James Moles (1884 – 7 November 1915) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Birmingham as a left half.[1][3] His style of play was described as "aggressive".[4]

James Moles
Personal information
Full name James Moles[1]
Date of birth 1884
Place of birth Tottenham, England[2]
Date of death 7 November 1915 (aged 30–31)[2]
Place of death Lillers, France
Position(s) Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Asplin Rovers
1900–1902 Tottenham Hotspur 4 (0)
0000–1909 Leyton
1909–1911 Birmingham 33 (0)
Leyton
Edmonton
Rotherham Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Moles played for Southern League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton, before joining Second Division club Birmingham in 1909, as cover for Frank Buckley.[5] He made his debut in a 2–2 home draw with Glossop on 13 September 1909, replacing Buckley as the team's centre half.[6] In the second half of the 1909–10 season, he played regularly in his preferred position of left half.[6] Moles' aggressive style cost him his place and he returned to London local football in 1911.[5]

Personal life

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Moles gave a false age when he attested in the Militia in February 1900 and was discharged after 48 days.[7] Moles served as a lance corporal in the Middlesex Regiment during the First World War and died of wounds at No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station, Lillers on 7 November 1915.[7] He was buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery.[2]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham 1909–10[8] Second Division 27 0 0 0 27 0
1910–11[8] 6 0 0 0 6 0
Career total 3 0 0 0 33 0

References

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  1. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 207. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  2. ^ a b c "Casualty Details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Tributes planned for Saturday's fixture". www.themillers.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  4. ^ Lockley, Mike (29 March 2018). "The brave Midland football stars who fought and died in WWI". birminghammail. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  6. ^ a b Matthews, p. 156.
  7. ^ a b "James Moles | Service Record". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b Matthews, p. 264-267.