John James (footballer, born 1948)

John James

Brian Wharburton, Paul Bannister, James, Stanley Matthews, John Bostock and Stan Turner (left to right)
Personal information
Full name	John Brian James
Date of birth	(1948-10-24) 24 October 1948 (age 68)
Place of birth	Stone, Staffordshire, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Striker
Youth career
1964–1966	Port Vale
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1966–1973	Port Vale	210	(39)
1973–1975	Chester	98	(40)
1975–1978	Tranmere Rovers	73	(24)
1976	→ Chicago Sting (loan)	9	(4)
	Stafford Rangers
Total		390+	(107+)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

John Brian James (born 24 October 1948) is an English former footballer who played as a striker. He played in The Football League for Port Vale, Chester and Tranmere Rovers, making 381 appearances in the process, and also played in the North American Soccer League for the Chicago Sting. He won promotions out of the Fourth Division with Port Vale, Chester and Tranmere.

James began his career in his native Staffordshire with Port Vale, turning professional in April 1966. He became a first team regular from September 1967 and went on to make more than 200 league appearances for Vale, including 43 in the club's promotion season from Division Four in 1969–70. His goals were crucial to the club, top scorer in both 1969–70 and 1970–71 with 17 and 15 goals respectively. He missed much of the 1971–72 campaign due to a cartilage injury requiring two separate operations. After returning to the squad in February 1972 he was much less effective and lost his first team spot.

In February 1973, James moved to Chester for £5,000, playing his first game alongside fellow home debutant Reg Matthewson in a 5–0 win over Darlington, that saw James amongst the scorers. The following season saw James net 21 league goals, the highest tally by a Chester player since Gary Talbot in 1968–69, but his most memorable campaign would follow in 1974–75.