Jimmy Rolland was a Scottish football forward who spent four seasons in the American Soccer League. He was the 1978 league leading scorer and MVP.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 May 1945 passed away in April 2023 | ||
| Place of birth | Kirkcaldy, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1970–1974 | Buxton | 196 | (74) |
| 1974–1976 | Northwich Victoria | 81 | (60) |
| 1976–1978 | Los Angeles Skyhawks | 65 | (41) |
| 1980 | Phoenix Fire | 0 | (0) |
| 1980 | California Sunshine | 18 | (8) |
| 1980–1981 | San Francisco Fog (indoor) | 12 | (4) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
In 1974, he signed for Northwich Victoria from Buxton. In his first season for Northwich, he scored 45 goals in 56 games; only two other Northwich players have better records in the club's history. However the lure of the growing football scene in the USA saw him sign for the Los Angeles Skyhawks in the American Soccer League. Despite being on the LA Skyhawks' books, he returned to Northwich in 1976, scoring a vital goal in the club's best modern-time FA Cup run.[1]
In the same season, his team, LA Skyhawks won the league championship and Rolland was the team and league's second leading scorer.[2] In 1978, he led the league with 17 goals in 24 games, leading to his selection as league MVP.[3]
In 1980 he was contracted to play with ASL expansion team the Phoenix Fire, but the team folded in pre-season.[4]
In 1980, he played for the California Sunshine.[5]
He then played for the San Francisco Fog during the 1980-1981 Major Indoor Soccer League season.[6]
References
edit- ^ Northwich Victoria F.C.- Club Info - Historical Info - Famous Players
- ^ "The Year in American Soccer - 1977". Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
- ^ "The Year in American Soccer - 1978". Archived from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
- ^ "1980 Phoenix Fire • Fun While It Lasted". 3 May 2011.
- ^ "The Year in American Soccer - 1980". Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
- ^ John Smillie NASL/MISL page: Scroll to bottom of page for San Francisco Fog team photo