James Yardley (16 April 1903 – 1959) was a Scottish professional footballer, best known as a player for Luton Town.

Jimmy Yardley
Personal information
Full name James Yardley
Date of birth 16 April 1903
Place of birth Wishaw, Scotland
Date of death 1959 (aged 55–56)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Overton Rangers
Wishaw
Bellhaven Oak
1924–1926 Clapton Orient 29 (3)
1926–1932 Luton Town 102 (77)
1932–1933 Charlton Athletic 51 (26)
1933–1935 Millwall 76 (24)
1936–1938 Third Lanark 34 (14)
1938–1939 Ayr United 38 (24)
1939–1940 Morton 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Yardley signed for Luton Town from Clapton Orient during the 1926–27 season, but failed to score before the season ended. During 1927–28, his first full season with the club, Yardley scored 23 league goals. He continued his good form the next season, scoring 19. He continued his good form until 1932, when he was surprisingly sold to Charlton Athletic.[1]

In 1936, now well into his 30s, he returned to Scotland where he scored 38 top flight Scottish Football League goals over three seasons with Third Lanark and Ayr United, and was selected for the Glasgow FA's annual challenge match against Sheffield in November 1936. He moved on to Morton, but the outbreak of World War II a short time later brought his career to an end.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Hayes, Dean P. (2002). Completely Top Hatters!. The Book Castle. p. 196. ISBN 1-903747-27-9.
  2. ^ John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)