Jim Patterson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Patterson is a former professional footballer and all-time record goalscorer for Scottish League club Queen of the South
.
in his native Perthshire
, with his performances catching the attentions of onlooking scouts. One of these was from Queen of the South
, who, rather than move for the big forward, were waiting for his demob from the army. This nearly cost the Dumfries club dear. Patterson was invited to spend a weekend with Manchester City for a trial and look around. An ex-Queens player, Jackie Oakes
, was at City at the time and made arrangements for Patterson's accommodation in anticipation of his extended stay. However Patterson had a change of heart and returned to Scotland
. This was when Queen of the South made their move.
, Dougie Sharpe
and Billy Houliston
at Palmerston Park
as players. Jimmy Binning
joined in 1951 and goal scoring outside right Bobby Black
in 1952. All would represent Scotland at some level except Henderson despite being selected six times as reserve goalkeeper for Scotland
.
Patterson made his Queens debut against Dundee
at Palmerston on 12 November 1949. Although Queens were relegated in 1950 this was also the only season in the 20th century when the club would reach the Scottish Cup
semi finals. Queens were promoted straight back to the top flight as Scottish B Division champions in 1950–51. The success of that season was enhanced by a run to the semi final of the Scottish League Cup
. The early and mid 1950s saw the club's most successful spell to date, achieving consistent mid table finishes in the Scottish A Division, as the top flight was then called. This peaked with a sixth place finish in 1956, a finish surpassed only once in the club's history. In one game against reigning champions Hibs
in 1951–52, Patterson outshone their Famous Five forward line by hitting four goals in Queens' 5-2 win.
Queens were subsequently relegated from the top division in 1959. The following year, former Scotland and long time Blackpool
FA Cup
winning goalkeeper George Farm
signed for Queens. Queens would make it to the League Cup semi final in 1960–61 for the second time. Farm was made player-manager in 1961 and with Jim Patterson still playing the club were promoted back to the top division in 1962. Thus Patterson finished at Queens playing top division football. With Patterson at Queens at this time were future Scotland centre forward Neil Martin
, right winger Ernie Hannigan
who like Martin went on to play in England's top division and long servants Allan Ball
and Iain McChesney.
Patterson's greatest scoring feat came when he scored six goals in a 7–0 win v Cowdenbeath
during the 1961–62 season. He was one of the few full time Queens players of that era. 251 goals for the club has Patterson as the record goalscorer by a considerable margin. Bobby Black is the 2nd highest goalscorer with the club on 120 goals, with Andy Thomson
the 3rd highest goalscorer on 114. Patterson made 462 appearances with Queens between 1949 and 1963 and is 3rd highest in the club's record appearances list behind Allan Ball and Iain McChesney. His last game for Queens was at Shawfield Stadium
against Clyde
on 4 May 1963.
Patterson's scoring exploits were honoured with one game for Scotland, when he led the Scottish attack versus The Army in 1953 at Hampden Park
. Patterson can consider himself unlucky to have played his best years at a time when quality Scottish centre forwards were in abundance with the likes of Lawrie Reilly
.
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
.
Early years
Patterson was playing for LuncartyLuncarty F.C.
Luncarty J.F.C. is a Scottish football club based in the village of Luncarty, near Perth, Perth and Kinross. They were formed in 1886 by employees of a local bleachworks and after some years in local Senior football, joined the Junior grade in 1921...
in his native Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, with his performances catching the attentions of onlooking scouts. One of these was from Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
, who, rather than move for the big forward, were waiting for his demob from the army. This nearly cost the Dumfries club dear. Patterson was invited to spend a weekend with Manchester City for a trial and look around. An ex-Queens player, Jackie Oakes
Jackie Oakes
Jackie Oakes was a Scottish footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queen of the South, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City. Born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, his position was left winger...
, was at City at the time and made arrangements for Patterson's accommodation in anticipation of his extended stay. However Patterson had a change of heart and returned to 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...
. This was when Queen of the South made their move.
Queen of the South
Patterson was signed by Queens manager Jimmy McKinnell, Jr. in 1949. At the time, Queen of the South had been in the top division of Scottish football since 1933, a club that already had McKinnell as manager and Roy HendersonRoy Henderson (footballer)
Roy Henderson was a former Scottish professional football goalkeeper best known for his time with Dumfries club Queen of the South.-Early years:...
, Dougie Sharpe
Dougie Sharpe
Dougie Sharpe was a former Scottish footballer who played for Queen of the South from the town of Dumfries.-Early years:...
and Billy Houliston
Billy Houliston
William "Billy" Houliston was a Scottish footballer who played for Crichton, Queen of the South, Berwick Rangers, Third Lanark and the Scotland national team.-Early years:...
at Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of...
as players. Jimmy Binning
Jimmy Binning
Ian "Jimmy" Binning was a Scottish footballer who played for Arbroath and Dumfries side Queen of the South.-Arbroath:From season 1948-49 until his departure Jimmy Binning scored six goals in his 84 league games for Arbroath....
joined in 1951 and goal scoring outside right Bobby Black
Bobby Black
Bobby Black is a Scottish ex-professional footballer from Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway perhaps best known for his time at East Fife and Queen of the South and was also capped by the Scottish League. Black later was an all England bowls champion...
in 1952. All would represent Scotland at some level except Henderson despite being selected six times as reserve goalkeeper for 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...
.
Patterson made his Queens debut against Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
at Palmerston on 12 November 1949. Although Queens were relegated in 1950 this was also the only season in the 20th century when the club would reach the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi finals. Queens were promoted straight back to the top flight as Scottish B Division champions in 1950–51. The success of that season was enhanced by a run to the semi final of the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
. The early and mid 1950s saw the club's most successful spell to date, achieving consistent mid table finishes in the Scottish A Division, as the top flight was then called. This peaked with a sixth place finish in 1956, a finish surpassed only once in the club's history. In one game against reigning champions Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1951–52, Patterson outshone their Famous Five forward line by hitting four goals in Queens' 5-2 win.
Queens were subsequently relegated from the top division in 1959. The following year, former Scotland and long time Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
winning goalkeeper George Farm
George Farm
George Neil Farm was a Scottish professional football goalkeeper and manager.Born in Slateford, a suburb of Edinburgh, Farm represented his country on ten occasions, the last three of which occurred after a gap of five years....
signed for Queens. Queens would make it to the League Cup semi final in 1960–61 for the second time. Farm was made player-manager in 1961 and with Jim Patterson still playing the club were promoted back to the top division in 1962. Thus Patterson finished at Queens playing top division football. With Patterson at Queens at this time were future Scotland centre forward Neil Martin
Neil Martin
Neil Martin is a Scottish former football player, who scored 100 league goals in both Scotland and England and won three full international caps for Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his strength, power, bravery and commitment, Martin scored consistently in a journeyman career...
, right winger Ernie Hannigan
Ernie Hannigan
Ernest 'Ernie' Hannigan is a Scottish former footballer. Hannigan was a fast, tricky, right winger. He is perhaps best known for his games at 3 clubs and the partnership he forged with Scotland international centre forward Neil Martin at 2 of them; 147 games at Queen of the South and 47 at...
who like Martin went on to play in England's top division and long servants Allan Ball
Allan Ball
Allan Ball is an English former footballer. Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, Ball played as a goalkeeper, spending most of his professional career with Scottish club Queen of the South. Ball made 731 first team appearances for Queens, a club record, between 1963 and 1982...
and Iain McChesney.
Patterson's greatest scoring feat came when he scored six goals in a 7–0 win v Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
during the 1961–62 season. He was one of the few full time Queens players of that era. 251 goals for the club has Patterson as the record goalscorer by a considerable margin. Bobby Black is the 2nd highest goalscorer with the club on 120 goals, with Andy Thomson
Andy Thomson (Scottish footballer)
Andrew "Andy" Thomson is a former Scottish professional football player. He played in 549 league matches, scoring 195 league goals in a career that saw him play for Queen of the South, Partick Thistle, Falkirk and Stenhousemuir in Scotland and Southend United, Oxford United, Gillingham and...
the 3rd highest goalscorer on 114. Patterson made 462 appearances with Queens between 1949 and 1963 and is 3rd highest in the club's record appearances list behind Allan Ball and Iain McChesney. His last game for Queens was at Shawfield Stadium
Shawfield Stadium
Shawfield Stadium is a greyhound racing venue in the town of Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, located close to the boundary with Glasgow. It has also previously been a regular venue for football and speedway, as home to Clyde F.C. and the Glasgow Tigers respectively...
against Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
on 4 May 1963.
Patterson's scoring exploits were honoured with one game for Scotland, when he led the Scottish attack versus The Army in 1953 at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
. Patterson can consider himself unlucky to have played his best years at a time when quality Scottish centre forwards were in abundance with the likes of Lawrie Reilly
Lawrie Reilly
Lawrance "Lawrie" Reilly is a former Scottish association football player. He was one of the "Famous Five", the Hibernian forward line during the 1950s. The others were Bobby Johnstone, Gordon Smith, Eddie Turnbull, and Willie Ormond...
.