James McKee

James McKee

Born in Moira, County Down in 1871, James moved with his family to Scotland at an early age and played his early football at Dykehead and Hearts before a season at Darwen and then back to East Stirlingshire where he was awarded a solitary cap, turning out for Scotland against Wales in 1898 (even though he was Irish), scoring twice in the 5-2 win.

Joining top-flight Bolton in 1900, James was a regular in the side for three seasons as a reasonably prolific centre-forward but was released when the Trotters were relegated in 1903.

Coming to Luton in the summer of 1903, he was virtually ever present in 1903-4 and finished top scorer with only eight goals. Released at the end of the campaign, James went on to New Brompton before retiring from the professional game and resumed a career as a miner in Harthill, Scotland where he spent the rest of his life. He passed away in May 1949.

Known by the surname McKie in various publications.