James Henry Dimmock (5 December 1900 – 23 December 1972) was a footballer who scored the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1921 FA Cup Final. He played as an outside left and became the fans' favourite with his mazy runs and trickery, and also won three caps for England.

Jimmy Dimmock
Dimmock in 1921
Personal information
Full name James Henry Dimmock
Date of birth (1900-12-05)5 December 1900
Place of birth Edmonton, England
Date of death 23 December 1972(1972-12-23) (aged 72)
Place of death Edmonton, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Outside left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1919–1930 Tottenham Hotspur 400 (100)
1931–1932 Thames 37 (12)
1932–1934 Clapton Orient 18 (3)
1934–1936 Ashford Town (Kent)
International career
1921–1926 England 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early years

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Dimmock was born in Edmonton on 5 December 1900 where he attended Montague Rd School. He played junior football for Park Avenue and Gothic Works before signing as an amateur for Tottenham Hotspur in 1916. During the First World War, he played for Clapton Orient and Edmonton Ramblers. Dimmock served as a gunner in the First World War with the Royal Field Artillery.[2]

Professional career

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Dimmock turned professional with Tottenham Hotspur in May 1919, and his first match was at Lincoln City on 4 October.

He holds a unique place in the history of Tottenham Hotspur by being the only player in the club's history to play 400 league games and score 100 league goals. He also remains (at 20 years 139 days) the youngest Tottenham player to appear in an FA Cup Final.

Undoubtedly his most memorable season was the 1920–21 season. Dimmock made his international debut against Scotland on 9 April 1921 at the age of 20 years and 125 days to become the youngest Spurs player (at that time) to play for England,[3] and a fortnight later he appeared for Spurs in the FA Cup Final against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge. Despite sustaining an injury early in the game, he scored the only goal of the game to secure a second FA Cup triumph for Tottenham. Surprisingly, he had to wait five years to gain his 2 further international caps, against Wales and Belgium in 1926.[4]

When he was released by Spurs in 1931 he had scored 100 goals in 400 league games, and 12 in 38 FA Cup matches.

He subsequently played one season for Thames Association FC and two seasons for Clapton Orient.

Later years

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In 1934, he played for Ashford Town (Kent)[5] in the Kent League. In the same year he had a trial with Tunbridge Wells Rangers[2] before retiring from the game in 1936.

He worked for a time in the road haulage industry but suffered from poor health later in life, eventually losing both legs. He died on 23 December 1972 at the North Middlesex Hospital, Edmonton, London.

Career statistics

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International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 1921 1 0
1926 2 0
Total 3 0

Honours

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Tottenham Hotspur

References

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  1. ^ The Vagrant (21 August 1922). "Few big transfers in the First Division of the Football League. Tottenham Hotspur". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 5.
  2. ^ a b "Jimmy Dimmock". England Football Online. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  3. ^ Jimmy's England debut Retrieved 17 November 2007
  4. ^ "Jimmy Dimmock". Englandstats.com. Retrieved 20 May 2009.  
  5. ^ "Here and There". Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald. 10 March 1934.
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