Alexander Wilson James (14 September 1901 – 1 June 1953) was a Scottish international footballer. He is mostly noted as a playmaking lynchpin at Arsenal with whom he won six trophies from 1930 to the 1936 season. James featured as a deep-lying creative midfielder who provided a link between defence and attack. He was famed for his high level of footballing intelligence, outstanding ball control and supreme passing.

James was described by Tom Finney as "an inspiration" and "pure magic" with his style of play eventually leading to comparisons with Dennis Bergkamp. His rheumatism meant he wore "baggy" shorts so as to conceal the long johns he put on for warmth. His baggy attire became his own trademark look displayed upon the field of play.

Early years

Born in Mossend, Lanarkshire, James was schooled at the Bellshill Academy in Bellshill where he began a long friendship with Hughie Gallacher. James started his youth footballing career with local Junior clubs, Bellshill Athletic and Ashfield. and was also involved in an incident of shipwrecking in the summer of 1923 when the team's vessel bound for the Canary Islands struck rocks in a storm.

Preston North End

James then went on to link up for £3,000 (£ today) with club Preston North End in 1925. During his time at the Second Division side, The Lilywhites twice seemed certain for promotion to only finish sixth and fourth respectively. He then fell out with the club firstly over his wages which were at the Football League's maximum of £8 a week, and also due to Preston not always releasing him for international duty with Scotland. Altogether James scored 55 goals in 157 appearances with the club. James orchestrated Arsenal to their first ever First Division Championship win in 1930–31. James remains credited with the goal in some sources (including the Scottish Football Association website profiles as of 2021).

Later years

In the summer of 1939, James went to Poland, invited by the Polish Football Association (PZPN). He spent six weeks there, working with Polish coach Józef Kałuża and members of the national team. He taught them modern tactics and led several training sessions. James also played in one or two friendly games with Warsaw's teams.

In September 1939 James signed for Drumcondra in the League of Ireland and featured in two games for them. Both matches ended in defeat for Drumcondra to the same opponents St. James's Gate F.C. in the League of Ireland Shield and Leinster Senior Cup competitions respectively. After failing to agree terms with Drumcondra James left the club later that month.

During World War II he served in the Royal Artillery. After the war he became a journalist and as well running a football pools competition.

In 1949 he was invited back to Arsenal to coach the club's youth sides. However, he died quite suddenly from cancer in 1953 at the age of 51. He was survived by his wife and three children.

James was inducted into both the Scottish Football Hall of Fame and English Football Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to the English game.

He is mentioned in the lyrics of the 1930s song "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm" which was written by R. P. Weston and Bert Lee and originally performed by Stanley Holloway.

Honours

Club

Arsenal

Individual

  • English Football Hall of Fame: 2005
  • Raith Rovers Hall of Fame: 2013