Jimmy Philip
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Philip was the very first manager of Scottish
football
club Aberdeen FC
. He was in charge of the club from its foundation in 1903 until his retirement in 1924. He died in a car crash in Belfast
in 1930.
on 15 August 1903. In that first season, Aberdeen won the Aberdeenshire Cup
, and subsequently made a bid to be elected to the Scottish League First Division. Philip was despatched to Glasgow to make the club's case, and returned with the promise of enough support. However, the final decision of the existing league members was to elect Aberdeen to the Second Division.
During that second season, the Qualifying Cup was won at Dens Park
in Dundee
, a 2-0 victory over Renton
, former Scottish Cup
holders. Progress in the league was not so straightforward, and the club ended the season in seventh place of twelve. However, a proposal by Celtic
to expand Division 1 to 16 clubs meant that places were available for the 1905-06
season, and Aberdeen were duly elected.
Thereafter, progress was steady rather than spectacular, the club finishing in 12th position in the next two seasons, although there was a Scottish Cup semi-final in 1908, in which Celtic prevailed at Pittodrie
. For the next few seasons, Aberdeen seem to have been genuine contenders for League honours, topping the table on more than one occasion, but never at season's end. In the 1910-11 season
, both Rangers
and Celtic were beaten at Pittodrie for the first time, and another Cup semi-final followed. That game, too, was lost to Celtic, but the strength of the side that season led to an invitation to a close season tour of Bohemia
, Moravia
, and Poland
.
After the end of the 1911-12 season
, Philip served as a referee at the Olympic Games in Stockholm
.
In April 1920, Philip's position became full-time, in spite of the relative penury of the club at this time, but during wartime, the position reverted to part-time. The manager and players struggled on through the early years of the war, the team often made up of locally billeted servicemen, but by early 1917, the strain on finances, and the lack of public enthusiasm was too much, and the club withdrew from competition.
On the resumption of football in 1919, Philip was offered his old, full-time post at a salary of £350 per annum; a move which caused some controversy among the directors at the time. Philip accepted, and prepared to take the club forward into the new decade.
The early 1920s proved no more fruitful for Philip and his team than the prewar era, but one record was set which still stands as of September 2006 - Aberdeen's record victory of 13-0 over Peterhead
in 1923. There were two further unsuccessful Cup semi-finals, in 1922 and 1924, but Philip's reign came to an end with no senior silverware to show for it.
, becoming a director, and was also involved with the Clan MacGregor
. He died in a road traffic accident in Belfast
in 1930.
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...
football
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...
club Aberdeen FC
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. He was in charge of the club from its foundation in 1903 until his retirement in 1924. He died in a car crash in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1930.
Early life
Little is recorded about Philip's early life, but it is known that he was a native Aberdonian, that he had a wide range of sporting interests, and that he had proposed to underwrite the very first overseas tour by a Scottish international team. He was also a referee, although by profession he was a wood-turner.Aberdeen FC manager
Philip was appointed part-time manager for the first competitive game of the new club, a 1-1 draw with StenhousemuirStenhousemuir 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....
on 15 August 1903. In that first season, Aberdeen won the Aberdeenshire Cup
Aberdeenshire Cup
The Aberdeenshire Cup is a football tournament for all senior clubs in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The Aberdeen Football Club itself holds the record on cups won, having won it 39 times. Aberdeen often don't take part in the competition, to avoid fixture congestion...
, and subsequently made a bid to be elected to the Scottish League First Division. Philip was despatched to Glasgow to make the club's case, and returned with the promise of enough support. However, the final decision of the existing league members was to elect Aberdeen to the Second Division.
During that second season, the Qualifying Cup was won at Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
in Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, a 2-0 victory over Renton
Renton, Scotland
Renton is a small district in central Scotland. In the 2001 National Census it had a population of 2,138.Renton is particularly famous for the village's association football side. Renton F.C...
, former 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...
holders. Progress in the league was not so straightforward, and the club ended the season in seventh place of twelve. However, a proposal by 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...
to expand Division 1 to 16 clubs meant that places were available for the 1905-06
1905-06 in Scottish football
The 1905–06 season was the 16th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic-Scottish League division two:Next season there are eighteen teams in Division One and twelve teams in Division Two....
season, and Aberdeen were duly elected.
Thereafter, progress was steady rather than spectacular, the club finishing in 12th position in the next two seasons, although there was a Scottish Cup semi-final in 1908, in which Celtic prevailed at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
. For the next few seasons, Aberdeen seem to have been genuine contenders for League honours, topping the table on more than one occasion, but never at season's end. In the 1910-11 season
1910-11 in Scottish football
The 1910–11 season was the 21st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers- Scottish League Division Two :This season Ayr and Ayr Parkhouse have merged to form Ayr United...
, both 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 Celtic were beaten at Pittodrie for the first time, and another Cup semi-final followed. That game, too, was lost to Celtic, but the strength of the side that season led to an invitation to a close season tour of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
After the end of the 1911-12 season
1911-12 in Scottish football
The 1911–12 season was the 22nd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers- Scottish League Division Two :-Scottish Cup:...
, Philip served as a referee at the Olympic Games in Stockholm
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
.
In April 1920, Philip's position became full-time, in spite of the relative penury of the club at this time, but during wartime, the position reverted to part-time. The manager and players struggled on through the early years of the war, the team often made up of locally billeted servicemen, but by early 1917, the strain on finances, and the lack of public enthusiasm was too much, and the club withdrew from competition.
On the resumption of football in 1919, Philip was offered his old, full-time post at a salary of £350 per annum; a move which caused some controversy among the directors at the time. Philip accepted, and prepared to take the club forward into the new decade.
The early 1920s proved no more fruitful for Philip and his team than the prewar era, but one record was set which still stands as of September 2006 - Aberdeen's record victory of 13-0 over Peterhead
Peterhead F.C.
Peterhead F.C. are a football club based in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They currently play in the Scottish Football League Third Division, following promotion in the 2004–05 season.Their home ground is Balmoor in Peterhead, with a capacity of 4,000...
in 1923. There were two further unsuccessful Cup semi-finals, in 1922 and 1924, but Philip's reign came to an end with no senior silverware to show for it.
Final years
Philip retired as Aberdeen manager at the end of the 1923-24 season1923-24 in Scottish football
The 1923–24 season was the 34th season of competitive football in Scotland. A Third Division was introduced adding to Division One and Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Clyde, Clydebank...
, becoming a director, and was also involved with the Clan MacGregor
Clan MacGregor
Clan Gregor, Clan McGregor, Clan MacGregor or Clan M'Gregor is a Highland Scottish clan. It is the most senior clan of Siol Alpin, translated as referring to King Kenneth I, descending from the ancient Kings of the Picts and Dál Riata...
. He died in a road traffic accident in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in 1930.