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FullName: James Blessington
aka: Jimmy Blessington
Born: 28 Feb 1874
Birthplace: Linlithgow
Died: 18 April 1939
Signed: 1892
Left: 1898
International: Scotland / Scottish League
International Caps: 4 / 7

Biog

Born in Linlithgow, James (Jimmy) Blessington was one of Celtic's earliest heroes. The son of a quarryman Jimmy signed for Celtic in 1892 from Leith Athletic and scored 9 goals in his debut season as the Bhoys claimed their first league Championship and were runners-up in the Scottish Cup.

A right sided forward who had an eventful career, he first came to prominence with the Celts after starting his playing days in Leith with Leith Hibernians, Hibernian and Leith Athletic. His signing with the Bhoys was controversial and was investigated by the SFA, who exonerated Celtic but suspended the player for a month. With strenuous efforts being made to secure a new home for Hibernians their Committee is said to have suffered a blow when James Blessington signed for Celtic as he was a star player. Hibs were poorly run back then and a number of players departed from Hibs out of concern or avoided going to the club despite their early promise and success. The game was evolving but Hibs' management weren't.

Over the next six years he won three Scottish League championships and also appeared in two Scottish Cup finals. In 1898 he went south to Preston North End, but only played a season before starting a rapid series of moves to Derby County, Bristol City, Luton Town (all inside a year) and then to Leicester Fosse in May 1903. Over the next five years he made 100 league appearances for Leicester, becoming the team manager for the last two years.

He was prevented from taking up a coaching position in Germany by the outbreak of the First World War. He joined the Merchant Navy on the Atlantic route and went to Celtic Park whenever he docked in Glasgow.

After the war he continued his trade as an electrician before running a hotel in Guernsey Latterly he became a publican in Newton Abbot, but also had a spell around 1913 as coach of the Belfast Celtic team. He died in Newton Abbott in 1939.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1892-93, 1893-94, 1895-96,
• (need to check as web biogs say 3 titles but he was here till 1898 and we won the league in 1897-98 also)
  

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