James Moles
James Moles (1884 – 7 November 1915) was an English professional football left half who played in the Football League for Birmingham.[1][3] His style of play was described as "aggressive".[4]
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 | |||
Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | (0) | |
–1909 | Leyton | ||
1909–1911 | Birmingham | 33 | (0) |
Leyton | |||
Edmonton | |||
Rotherham Town | |||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Career
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
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
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
- Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 207. ISBN 190589161X.
- "Casualty Details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
- "READ | Tributes planned for Saturday's fixture". www.themillers.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
- Lockley, Mike (29 March 2018). "The brave Midland football stars who fought and died in WWI". birminghammail. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
- Matthews, p. 156.
- "James Moles | Service Record | Football and the First World War". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- Matthews, p. 264-267.