McLaren Jimmy Image 1 Bradford City 1923

Description

Born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, McLaren was Scotland’s goalkeeper in their first ever schools international match, against England before beginning his football career with Bonnybridge Heatherbell. He joined hometown club Stenhousemuir in 1919, playing initially in the Central League and made 37 appearances for The Warriors in their first Scottish League season in 1921-22 before a transfer to Second Division club Bradford City in the 1922 close season, making his Football League debut in the last match of the season at Clapton Orient in May 1923 having understudied to legendary goalkeeper Jock Ewart.

When Ewart joined Airdrieonians McLaren took over the gloves and was ever present for The Bantams in 1923-24 and the regular incumbent for three further seasons but towards the end of their 1926-27 relegation season, After 161 matches for Bradford City, McLaren was signed by First Division club Leicester City in May 1927 in time to make his Foxes debut against Newcastle United in the last match of the season in place of another legendary Scottish goalkeeper, Kenny Campbell.

For the next six seasons McLaren was the principal custodian at Filbert Street, and Leicester finished third in the League Championship in 1927-28 and followed that with a runners up finish in 1928-29, the club’s highest ever League finish until they went one better to win the Premier League in 2016. McLaren played 180 matches for The Foxes, joining Third Division (South) club Watford in the 1933 close season, where he was the principal incumbent for a further six seasons, missing only one match in their 1934-35 campaign, helping them to five straight top six finishes. McLaren also kept goal as Watford won the 1937 Third Division South Cup before losing his place in January 1939 after 226 matches for The Hornets and retiring with the outbreak of the Second World War later that year.

NB in the photograph taken at The Nest, Croydon on 20th October 1923, Crystal Palace forward Billy Morgan shoulder charges Bradford City goalkeeper Jimmy McLaren (legal in those days!). Crystal Palace won the match 3-0.