Profile

Although Scotsman Jimmy McDougall played as a forward in the early part of his playing career in Scotland and also for a short time with Liverpool, it was as a half-back that he made his reputation.

He was a reliable and uncomplicated defender, a player of great calmness and assurance, who became a fixture in the Liverpool side for a decade from 1928 until 1938, a period when he averaged over 35 games a season in league and cup. It was a great shame that such loyal service to one club coincided with one of the leanest periods in Liverpool's history.

Jimmy arrived on Merseyside five years after the club's 4th League championship success, a trophy which would not return to Anfield until the first full season of league soccer after the end of the Second World War. The furthest they got in the FA Cup during his 10-year stay was the quarter-final in 1932, when Chelsea triumphed 2-0 at Anfield; and the highest league position was 5th in his first season with Liverpool, 1928-29. Jimmy had the honour of being made captain of his country, one of a select band of men to have received that honour while a Liverpool player.

He stayed in the Merseyside area once he had made his farewell appearance for the club, at Charlton on 15th January 1938, and played for a while for South Liverpool before hanging up his boots for good. Jimmy scored 12 times for Liverpool in First Division matches but 8 of those came when he was playing as an inside-forward and before he was moved back into the defence. Perhaps not surprisingly after 8 goals in 25 league games, he only managed another four in his next 313!

Other Clubs:
Port Glasgow Athletic, Partick Thistle, South Liverpool (amateur)