Jimmy Soye
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Soye was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an inside-forward for various clubs in Scotland, Ireland and England in the period prior to World War I
.
area of Glasgow
and trained as an electrical engineer. After playing Junior Football
for Rutherglen Glencairn
, Soye moved to Belfast
where he had a trial with Belfast Celtic before joining Distillery at the end of the 1903–04 season.
In his one season at Distillery, his 14 goals helped the Whites win three trophies, the Irish Cup
, the City Cup
and the County Antrim Shield
when he scored in the Final.
In the summer of 1905, he moved to southern England
to join Southampton
of the Southern League
. The "Saints" were anxious to regain the Southern League title which they had taken six times in the eight years up to 1904, but had finished in a disappointing third place at the end of the 1904–05 season
. He made his debut away to Norwich City
on 9 September 1905 when he played at inside-right in a 1–1 draw. Although Soye was only 5 ft 8 in tall, he was "muscular and clever enough to avoid the more robust challenges". He soon became an established member of the side, helping the forwards Fred Harrison and Harry Brown
to score, as well as contributing the occasional goal himself, including both goals in a 2–1 victory against Queens Park Rangers
on 4 November. As the season progressed, his form trailed off and by the end of January, he had lost his place to Frank Jefferis
. At the end of the season, Southampton finished as runners-up, five points behind champions Fulham
.
In May 1906, he moved to Newcastle United
of the Football League First Division
, together with his Southampton team-mate, Harry Brown
. At St James' Park
, Soye was unable to break into the first-team on a regular basis, with Scotland
international James Howie
well settled in the inside-right berth. Although Newcastle won the Football League
championship in the 1905–06 season, Soye made only one appearance followed by six appearances, with two goals, in the following season. He spent the entire 1907–08 season in the reserves and, after only seven first-team appearances in three years, he returned to Scotland.
In May 1909, he was part of the deal which brought Wilf Low
to St James' Park for a fee of £800 from Aberdeen
. At Pittodrie, Soye made his debut scoring in a 3–0 defeat of Port Glasgow Athletic
and soon became an established member of the team, settling into the right-wing position. Over the next six seasons, Soye made over 200 league and cup appearances for the "Dons" and was also "capped" by the Scottish Football League
against the Southern League
on 2 October 1911. The outbreak of the First World War brought his career to a close.
Southampton
Aberdeen
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Football career
Soye was born in the GovanGovan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
area of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and trained as an electrical engineer. After playing Junior Football
Scottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
for Rutherglen Glencairn
Rutherglen Glencairn F.C.
Rutherglen Glencairn Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Rutherglen,...
, Soye moved to 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...
where he had a trial with Belfast Celtic before joining Distillery at the end of the 1903–04 season.
In his one season at Distillery, his 14 goals helped the Whites win three trophies, the Irish Cup
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
, the City Cup
City Cup (Northern Ireland)
The City Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Northern Ireland. It was run by the Irish Football Association. It had previously been known as the Dunville Cup and ceased to exist in 1976...
and the County Antrim Shield
County Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
when he scored in the Final.
In the summer of 1905, he moved to southern England
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
to join Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
of the 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...
. The "Saints" were anxious to regain the Southern League title which they had taken six times in the eight years up to 1904, but had finished in a disappointing third place at the end of the 1904–05 season
Southern Football League 1904-05
The 1904–05 Southern League season saw Bristol Rovers win Division One and Fulham reserves finishing top of Division Two. Division Two club Clapton Orient were the only Southern League club to apply for election to the Football League, and were successful after a decision was made to expand the...
. He made his debut away to 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...
on 9 September 1905 when he played at inside-right in a 1–1 draw. Although Soye was only 5 ft 8 in tall, he was "muscular and clever enough to avoid the more robust challenges". He soon became an established member of the side, helping the forwards Fred Harrison and Harry Brown
Harry Brown (footballer born 1883)
Henry "Harry" Brown was an English footballer who played as an inside forward for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Fulham and Southampton...
to score, as well as contributing the occasional goal himself, including both goals in a 2–1 victory against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on 4 November. As the season progressed, his form trailed off and by the end of January, he had lost his place to Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis was a football player.-Playing career:He initially played football for his local non-league team, Fordingbridge Turks, before being invited for a trial at The Dell by Southampton of the Southern League in March 1905...
. At the end of the season, Southampton finished as runners-up, five points behind champions Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
In May 1906, he moved to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
of the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, together with his Southampton team-mate, Harry Brown
Harry Brown (footballer born 1883)
Henry "Harry" Brown was an English footballer who played as an inside forward for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Fulham and Southampton...
. At St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
, Soye was unable to break into the first-team on a regular basis, with Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
international James Howie
James Howie
James "Jimmy" Howie was a Scottish footballer who later became a manager.Born in Galston, Ayrshire, he joined Kilmarnock from local side Galston Athletic in 1898. He was in the side which won the 1899 Second Division title and the following season earned selection to the Scottish League...
well settled in the inside-right berth. Although Newcastle won the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
championship in the 1905–06 season, Soye made only one appearance followed by six appearances, with two goals, in the following season. He spent the entire 1907–08 season in the reserves and, after only seven first-team appearances in three years, he returned to Scotland.
In May 1909, he was part of the deal which brought Wilf Low
Wilf Low
Wilfrid "Wilf" Lawson Low was a footballer who played as a centre-half for Aberdeen and Newcastle United....
to St James' Park for a fee of £800 from Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. At Pittodrie, Soye made his debut scoring in a 3–0 defeat of Port Glasgow Athletic
Port Glasgow Athletic F.C.
Port Glasgow Athletic were a senior Scottish Football club formed in 1880. It was originally named Broadfield before changing its name in 1881....
and soon became an established member of the team, settling into the right-wing position. Over the next six seasons, Soye made over 200 league and cup appearances for the "Dons" and was also "capped" by the Scottish Football 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...
against the 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...
on 2 October 1911. The outbreak of the First World War brought his career to a close.
Honours
Distillery- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
: 1905 - City CupCity Cup (Northern Ireland)The City Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Northern Ireland. It was run by the Irish Football Association. It had previously been known as the Dunville Cup and ceased to exist in 1976...
: 1905 - County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
: 1905
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe 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...
runners-up: 1905–06Southern Football League 1905-06The 1905–06 Southern League season saw Fulham win Division One and Crystal Palace finishing top of Division Two. No clubs were relegated from Division One as it was expanded to 20 clubs the following season...
Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
- Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football LeagueThe 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...
runners-up: 1910–11