REMEMBERING LEIGHTON JAMES

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2024-04-22T17:00:00.000Z

REMEMBERING LEIGHTON JAMES

2024-04-22T17:00:00.000Z

James was spotted whilst playing for Neath Boys Club in South Wales and was soon snapped up by the Clarets. Initially he signed as an apprentice in October 1968 at the tender age of 15 and was then offered a professional contract with the club on his seventeenth birthday, in February 1970.

After inspiring displays with the Reserve team, the young Welshman was soon tantalising defences in the First Division of the Football League. He made his first team debut here at Turf Moor in November 1970, against Nottingham Forest and was also instrumental in helping the Youth team reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup during the season

Fondly nicknamed the ‘Welsh Wizard’, James was soon mesmerising the adoring public as torn defences to shreds with his speed and nimbleness.

His flair and skills soon earned him an international call-up for Wales and he made his first of 54 appearances against Czechoslovakia, in October 1971.

During the 1972/73 Second Division Championship winning season he was ever-present, as he helped the Clarets secure promotion back to the First Division.

He continued to torment the best defences in the world with his sublime style of play and was top scorer for the Clarets during the 1974/75 season. He soon caught the attention of many clubs and in November 1975 he joined reigning ‘Football League Champions’ Derby County, for a club record fee of £310,000.

After two years at the Baseball ground he joined Queens Park Rangers prior to bring snapped by Harry Potts for a club record fee of £165,000. During his second spell at Turf Moor he was instrumental in helping the Clarets win the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1978 and stave off relegation to the Third Division.

In May 1980 in move back to South Wales and joined Swansea City, where he enjoyed a renaissance period with the Swans under the leadership of another Welsh legend, John Toshack.

Later, after a year-long spell with Sunderland, he rekindled his acquaintance with former Burnley players Martin Dobson and Frank Casper at Gigg Lane. After helping the ‘Shakers’ gain promotion to the Third Division he again moved back to South Wales and joined Newport County in 1985, as player/coach.

Now in his early thirties he signed for the Burnley for a third time in July 1986 with the Clarets struggling in the bottom tier of the Football League.

Having played for Burnley during the halcyon days of the 1970’s he was now helping to stave off relegation to the Vauxhall Conference. James played a crucial role during the season and was leading goal-scorer. He featured in the ‘Must Win’ game against Orient and twelve months later he played in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final at Wembley.

Fittingly, his final game was here at Turf Moor in 1989, almost two decades after making his first appearance for the Clarets.

He remained in football in various coaching and management roles, latterly in South Wales.

Leighton James was no doubt, one of the best footballers in the British Isles, a player who mesmerised and tantalised not just defenders, but the many thousands who would amass on the terraces to watch him play. He was a pure footballing genius and a joy to watch.

Our thoughts are with his family and all his friends during these sad times.