Gorman Jimmy Image 1 Blackburn Rovers 1931

Description

Liverpool born right back Jimmy Gorman began his football career with Burscough Rangers and played for Skelmersdale United, from whom he was signed by First Division club Blackburn Rovers in 1930, making his Football League debut at Blackpool in January 1931. Gorman soon established himself as a regular in Rovers’ first eleven, and in 1932-33 he missed only one match during the campaign, repeating the feat in 1935-36 as Rovers suffered relegation to the Second Division.

After 225 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, Gorman was transferred for “a handsome fee” to Sunderland in January 1937, for whom he played in 8 cup ties in their run to the 1937 FA Cup Final, where they triumphed over Preston North End at Wembley, winning 3-1. Gorman remained a regular for Sunderland until peacetime football was abandoned due to the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, by when he had scored once, his only career goal coming in an FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle in January 1939, in 103 appearances for The Wearsiders.

During the War he also took part in the 1942 Football League War Cup Final which Sunderland lost 6-3 over a two-legged match to Wolverhampton Wanderers. After the War he played twice for Hartlepools United in their two-legged FA Cup defeat to Gateshead in November 1945 before retiring.

He is possibly the son of former Liverpool centre half James Gorman, although this is unconfirmed.

NB the photograph was taken before Blackburn’s match with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on 19th September 1931, a match Rovers lost 4-1. He stands behind Blackburn team mate Les Bruton.