Comrie Jimmy Image 2 Reading 1912

Description

Denny, Stirlingshire born centre half Jimmy Comrie joined Dunipace in 1902 before moving to Scottish League Third Lanark a year later, from where he joined Southern League Reading in 1906. In May 1907 he moved to Second Division Glossop North End becoming club captain and making his Football League debut for The Hillmen at Leeds City that September, playing 37 times, scoring once, as Glossop finished 17th in 1907-08. He was described as “a capital defender, alert and stout hearted. Is quick to change defence into attack. Knows how to shoot.”

He made only 3 more appearances for Glossop before First Division Bradford City signed him in September 1908 and he scored 3 times in 48 appearances for The Bantams over the next two seasons before joining Lincoln City in November 1910. He had a single season at Sincil Bank scoring once in 12 appearances before joining Midland League club Grantham in 1911. He returned to Scotland later the same year to join Stenhousemuir before re-joining Reading in 1912, playing on loan for Boston Swifts in 1913.

In 1915, during the second year of the First World War, Comrie enlisted as a private in The Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed on 9th August 1916 near Méteren, France, during The Battle of the Somme. Comrie is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

His younger brother George played for Millwall and Huddersfield Town in addition to Dunipace and Third Lanark. His nephew Malcolm played for several clubs in the 1930’s including Manchester City, Burnley and Crystal Palace.