Jimmy Hampson
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Hampson was an English professional footballer. He spent eleven seasons at Blackpool
, where he remains record goalscorer with 252 goals in 373 games, and is still regarded as one of the best centre forwards
to play for the club.
, Lancashire
, Hampson began his career with Walkden Park. In 1925 he joined Football League Third Division
, Nelson
, and in his first season, 1925–26, he scored 13 goals in 20 league games. During his first season at Nelson, Hampson scored hat-tricks in three consecutive games. The following season, 1926–27, he scored 23 goals in 35 games.
In October 1927, he joined Blackpool for a fee of £1,000, scoring on his debut in a 3–1 defeat at Notts County
on 15 October. He went on to score 31 goals in the remaining 32 games of the 1927–28 season, including two in his second game for the club, against Manchester City
. He missed just one game in his first season for the club, and his goals helped Blackpool stave off relegation, finishing the season 19th in the Second Division
.
The following season, 1928–29, he scored 40 goals to become the Second Division's top scorer. He scored five goals in the first four games that season, prompting other clubs to take an interest in signing him. In September, Blackpool denied that they had received an offer from Arsenal
. After a 2–0 defeat to Stoke City
on 13 October 1928, Blackpool fans chaired him off the pitch and he was described as being the "darling of Blackpool". On 10 November, he scored a then club-record five goals in a 7–0 victory over Reading
. The record has since been equalled by Jimmy McIntosh
. Blackpool finished that season in eighth place.
In July 1929, Millwall
tried unsuccessfully to sign him. The following December, Derby County
also tried to sign him but were also turned down.
In 1929–30, Blackpool won the Second Division championship and were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history. Hampson was the top goalscorer in England with 46 strikes in 44 league and cup games. He played one game, against local rivals
Preston North End
, at inside-right, but still scored one goal as Blackpool won 5–1.
At the end of their debut season in the First Division
(1930–31), Blackpool drew their final game against Manchester City
to escape relegation back to the Second Division. Although Blackpool conceded 125 goals, Hampson still managed to score 31 goals in 41 games. The following season, 1931-32, Blackpool again struggled against relegation, with Hampson scoring 23 league goals in 42 games as the club finished one place above the relegation places. Again the club had to deny transfer rumours. At the Supporters Club's annual dinner, held at the resort's Winter Gardens
on 10 November 1931, the club stated that they had "no intention of parting with Hampson".
The following season, 1932–33, Blackpool were relegated, finishing bottom of the league with Hampson scoring 18 league goals in 34 games. During the season, Hampson lost his position as centre-forward to defender Phil Watson
before being moved to the right wing for the game against Sheffield United
on 22 April 1933. He was reinstated as centre-forward, however, for the final game of the season, at Newcastle United
.
During the following 1933–34 season, it was reported that he had turned down turned down the club's terms for a new contract; however, the terms were soon sorted and he signed on again for the next season. After 21 games and 13 goals, he was injured and he made just one more appearance for the club that season.
He scored a hat-trick in the opening game of the 1934–35 season against Bury
; however, following a spell in which he did not score, he was dropped and Blackpool stated that they would be prepared to transfer him. He did not play again until February 1935, and ended the season on 21 goals from 25 starts. He missed the start of the 1935-36 season with an injury, coupled with the club signing Scottish international
striker Bobby Finan
. Hampson did not play until 9 October 1935, against Charlton Athletic
, when he scored in a 1–1 draw. He was not a regular starter that season and finished on just six goals from 21 games, although he had to play at inside-left for much of them.
Hampson and Finan scored 44 goals between them in the 1936–37 season, with Hampson scoring 16 of them (Not 15 as sometimes listed) as Blackpool finished as runners-up and were once again promoted to the First Division. Hampson started the 1937–38 season scoring four goals in 19 league games.
Hampson held the record for the fastest century of goals: 101 in 97 games between 1927 and 1930.
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Hampson is in the pre-1950s.
combined with Hampson's club playing in the League's second tier. He scored five goals in just three appearances. He scored one goal on his debut against Ireland
on 20 October 1930, which England won 5–1. He then scored twice against Wales
on 22 November in a 4–0 win. His last appearance for his country came in December 1932 against Austria
when he again scored twice. He also represented the Football League
four times, scoring nine goals – including a hat-trick in a game against the Irish Football League held at Bloomfield Road
. He also played for a Football League XI against a combined Wales and Ireland XI in a game held to celebrate the jubilee of King George V
in May 1935. Hampson scored five goals in a 10-2 win for the Football League XI.
tie for Blackpool
against Birmingham City
. His final contribution was a quick throw-in, seven minutes before the end of the match, from which Blackpool scored.
On 10 January, a day after visiting his wife, Betty, who was ill in a nursing home
, Hampson went out fishing with some friends off the Fleetwood
coast. Their 40-foot yacht, Defender, collided with a trawler and Hampson was knocked overboard. He drowned, and his body was never recovered. He was 31.
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, where he remains record goalscorer with 252 goals in 373 games, and is still regarded as one of the best centre forwards
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
to play for the club.
Club career
Born in Little HultonLittle Hulton
Little Hulton is a village—effectively a suburb—within the City of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies south of Bolton, west-northwest of Salford, and west-northwest of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Hampson began his career with Walkden Park. In 1925 he joined Football League Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
, Nelson
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
, and in his first season, 1925–26, he scored 13 goals in 20 league games. During his first season at Nelson, Hampson scored hat-tricks in three consecutive games. The following season, 1926–27, he scored 23 goals in 35 games.
In October 1927, he joined Blackpool for a fee of £1,000, scoring on his debut in a 3–1 defeat at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on 15 October. He went on to score 31 goals in the remaining 32 games of the 1927–28 season, including two in his second game for the club, against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. He missed just one game in his first season for the club, and his goals helped Blackpool stave off relegation, finishing the season 19th in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
.
The following season, 1928–29, he scored 40 goals to become the Second Division's top scorer. He scored five goals in the first four games that season, prompting other clubs to take an interest in signing him. In September, Blackpool denied that they had received an offer from Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. After a 2–0 defeat to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 13 October 1928, Blackpool fans chaired him off the pitch and he was described as being the "darling of Blackpool". On 10 November, he scored a then club-record five goals in a 7–0 victory over Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. The record has since been equalled by Jimmy McIntosh
Jimmy McIntosh
James McLaughlin "Jimmy" McIntosh was a Scottish professional footballer and manager. As a player McIntosh was a fast, strong, stocky, forward.-Blackpool :...
. Blackpool finished that season in eighth place.
In July 1929, Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
tried unsuccessfully to sign him. The following December, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
also tried to sign him but were also turned down.
In 1929–30, Blackpool won the Second Division championship and were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history. Hampson was the top goalscorer in England with 46 strikes in 44 league and cup games. He played one game, against local rivals
West Lancashire derby
The West Lancashire derby is a local derby in English football, between Lancashire neighbours Blackpool F.C. and Preston North End F.C. The derby has taken place across all four tiers of the Football League, but not yet in the Premier League...
Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, at inside-right, but still scored one goal as Blackpool won 5–1.
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
(1930–31), Blackpool drew their final game against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
to escape relegation back to the Second Division. Although Blackpool conceded 125 goals, Hampson still managed to score 31 goals in 41 games. The following season, 1931-32, Blackpool again struggled against relegation, with Hampson scoring 23 league goals in 42 games as the club finished one place above the relegation places. Again the club had to deny transfer rumours. At the Supporters Club's annual dinner, held at the resort's Winter Gardens
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment complex in the town centre of Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It has twelve different venues, including a theatre, ballroom and conference facilities. Opened in 1878, it is a Grade II* listed building, incorporating various elements built between 1875 and...
on 10 November 1931, the club stated that they had "no intention of parting with Hampson".
The following season, 1932–33, Blackpool were relegated, finishing bottom of the league with Hampson scoring 18 league goals in 34 games. During the season, Hampson lost his position as centre-forward to defender Phil Watson
Phil Watson (footballer)
Philip Ross Watson was a Scottish professional footballer. He made one appearance for the Scotland national team. He played as a defender.-Hamilton Academical:...
before being moved to the right wing for the game against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 22 April 1933. He was reinstated as centre-forward, however, for the final game of the season, at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
.
During the following 1933–34 season, it was reported that he had turned down turned down the club's terms for a new contract; however, the terms were soon sorted and he signed on again for the next season. After 21 games and 13 goals, he was injured and he made just one more appearance for the club that season.
He scored a hat-trick in the opening game of the 1934–35 season against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
; however, following a spell in which he did not score, he was dropped and Blackpool stated that they would be prepared to transfer him. He did not play again until February 1935, and ended the season on 21 goals from 25 starts. He missed the start of the 1935-36 season with an injury, coupled with the club signing Scottish international
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
striker Bobby Finan
Bobby Finan
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Finan was a Scottish professional football player. He played as a forward.-Club career:...
. Hampson did not play until 9 October 1935, against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, when he scored in a 1–1 draw. He was not a regular starter that season and finished on just six goals from 21 games, although he had to play at inside-left for much of them.
Hampson and Finan scored 44 goals between them in the 1936–37 season, with Hampson scoring 16 of them (Not 15 as sometimes listed) as Blackpool finished as runners-up and were once again promoted to the First Division. Hampson started the 1937–38 season scoring four goals in 19 league games.
Hampson held the record for the fastest century of goals: 101 in 97 games between 1927 and 1930.
Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame
Hampson was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy ArmfieldJimmy Armfield
James Christopher "Jimmy" Armfield, CBE, DL is an English former professional football player and manager who currently works as a football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. He played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back...
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Hampson is in the pre-1950s.
International career
Hampson's international career was brief, due to the presence of Dixie DeanDixie Dean
William Ralph Dean , better known as Dixie Dean, was an English football player. Dean originally started his career with Birkenhead based Tranmere Rovers before moving on to Everton, the club he had supported as a child, where he became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in English football...
combined with Hampson's club playing in the League's second tier. He scored five goals in just three appearances. He scored one goal on his debut against Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
on 20 October 1930, which England won 5–1. He then scored twice against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 22 November in a 4–0 win. His last appearance for his country came in December 1932 against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
when he again scored twice. He also represented the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
four times, scoring nine goals – including a hat-trick in a game against the Irish Football League held at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
. He also played for a Football League XI against a combined Wales and Ireland XI in a game held to celebrate the jubilee of King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in May 1935. Hampson scored five goals in a 10-2 win for the Football League XI.
Death
On 8 January 1938, Hampson played his last-ever match, an FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie for Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. His final contribution was a quick throw-in, seven minutes before the end of the match, from which Blackpool scored.
On 10 January, a day after visiting his wife, Betty, who was ill in a nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
, Hampson went out fishing with some friends off the Fleetwood
Fleetwood
Fleetwood is a town within the Wyre district of Lancashire, England, lying at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 26,840 people at the 2001 Census. It forms part of the Greater Blackpool conurbation. The town was the first planned community of the Victorian era...
coast. Their 40-foot yacht, Defender, collided with a trawler and Hampson was knocked overboard. He drowned, and his body was never recovered. He was 31.
Honours
Blackpool- Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship: 1929–30