Gordon Jimmy Image 2 Middlesbrough 1948

Description

Fauldhouse, West Lothian born right half Jimmy Gordon played for Wishaw Juniors in 1934 before signing for Second Division Newcastle United for £50 in April 1935, making his Football League debut at Oldham Athletic the same month. He became a first team regular and was described as “while not indulging a great deal of fancy tricks, shows much talent and makes his presence felt”, being frequently tipped for international honours. He scored 3 goals in 144 appearances for Newcastle through to the suspension of peacetime football due to the outbreak of the Second World War, during which he served in the Army and played for The Scottish Army. After the War, he joined Middlesbrough for £3,500 in November 1945, and played a further nine seasons for ‘Boro, scoring 4 goals in 253 appearances for them, retiring aged 38.

While at ‘Boro he met Brian Clough, and after his retirement he coached them from 1954 to 1961, when he became chief coach of Blackburn Rovers, staying at Ewood Park throughout the 1960’s. He later joined Derby County in 1969 as a coach and a key member of the team under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor (being caretaker manager for a single game when Clough resigned in 1973) and at Nottingham Forest. He was assistant manager to Clough during his 44-day reign at Leeds United in the summer of 1974, joining Nottingham Forest in January 1975. In honour of his contribution, Gordon was allowed to lead out the Nottingham Forest players at Wembley for the 1980 Football League Cup Final against Liverpool. He retired in May 1981. Clough described his trusty aide as “dignified, dedicated and charming”.

NB although unconfirmed, it is likely that he was the son of Glasgow Rangers and Scotland international Jimmy Gordon.