James McGimpsey
James McGimpsey
A. Player

born in Scotland

James McGimcy (later re-styled as McGimpsey) was born on Saturday, 4th August, 1883, in Greenock, Renfrewshire.

The forward first appeared for Thistle in March, 1902.

Aged 18, he made his debut appearance on Monday, 31st March, 1902, in a 2-1 win at home to St Mirren in the Western League.

James scored his only goal for Thistle on Saturday, 12th April, 1902, in a 5-3 defeat away to Port Glasgow Athletic in the Western League.

That goal came in his second and final appearance for the club.

His club-list included Renfrew Victoria, Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, Distillery and Vale of Leven.

James died on Saturday, 4th December, 1965, in Govan, Glasgow, aged 82.

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Bio Extra

The son of Samuel McGimcy (iron borer) and Rebecca McGimcy (née Brians). His siblings included Agnes (b. 1885), Samuel (b. 1887), William (b. 1888) and John (b. 1890). Although McGimcy was stated on his birth record, James became McGimpsey on his official documents, including his football registration papers, his census returns from 1911 onwards, his marriage record and his death register entry.

Thistle drafted in this left winger from Renfrew Victoria in the springtime of 1902 and he featured in a couple of the low-key games in the Western League, although no permanent deal was forthcoming. James did get a big move in July 1903 however, signing professional terms at First Division Kilmarnock, making 8 League appearances in his first season there. A short-term loan deal with Distillery was arranged in August 1904, followed by a longer term loan arrangement at Vale of Leven of the Scottish Combination, a couple of months later. His move there became permanent and he rose with the club to the Second Division for season 1905-06, featuring on 13 occasions and scoring 3 times. He remained on the books at Vale for 5 seasons, although he very rarely featured in first-team action.

Away from the football, James married Jessie McWhinnie and worked as a ship plater. He lived in Partick most of his days, but was living at Brighton Street in Govan at the time of his death (cerebral thrombosis, pnuemonia) at Shieldhall Hospital in late 1965. His cousin, Sarah Bryans, signed the register entry.

(WS/JK)



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