Jim Olney

James Fred Olney (1 August 1914 – 14 September 1944) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Birmingham and Swindon Town.[1][2]

Jim Olney
Personal information
Full name James Fred Olney
Date of birth (1914-08-01)1 August 1914
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Date of death 14 September 1944(1944-09-14) (aged 30)
Place of death Belgium
Position(s) Centre half / Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Tyseley Rangers
Newbridge Albion
1935–1936 Redditch
1936–1938 Birmingham 3 (0)
1938–1944 Swindon Town 13 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Olney was born in Greet, Birmingham. He played local football before joining First Division club Birmingham in May 1936.[3] He made his debut in the last game of the 1935–36 season in a 3–1 home defeat against West Bromwich Albion.[4] He played two more games during the following season, standing in for Tom Fillingham at centre half,[5] but his playing style was considered too similar to that of Fillingham, and in December 1938 he moved to Third Division South club Swindon Town.[3] He played ten games at left half in what remained of the 1938–39 season,[6] and the first three of the next season, abandoned because of the Second World War.[7]

Olney was killed while serving as a Lance-Serjeant in the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards on 14 September 1944, at the age of 30. He is buried in Geel War Cemetery[8] and commemorated at the County Ground, Swindon.[9]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. "James Olney". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  3. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  4. Matthews, p. 178.
  5. Matthews, p. 179.
  6. "James Olney Playing record 1938–1939". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  7. "James Olney Playing record 1939–1940". Swindon-Town-FC. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  8. "Casualty details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  9. "Having exposed the myth..." Swindon-Town-FC. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008.
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