Jimmy Bone
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Bone is a Scottish
former professional association footballer who played as a striker. Following his playing retirement he moved into coaching and has managed a number of Scottish League
clubs.
-playing Stirling High School, Bone developed a keen interest in football, through representative games with his local boys brigade. He began his professional career with Partick Thistle
, whom he joined from junior side Airth Castle Rovers in 1968 and spent four seasons with the Jags. During this time they suffered their first ever relegation from the First Division
, finishing bottom of the table in 1969–70
. However, the next season Bone was an integral part of the side that won the Second Division
title and instant promotion back to the top flight. He earned another, unexpected, medal in 1971–72
when Partick won the Scottish League Cup
by beating the overwhelming favourites Celtic
. Celtic were the reigning League champions and had been European Cup
finalists only two years earlier but Bone's 37th minute goal helped Partick to a 4–0 halftime lead, the Jags eventually winning 4–1.
in February 1972, joining Norwich City
in a £
30,000 deal. Noted for his very fast runs down the wing, he helped Norwich secure the second division championship at the end of the 1971–72 season
and scored the club's first ever goal in division one at the start of the following campaign. He joined Sheffield United
for £30,000 in March 1973.
(£25,000) and Arbroath
(£12,000) in 1974 and 1975 respectively. He stayed with the Red Lichties for three seasons but his consistent scoring was not enough to gain them promotion to the new Premier Division, following the league reconstruction of 1975–76
.
In January 1978 Bone became one of Alex Ferguson
's last signings as St Mirren manager, moving to the Paisley
club for £25,000. He was appointed captain by Ferguson's successor,
Jim Clunie, and helped the side to victory in the Anglo-Scottish Cup
and qualification for the UEFA Cup
in the 1979–80 season
. He moved to Hong Kong Rangers in 1981 and returned to Britain with Hearts
in August 1983.
Bone was one of several veterans in the Hearts team and as a result the side was caustically dubbed Dad's Army
. However, the recently-promoted side performed above expectations, finishing fifth in the League and qualifying for European competition. Bone scored several important goals, including the winner as Hearts defeated derby
rivals Hibernian
at Tynecastle
for the first time in ten years. The following year he notched the side's 6,000th League goal. He left to take up the role of player-manager at Arbroath
in February 1985.
for the first time in 28 years that season, while maintaining a safe position in the Premier Division. He left the Paisley side in April 1988 following a public dispute with striker Frank McGarvey
. After a brief stint coaching with Dundee United
he returned to management with First Division Airdrie
, where he stayed until 1991. He spent a year in charge of Zambia
n side Power Dynamos FC
before returning to St Mirren as manager. In four seasons he was unable to gain promotion with the Saints and eventually resigned in 1996. He spent one season as East Fife
's manager before becoming assistant to Jocky Scott
at Dundee
.
Bone was appointed Stenhousemuir
's manager in 2001 but again his tenure lasted only one season. He served as Alex Smith's assistant at Ross County
between 2002 and 2004, before Dick Campbell
made him his assistant at Partick Thistle
in 2005. When Campbell was sacked in March 2007, Bone assumed the role of caretaker manager for the last two months of the season. He left Partick after their appointment of Ian McCall
as manager on 25 May 2007. Bone was ridiculed for trying to bring Karim Benzema to the Firhill club. John Lambie was especially discontent with his moves, reportedly stating that he thought Stephane Bonnes
was a much better option. The following December he moved south of the border to assist fellow Scotsman Bobby Williamson
at Chester City
but left the position just two months later after a poor run of form.
Bone found cult fame via his erratic goalscoring celebration. After scoring, Bone would collapse on all fours and slowly crawl back to the centre circle as if to say "hey, give the dog a bone".
He now coaches young pupils at Craigie High School in order to bring up new Scottish talent. It is organised by the S.F.A.
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...
former professional association footballer who played as a striker. Following his playing retirement he moved into coaching and has managed a number of 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...
clubs.
Early career
Despite attending the rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
-playing Stirling High School, Bone developed a keen interest in football, through representative games with his local boys brigade. He began his professional career with Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
, whom he joined from junior side Airth Castle Rovers in 1968 and spent four seasons with the Jags. During this time they suffered their first ever relegation from the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
, finishing bottom of the table in 1969–70
1969-70 in Scottish football
The 1969–70 season was the 73rd season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Raith Rovers, Partick Thistle-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Falkirk, Cowdenbeath-Cups:...
. However, the next season Bone was an integral part of the side that won the Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
title and instant promotion back to the top flight. He earned another, unexpected, medal in 1971–72
1971-72 in Scottish football
The 1971–72 season was the 75th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Clyde, Dunfermline-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Dumbarton, Arbroath-Cup honours:...
when Partick won 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...
by beating the overwhelming favourites 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...
. Celtic were the reigning League champions and had been European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
finalists only two years earlier but Bone's 37th minute goal helped Partick to a 4–0 halftime lead, the Jags eventually winning 4–1.
Move to England
Bone moved south of the borderEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in February 1972, joining Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in a £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
30,000 deal. Noted for his very fast runs down the wing, he helped Norwich secure the second division championship at the end of the 1971–72 season
1971-72 in English football
The 1971–72 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in England.-FA Cup:Leeds United overcame holders Arsenal to win the 1972 FA Cup Final...
and scored the club's first ever goal in division one at the start of the following campaign. He joined Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
for £30,000 in March 1973.
Return to Scotland
Bone made further moves to CelticCeltic 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...
(£25,000) and Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
(£12,000) in 1974 and 1975 respectively. He stayed with the Red Lichties for three seasons but his consistent scoring was not enough to gain them promotion to the new Premier Division, following the league reconstruction of 1975–76
1975-76 in Scottish football
The 1975–76 season was the 79th season of Scottish league football. It was the first season in the new, three-tier setup. Division One was no longer the top division in Scottish football, although all three divisions are still part of the Scottish Football League.The Premier Division...
.
In January 1978 Bone became one of Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
's last signings as St Mirren manager, moving to the Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
club for £25,000. He was appointed captain by Ferguson's successor,
Jim Clunie, and helped the side to victory in the Anglo-Scottish Cup
Anglo-Scottish Cup
The Anglo-Scottish Cup was a tournament arranged for teams in the English and Scottish football leagues during the summer for several years during the 1970s...
and qualification for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in the 1979–80 season
1979-80 in Scottish football
The 1979–80 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dundee, Hibernian-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hearts, Airdrieonians...
. He moved to Hong Kong Rangers in 1981 and returned to Britain with Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in August 1983.
Bone was one of several veterans in the Hearts team and as a result the side was caustically dubbed Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
. However, the recently-promoted side performed above expectations, finishing fifth in the League and qualifying for European competition. Bone scored several important goals, including the winner as Hearts defeated derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
rivals Hibernian
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...
at Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
for the first time in ten years. The following year he notched the side's 6,000th League goal. He left to take up the role of player-manager at Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
in February 1985.
Managerial career
Bone stayed with Arbroath for almost two years before moving to another former club St Mirren, as Alex Smith's assistant manager in December 1986. The side won the Scottish CupScottish 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...
for the first time in 28 years that season, while maintaining a safe position in the Premier Division. He left the Paisley side in April 1988 following a public dispute with striker Frank McGarvey
Frank McGarvey
Frank McGarvey is a retired football player. Most notable for playing as a striker for Celtic and St. Mirren, he also played seven times for the Scotland national team....
. After a brief stint coaching with Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
he returned to management with First Division Airdrie
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
, where he stayed until 1991. He spent a year in charge of Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
n side Power Dynamos FC
Power Dynamos FC
Power Dynamos FC is a Zambian football club based in Kitwe, Zambia.Its home stadium is known as Arthur Davis Stadium. The club is sponsored by Copperbelt Energy Corporation.-Honors:*African Cup Winners' Cup: 1*Zambian Premier League: 6...
before returning to St Mirren as manager. In four seasons he was unable to gain promotion with the Saints and eventually resigned in 1996. He spent one season as East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
's manager before becoming assistant to Jocky Scott
Jocky Scott
John Alexander Scott is a Scottish football coach and former player probably best known for his playing career, and three managerial spells with Dundee. Scott is currently the manager of Scottish Football League club Stirling Albion.- Club career :Scott played for Scotland, Dundee and Aberdeen...
at 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...
.
Bone was appointed Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
's manager in 2001 but again his tenure lasted only one season. He served as Alex Smith's assistant at Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
between 2002 and 2004, before Dick Campbell
Dick Campbell
the folk singer-songwriter and film producer|Dick Campbell |Richard "Dick" Campbell is a Scottish association football manager and former player...
made him his assistant at Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in 2005. When Campbell was sacked in March 2007, Bone assumed the role of caretaker manager for the last two months of the season. He left Partick after their appointment of Ian McCall
Ian McCall
Ian Holland McCall is a Scottish former footballer and is currently without a job having resigned as the manager of First Division side Partick Thistle.-Playing career:...
as manager on 25 May 2007. Bone was ridiculed for trying to bring Karim Benzema to the Firhill club. John Lambie was especially discontent with his moves, reportedly stating that he thought Stephane Bonnes
Stéphane Bonnes
Stephane Bonnes is a former footballer who played for Mulhouse F.C, Celtic, Partick Thistle and Saint-Louis-Neuweg...
was a much better option. The following December he moved south of the border to assist fellow Scotsman Bobby Williamson
Bobby Williamson
Robert "Bobby" Williamson is a former association footballer who is currently manager of the Uganda national football team. He previously managed Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Championship.-Playing career:As a player, Williamson...
at Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
but left the position just two months later after a poor run of form.
Personal life
Bone is a keen fan of the heavy metal band, Anthrax.Bone found cult fame via his erratic goalscoring celebration. After scoring, Bone would collapse on all fours and slowly crawl back to the centre circle as if to say "hey, give the dog a bone".
He now coaches young pupils at Craigie High School in order to bring up new Scottish talent. It is organised by the S.F.A.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 18 October 1972 | Parken Stadium Parken Stadium Parken Stadium is a football stadium in the Indre Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark, built from 1990–1992. It currently has a capacity of 38,065 for football games, and is the home ground of F.C. Københaven and the Danish national football team... , Copenhagen Copenhagen Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region... , Denmark Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... |
1–4 | Win | 1974 FIFA WC qualification 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) Listed below are the dates and results for the 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification.... |
||||||
| Correct as of 9 September 2010 | |||||||||||
External links
- Scotland appearances at londonhearts.com
- Hearts appearances at londonhearts.com