| James Gailey |
 James Gailey was born on Sunday, 26th July, 1868, in Old Monkland, North Lanarkshire. The midfielder signed for Thistle on Saturday, 20th July, 1901, having most recently been with Clydesdale Wanderers. Aged 32, he made his debut appearance (as a trialist) on Tuesday, 14th May, 1901, in a 2-0 friendly defeat at home to Rangers. James scored his only goal for Thistle on Saturday, 21st December, 1901, in a 4-1 win at home to Motherwell in the SFL Second Division. He played his last game for the club on Saturday, 12th December, 1903, in a 1-0 friendly win away to East Stirlingshire, having appeared as a Jag on 58 occasions. His club-list included Burnbank Athletic, Bellshill Athletic, Clydesdale Wanderers, Partick Thistle and Ayr. James died on Tuesday, 5th April, 1921, in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, aged 52. |
 The Mossend-based veteran hardly seemed like an inspirational signing when he formally joined the recently demoted Partick Thistle in the close season of 1901, but he turned out to be just what was needed at the time. He was a rock-steady no-nonsense centre-half who could lead by example, and dig in when the going got tough. James was getting his first crack as a senior professional, and the move worked out brilliantly for both parties as Thistle finished strongly in second place in 1901-02 and were re-elected back to the First Division. With only 9 defeats in the 22 game League campaign in 1902-03, Thistle were comfortable in 8th place (of 12) and could now build for the future as an established top-flight club. It would be nearly 70 years before they would again suffer the pain of relegation! James did so well that there were rumours of a move down South, but he would play his final games as a footballer with Second Division Ayr from New Years Day 1904 to the end of that season. |
| (WS/JK) |
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