Mathieson Jimmy Image 2 Brentford 1937

Description

Methil, Fife born goalkeeper Jimmy Mathieson began his football career with junior clubs Dubbleside Hearts and Colinsburgh United before spending 1922-23 on the books at Partick Thistle, without making a first team appearance. He joined Raith Rovers in 1923 where he played almost half their matches in 1923-24 and almost all their games in the following two seasons, making 99 appearances before being signed by Second Division club Middlesbrough in June 1926. He made his Football League debut that August at Chelsea and was an ever-present in the ‘Boro team which was promoted to the First Division as Second Division champions in the 1926-27 season, as he was the following season as Middlesbrough were immediately relegated, He missed two matches as they again won the Second Division Championship in 1929 and a single match as they re-established themselves in the top flight, and by the time he lost his regular place to Fred Gibson in November 1932 he had played 264 matches for Middlesbrough, remaining at the club a further year and a half without playing again for the first eleven.

Mathieson dropped to the Second Division to sign for Brentford during the 1934  close season. He was one of a number of former Middlesbrough players recruited by Bees manager Harry Curtis in the early 1930’s and he linked up with former teammates Jack Holliday, Billy Scott, Herbert Watson and Ernie Muttitt at Griffin Park. Mathieson went straight into the team and was an ever-present during the 1934-35 season, helping Brentford to the Second Division Championship and promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s history. He missed just one match during 1935-36 as The Bees finished in their highest-ever League placing of fifth in the First Division. Mathieson eventually lost his place in goal to another Scot, Joe Crozier, in September 1937 and departed the club at the end of the campaign after 130 matches for The Bees in four seasons, joining Queen of The South in 1938, He made 41 appearances for Queens before the outbreak of the Second World War ended his career in September 1939.

NB the photograph shows Mathieson punching clear in a match against Chelsea at Griffin Park on 17th April 1937.