirs is reported to have given a brief speech in which he remarked that the team had gained their great ambition in winning. It would do a lot for football in Yorkshire, and he was sure that Newcastle, who had already been successful, would not grudge the victory. It was the ambition of every footballer to appear in the Final for the English Cup, he said, and he was very pleased indeed that his side succeeded. In conclusion, he called for three cheers for Newcastle United.

Jimmy's FA Cup Winners Medal 1911 (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

The team, and Jimmy in particular, were front page news - literally.  "Glorious 1911", and Jimmy Speirs’ part in it, thereby entered the annals of Bradford City FC.

Front page of the Daily Mirror, Friday 28 April 1911 (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

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Telegrams relating to the Replay - (1) Jimmy's brother, Bob; (2) Lord Mayor of Bradford; (3) "Thomas Peden, Glasgow" - ?; (4) "Hill, Biella" - ?

There were joyous scenes in Bradford when the team returned after the victory, to be met by the Lord Mayor and 100,000 Bradfordians.  It 1911 replay report top.jpg (1006287 bytes)seems that the Lord Mayor carried out his promise of a Civic Reception upon the team's return to Bradford (see telegram 2, above).  Official speeches followed, with Jimmy, as Captain, responding.  The Leeds Mercury reported the event in great detail (click on image left to read) ...."The Cup has come home and Bradford has gone mad with delight. In the long history of the city there has never been anything to equal the extraordinary scenes which took place this evening".

On 2 May 1911, the Supporters of the Bradford City club hosted a Dinner for the Officials and Players at the Victoria Hotel, Bradford.   By now, Jimmy must have been used to giving speeches on behalf of the players - as he did again on this occasion.

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Jimmy's Menu Card from the Supporters' Dinner at the Midland Hotel, Bradford, 2 May 1911 (click on images to view)

City's success in the Cup resulted in them receiving an invitation to visit Scandinavia, where games were played in Copenhagen, and then Gothenburg.

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Jimmy obviously sat out this game in Copenhagen....(click to enlarge)

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As English Cup Winners, and a leading First Division team, Bradford City (and Jimmy) featured in a variety of postcards around 1911-12 (click to enlarge)

 

Bradford City - Football League (Division One) record 1910-11
       

Goals

   

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

For

Against

Points

Position

38

20

5

13

51

42

45

5th

 

Jimmy Speirs’ appearances/goals summary – 1910-11

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Football League Division One

25

7

FA Cup

6

2

 

Jimmy’s Speirs’ playing record at Bradford City (1910-11):-

Date

Opponents

Competition

Venue

Result

Score

Attendance

Goals scored by Jimmy

1910 3 Sep

Liverpool

FL

A

W

2-1

20,000

1

10 Sep

Bury

FL

H

D

2-2

20,000

 

17 Sep

Sheffield Utd

FL

A

W

1-0

20,000

 

24 Sep

Aston Villa

FL

H

L

1-2

22,000

 

1 Oct

Sunderland

FL

A

D

1-1

30,000

1

8 Oct

W Arsenal

FL

H

W

3-0

20,000

 

15 Oct

Oldham Ath

FL

H

L

1-2

20,000

 

22 Oct

Blackburn R

FL

A

L

0-3

14,000

 

29 Oct

Nottingham F

FL

H

W

2-1

17,000

1

5 Nov

Manchester C

FL

A

W

3-1

12,000

1

12 Nov

Everton

FL

H

W

3-1

23,000

 

19 Nov

Sheffield W

FL

A

W

1-0

10,000

 

26 Nov

Bristol C

FL

H

W

3-1

10,000

1

3 Dec

Newcastle U

FL

A

L

1-6

18,000

1

10 Dec

Tottenham H

FL

H

W

3-0

10,000

1

17 Dec

Middlesbrough

FL

A

L

2-3

12,000

 

27 Dec

Manchester U

FL

H

W

1-0

35,000

 

1911  2 Jan

Manchester U

FL

A

L

0-1

40,000

 

14 Jan

New Brompton

FAC Rd 1

A

W

1-0

9,000

 

4 Feb

Norwich C

FAC Rd 2

H

W

2-1

23,288

1

11 Feb

W Arsenal

FL

A

D

0-0

12,000

 

25 Feb

Grimsby T

FAC Rd 3

H

W

1-0

26,000

 

4 Mar

Nottingham F

FL

A

W

2-0

17,000

 

11 Mar

Burnley

FAC Rd 4

H

W

1-0

39,146

 

14 Mar

Manchester C

FL

H

W

1-0

7,000

 

25 Mar

Blackburn R

FAC SF

*

W

3-0

40,000

 

15 Apr

Tottenham H

FL

A

L

0-2

35,000

 

17 Apr

Notts County

FL

H

L

0-1

15,000

 

22 Apr

Newcastle U

FAC Final

**

D

0-0

69,800

 

26 Apr

Newcastle U

FAC Final Replay

***

W

1-0

66,646

1

27 Apr

Middlesbrough

FL

H

W

1-0

10,000

 

29 Apr

Preston NE

FL

A

L

0-2

5,000

 
FL – Football League Division One     FAC – F A Cup

* Bramall Lane, Sheffield      ** Crystal Palace    *** Old Trafford

 

1911-12

Proud Cup holders - click on thumbnail to enlarge

The following season, 1911-12, saw Bradford City finish in mid-table. They made a creditable defence of the FA Cup, going out of the competition in a fourth round (quarter-final) second replay against the eventual winners, Barnsley, with Jimmy on the scoresheet in a 2-3 defeat. There had been a notable game in the Third Round, when City travelled across Bradford to meet neighbours Park Avenue, from the Second Division – the first time the two Bradford rivals had met in Cup competition. A crowd of 24,833 saw City win through by a goal to nil.

Cup Winners 1911 (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

Jimmy Speirs started the season, and played in three of the first four games. However, he was then absent from late-September until March.  Nevertheless, despite playing only 10 League games, he scored 7 goals, including only his second-ever hat-trick in senior football (versus Sheffield Wednesday, 30 March 1912) – the first had come six years earlier, for Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie at Arthurlie.

Bradford City - Football League (Division One) record 1911-12
       

Goals

   

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

For

Against

Points

Position

38

15

8

15

46

50

38

11th

 

Jimmy Speirs’ appearances/goals summary – 1911-12

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Football League Division One

10

7

FA Cup

2

1

 

Jimmy’s Speirs’ playing record at Bradford City (1911-12):-

Date

Opponents

Competition

Venue

Result

Score

Attendance

Goals scored by Jimmy

1911  2 Sep

Aston Villa

FL

H

W

2-1

25,000

1

9 Sep

Newcastle U

FL

A

W

2-0

40,000

2

23 Sep

Oldham Ath

FL

A

L

0-3

12,000

-

1912  4 Mar

Sheffield Utd

FL

A

L

3-7

6,000

1

9 Mar

Barnsley

FAC Rd 4

A

D

0-0

24,987

-

21 Mar

Barnsley

FAC Rd 4 2nd replay

*

L

2-3

38,264

1

28 Mar

Manchester C

FL

A

L

0-4

10,000

-

30 Mar

Sheffield Wed

FL

H

W

5-1

9,000

3

6 Apr

Bury

FL

A

L

0-2

5,000

-

8 Apr

Liverpool

FL

H

L

0-2

10,000

-

9 Apr

Newcastle U

FL

H

D

1-1

18,000

-

13 Apr

Middlesbrough

FL

H

W

2-1

10,000

-

FL – Football League Division One    FAC – F A Cup    * Bramall Lane, Sheffield

 

1912-13

Postcard juggling 2.JPG (246028 bytes)The 1912-13 season started well for Jimmy. He played in 13 of the first 15 games, scoring 9 times before, in late-December 1912, Jimmy left Bradford City having played his last game for "the Bantams" on 14 December at Valley Parade in a 2-3 defeat by Derby County.

Jimmy showing his ball skills at Valley Parade in 1912 - his autograph betrays his Scottish roots - "Yours aye - James H Speirs" (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

After 96 League and Cup games for the Bantams, Jimmy was on the move – just 10 miles to the East - to Elland Road, the home of Leeds City FC. The transfer fee was reported to be £1,400 – a huge amount, when the national average weekly wage of the day was just £2, and top players were earning only £4 per week.

Bradford City maintained a mid-table position for the rest of the season – remaining difficult to beat at Valley Parade (just 4 defeats) but failing to win again away from home after Jimmy’s departure.

Bradford City - Football League (Division One) record 1912-13
       

Goals

   

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

For

Against

Points

Position

38

12

11

15

50

60

35

13th

 

Jimmy Speirs’ appearances/goals summary – 1912-13 Bradford City

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Football League Division One

13

9

FA Cup

-

-

 

Jimmy’s Speirs’ playing record at Bradford City (1912-13):-

Date

Opponents

Competition

Venue

Result

Score

Attendance

Goals scored by Jimmy

1912  7 Sep

Aston Villa

FL

A

L

1-3

30,000

-

14 Sep

Liverpool

FL

H

W

2-0

20,000

1

28 Sep

Sheffield Utd

FL

H

W

3-1

16,000

1

5 Oct

Newcastle Utd

FL

A

D

1-1

35,000

-

12 Oct

Oldham Ath

FL

H

D

0-0

22,000

-

19 Oct

Chelsea

FL

A

W

3-0

40,000

1

26 Oct

W Arsenal

FL

H

W

3-1

7,000

2

2 Nov

Sunderland

FL

H

L

1-5

20,000

-

9 Nov

Manchester C

FL

A

W

3-1

30,000

2

16 Nov

West Brom A

FL

H

D

1-1

13,000

1

23 Nov

Everton

FL

A

L

1-2

20,000

1

7 Dec

Blackburn R

FL

A

L

0-5

15,000

-

14 Dec

Derby County

FL

H

L

2-3

14,000

-

FL – Football League Division One

 

Jimmy Speirs’ overall appearances/goals summary – Bradford City

Season

Football League

F A Cup

Games

Goals

Games

Goals

1909-10

38

6

2

1

1910-11

25

7

6

2

1911-12

10

7

2

1

1912-13

13

9

-

-

Totals

86

29

10

4

Towards the end of December 1912, Jimmy Speirs left Valley Parade for Elland Road, and joined his final Club - Leeds City.

 

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Site last updated May 2009

Copyright © 2010 Andrew Pickles