Jim Patterson (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Patterson | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Luncarty | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1949–1963 | Queen of the South | 361 | (200) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
|||
James "Jim" Patterson (c.1928 – 16 December 2012) was a professional footballer and all-time record goalscorer, with 251 goals for Scottish League club Queen of the South.
Patterson was playing for Luncarty in his native Perthshire, with his performances catching the attentions of onlooking scouts. One of these was from Queens, who, rather than move for the big forward, were waiting for his demob from the army. This nearly cost the Dumfries club dear. Patterson was invited to spend a weekend with Manchester City for a trial and a look around. An ex-Queens player, Jackie Oakes, was at City at the time and made arrangements for Patterson's accommodation in anticipation of his extended stay. However Patterson had a change of heart and returned to Scotland. This was when Queens made their move.
Patterson was signed by Queens manager Jimmy McKinnell, Jr. in 1949. At the time, Queens had been in the top division of Scottish football since 1933, a club that already had McKinnell as manager and Roy Henderson, Dougie Sharpe and Billy Houliston at Palmerston Park as players. Jimmy Binning joined in 1951 and goal scoring outside right Bobby Black in 1952. All would represent Scotland at some level except Henderson despite being selected six times as reserve goalkeeper for Scotland.
Patterson made his Queens debut against Dundee at Palmerston on 12 November 1949. Although Queens were relegated in 1950 this was also the only season in the 20th century when the club would reach the Scottish Cup semi finals. Queens were promoted straight back to the top flight as Scottish B Division champions in 1950–51. The success of that season was enhanced by a run to the semi final of the Scottish League Cup. The early and mid-1950s saw the club's most successful spell to date, achieving consistent mid table finishes in the Scottish A Division, as the top flight was then called. This peaked with a sixth-place finish in 1956, a finish surpassed only once in the club's history. In one game against reigning champions Hibs in 1951–52, Patterson outshone their Famous Five forward line by hitting four goals in Queens' 5–2 win.
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