Welford, Jim

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Fullname: James William Welford
aka: Jimmy Welford, James Welford, Jim Welford, John Welford
Born: 27 March 1869
Died: 17 January 1945
Birthplace: Barnard Castle, County Durham, England
Signed: 3 May 1897 (from Aston Villa)
Left: 24 Feb 1900 (to Distillery)
Position: Right-back/Defence
Debut:
Celtic 1-4 Rangers, Charity Cup (neutral venue), 11 May 1897
Internationals
: none

BiogWelford, Jim - Pic

(note: Jim Welford’s real name is James Welford but for some reason (likely by error) he has also been referred to as John Welford in some places)

A charging right-back Englishman Jim Welford was a surprise capture by Celtic in May 1897 from Aston Villa (where he had won the FA Cup in 1895). Tom Maley had gone to Birmingham to bring back Johnny Campbell but returned to Celtic not only with him but also with Jack Reynolds & Jim Welford.

Jim Welford made his debut in a 4-1 Charity Cup final defeat to Rangers on May 11th 1897. After that disappointing start, he began to produce some steady performances. He also caught the eye with his tendency to quarrel with opponents, referees and even team-mates (especially Dan Doyle)! So words like dogged, rugged and determined were quite common in reference to him.

He was a mainstay in the side for the league season a Celtic on the league title in 1897-98, with Celtic going undefeated in the whole league campaign and conceding just 13 goals, a great sign of the value of Jim Welford as part of the defence.

Jim Welford made history when after Celtic’s 2-0 Scottish Cup final defeat of Rangers in April 1899 he became the first Englishman to hold both English and Scottish Cup winners medals. Quite a feat and a great historic mark for the man.

In truth, he arrived at Celtic likely past his best as he was then at an advanced age for the game. He was possibly seen as a stop-gap player able to provide stability and experience, but Celtic only lost three league games in all the matches he played in so he more then proved his worth.

His final spell with Celtic was disappointing after such a great run with the first team, with three draws & a defeat in his final four league games for Celtic. He deserved to sign off with Celtic with a better final result. He never managed to score for Celtic either which was disappointing to see but in some ways is a sure sign of a staunch defender.

Jim Welford, who had played first class cricket for Durham and Warwickshire (possibly only Celtic man to have done so), departed Celtic in February 1900 for Irish side Distillery after 44 appearances. He later played a couple of seasons for Hamilton Accies, helping them to the Scottish Division Two title in 1903-04.

He stayed on in Scotland, and was frequently seen at Celtic Park for games, something we can be proud of. He helped Celtic to a league title & Scottish Cup which is something to take pride in.

He passed away in 1945 in Paisley, and sadly in the Wisden book (an annual cricketing almanac) they didn’t reference Celtic in their obituary of him but did mention his spell at Aston Villa. Something that should be rectified.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1897-1900 38 6 44
Goals 0 0 0

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Cup

Scottish League

Pictures

Links

Articles

From ‘An Alphabet of the Celts’ by McBride et al

Welford, Jim - Pic

His death notice in The Herald on Jan 19 1945 ( http://goo.gl/jBuUh )

Welford, Jim - Pic


Wisden Obituary

https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/229837.html

WELFORD, JAMES W., who died in Glasgow on January 17, aged nearly 76, was best know as a full back in partnership with Robert Chatt when Aston Villa won the F.A. Cup in 1895, but he was a good cricketer. A native of Barnard Castle he played for Durham County from 1891, heading the batting averages in 1895, and making 153 against Staffordshire. Then he became qualified for Warwickshire and in 1896 averaged 23 for eleven matches, scoring his best innings, 118, at Leicester in May, the home county winning, after a great struggle, by one wicket. That was the extent of his first-class cricket, and he did not appear again for Durham.

From Wisden Cricketer’s Almanac 1945

WELFORD, JAMES W., who died in Glasgow on January 17, aged nearly 76, was best know as a full back in partnership with Robert Chatt when Aston Villa won the F.A. Cup in 1895, but he was a good cricketer. A native of Barnard Castle he played for Durham County from 1891, heading the batting averages in 1895, and making 153 against Staffordshire. Then he became qualified for Warwickshire and in 1896 averaged 23 for eleven matches, scoring his best innings, 118, at Leicester in May, the home county winning, after a great struggle, by one wicket. That was the extent of his first-class cricket, and he did not appear again for Durham.