Jimmy Sanders (footballer)
James Sanders (5 July 1920 – 11 August 2003) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper, most notably for West Bromwich Albion.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Sanders | ||
| Date of birth | 5 July 1920 | ||
| Place of birth | Hackney, London, England | ||
| Date of death | 11 August 2003 (aged 83) | ||
| Place of death | Tamworth, Staffordshire, England | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Charlton Athletic | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1943–1944 | Cray Wanderers | ? | (?) |
| 1944–1945 | Charlton Athletic | ? | (?) |
| 1945–1958 | West Bromwich Albion | 391 | (0) |
| 1958–19?? | Kettering Town | ? | (?) |
| Coventry City | 10 | (0) | |
| 19??–1960 | Hinckley Athletic | ? | (?) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Biography
Sanders joined Charlton Athletic from Cray Wanderers towards the end of the Second World War but found his progress hampered by both the outbreak of the war and the presence of Addicks legend Sam Bartram. His war service was spent with the Royal Air Force, for whom he was a gunner pilot before being invalided out. Deprived of playing time due to the presence of Bartram, he appeared as a guest player for Chelsea, Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham United before guesting for Albion, earning himself a £2,250 move to the Hawthorns. Sanders established himself as number one at the club until 1952 when he lost out to Norman Heath, although he continued to feature intermittently until his departure in 1958. He followed this with brief spells at Kettering Town, Coventry City and Hinckley Athletic before retiring in 1960. Following his retirement he left football to pursue a career in the pub trade, although he was distinguished by usually wearing his 1954 FA Cup Final winners medal around his neck. Full name is James Albert Sanders. His first wife was Dorothy who he had his first child with, a daughter, Anne Patricia. He was a father to 5 children. His eldest daughter Anne born in 1946 who he had with Dorothy and others by Cynthia Irene Sanders (died 1996). Terence James Sanders born 1957, Patrice Louise Sanders born 1959, Susan Elaine Sanders born 1961 and Jennifer Ann Sanders born 1964.
References
- Matthews, Tony (2007). West Bromwich Albion: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-1-85983-565-4.