James White (Scottish footballer)
Encyclopedia
James White also known as Jimmy White or Tec White, is a former Scottish footballer
who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen
in the American Soccer League
. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire
, Scotland
.
. He helped Albion reach the final of the 1920 Scottish Cup
where they lost to Kilmarnock
. He spent two season with Albion before joining Maidstone United
of the English Southern League
in 1923. After one season with Maidstone, White transferred to Motherwell
.
White was one of several players who were recruited from the Scottish League
by Sam Mark
to play for Fall River Marksmen
. Others included Tommy Martin, also from Motherwell
, Charlie McGill from Third Lanark and wing-half Bill McPherson
from Beith
. These players would become the backbone of the a very successful Marksmen team during the 1920s and early 1930s. In later seasons his team mates also included, among others, Billy Gonsalves
, Bert Patenaude
, Werner Nilsen and Alex McNab
.
Between 1925 and 1931, White made 243 league appearances and scored 111 goals for the Marksmen in the American Soccer League
, helping them win five league titles. He also helped them win the National Challenge Cup three times, scoring twice goals in the 1927 final
against Holley Carburetor F.C.
. He also played for the Marksmen in friendlies against Rangers
and Kilmarnock
and in 1930 was a member of the Marksmen squad that toured Central Europe
.
In 1931 when Sam Mark
relocated and merged the Marksmen franchise twice, White followed the team on both occasions. They first moved to New York
, where they merged with New York Soccer Club
and became the New York Yankees
. In the summer of 1931, White played for a Yankees team featuring Billy Gonsalves
, Bert Patenaude
and George Moorhouse
that twice played Celtic
in friendlies. On May 30 at Fenway Park
the Yankees won 4–3. However on June 28 at Yankee Stadium
, Celtic won the second game 4–1. The Yankees then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts
where they merged with Fall River F.C. to become the New Bedford Whalers. With the Whalers, White won a further two American Soccer League
titles and the 1932 National Challenge Cup. On April 3, 1932 he scored the opening goal in a 5–2 win against Stix, Bear and Fuller in the second leg of the final.
New Bedford Whalers
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire
Airdrie, North Lanarkshire
Airdrie is a town within North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It lies on a plateau roughly 400 ft above sea level, and is approximately 12 miles east of Glasgow city centre. Airdrie forms part of a conurbation with its neighbour Coatbridge, in the former district known as the Monklands. As of 2006,...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Playing career
In 1920, White signed with Albion Rovers of the Scottish LeagueScottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
. He helped Albion reach the final of the 1920 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup 1919-20
The 1919-20 Scottish Cup was the 42nd staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Kilmarnock who defeated Albion Rovers in the final.-Semi-finals:-----Replay:-----Second replay:-----Final:...
where they lost to Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. He spent two season with Albion before joining Maidstone United
Maidstone United F.C.
Maidstone United Football Club is an English football team from Maidstone, Kent.The current club is a continuation of the old Maidstone United, which was a member of the Football League between 1989 and 1992. The club was forced out of the league by financial ruin but the youth squad formed the...
of the English Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in 1923. After one season with Maidstone, White transferred to Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
.
White was one of several players who were recruited from the Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
by Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers. He also briefly...
to play for Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
. Others included Tommy Martin, also from Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, Charlie McGill from Third Lanark and wing-half Bill McPherson
Bill McPherson
William "Bill" McPherson was a Scottish American soccer wing half. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the American Soccer League. He also spent time in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning a total of five league titles and seven U.S...
from Beith
Beith F.C.
Beith F.C. were a Scottish football club based at Bellsdale Park in Beith. The club were members of the Scottish Football League from 1923 to 1926.The club was initially formed in 1875 but closed down in 1883 and did not re-emerge fully until 1888...
. These players would become the backbone of the a very successful Marksmen team during the 1920s and early 1930s. In later seasons his team mates also included, among others, Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
Adelino William Gonsalves was an American soccer player, sometimes described as the "Babe Ruth of American Soccer". He spent over 25 years playing in various American professional leagues and was a member of the U.S...
, Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now officially credited by FIFA as the scorer of the first hat-trick in World Cup history. He is a member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.-Club career:...
, Werner Nilsen and Alex McNab
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...
.
Between 1925 and 1931, White made 243 league appearances and scored 111 goals for the Marksmen in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, helping them win five league titles. He also helped them win the National Challenge Cup three times, scoring twice goals in the 1927 final
1927 National Challenge Cup
The 1927 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Final:...
against Holley Carburetor F.C.
Holley Carburetor F.C.
Holley Carburetor F.C. was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by The Holley Brothers Company of Detroit, Michigan. The team went to the final of the 1927 National Challenge Cup where it fell 7-0 to the Fall River Marksmen. Over the next two years, it was eliminated early in the cup, but in 1930, it...
. He also played for the Marksmen in friendlies against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
and in 1930 was a member of the Marksmen squad that toured Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
.
In 1931 when Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers. He also briefly...
relocated and merged the Marksmen franchise twice, White followed the team on both occasions. They first moved to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where they merged with New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
and became the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...
. In the summer of 1931, White played for a Yankees team featuring Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
Adelino William Gonsalves was an American soccer player, sometimes described as the "Babe Ruth of American Soccer". He spent over 25 years playing in various American professional leagues and was a member of the U.S...
, Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now officially credited by FIFA as the scorer of the first hat-trick in World Cup history. He is a member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.-Club career:...
and George Moorhouse
George Moorhouse
George Moorhouse is, reputedly, the first Englishman to appear in a FIFA World Cup. He spent most of his playing career in the United States and earned seven caps with the U.S. national team. He was a member of the U.S. teams at the 1930 FIFA World Cup and 1934 FIFA World Cup...
that twice played Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in friendlies. On May 30 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
the Yankees won 4–3. However on June 28 at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, Celtic won the second game 4–1. The Yankees then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
where they merged with Fall River F.C. to become the New Bedford Whalers. With the Whalers, White won a further two American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
titles and the 1932 National Challenge Cup. On April 3, 1932 he scored the opening goal in a 5–2 win against Stix, Bear and Fuller in the second leg of the final.
Honours
Fall River Marksmen- American Soccer LeagueAmerican Soccer LeagueThe American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
- Winners 1925–26, 1928–29, Fall 1929, Spring 1930, Fall 1930: 5
- National Challenge Cup
- Winners 1927, 1930, 1931: 3
- Lewis Cup
- Winners 1930: 1
- Runners Up 1925: 1
- American CupAmerican CupThe American Cup was the first major U.S. soccer competition open to teams beyond a single league. It was first held in 1885. In the 1910s, it gradually declined in importance with the establishment of the National Challenge Cup...
- Runners Up 1924: 1
New Bedford Whalers
- American Soccer LeagueAmerican Soccer LeagueThe American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
- Winners Fall 1931, Spring 1932: 2
- National Challenge Cup
- Winners 1932: 1