Hugall Jimmy Image 1 Clapton Orient 1920

Description

Whitburn, County Durham born goalkeeper Jimmy Hugall played in local football in the Sunderland area before joining Second Division Clapton Orient in July 1910 from hometown club Whitburn, making his Football League debut against Stockport County on the last day of 1910. It took him until September 1914 to establish himself as first choice with the gloves, however the onset pf the First World War which forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915 soon put a temporary halt to his League career.

Hugall served as a corporal with the 17th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), more popularly known as The Footballers’ Battalion, and then with the 12th (Service) Battalion of The Durham Light Infantry during the War, being commissioned as lieutenant on 24 July 1916. He was wounded on three occasions but survived unlike several Clapton Orient colleagues.

Upon resumption of peacetime football he returned to Clapton Orient and played his last game for them in August 1921, joining Scottish League club Hamilton Academical the following year after 143 appearances for The O’s. He returned to England in August 1923, signing for Third Division (North) club Durham City, playing 38 times for them during 1923-24 before joining non league Seaham Colliery after the end of the season, his last recorded club before his eventual retirement.