Punch McEwen

Punch Jimmy McEwen Date of Birth: Oct 16, 1872

Born in Bootle in 1872, Jimmy first came to notice with the local side from whom he joined Everton in 1893.

With the Town about to embark on their new venture in the Southern League in 1894 the signing of McEwen was seen as a strong statement of intent. Forming a superb full-back partnership with John McCartney, both players being small, wide, strong and fast, he became a fixture in the side for four seasons before financial constraints led to him leaving, along with many others, in 1898.

Joining Glossop, Jimmy enjoyed a good run in the side but his subsequent transfer to Bury was the pinnacle as he picked up an FA Cup winners medal with the Shakers in his time there.

Again it was seen as a great coup to bring him back to Luton in 1903 (his Lutonian wife was looking to move back home) and, although a little slower he controlled the defence for a further two season before departing to Norwich where, after hanging up his boots, he commenced a second career in management and coaching, most notably at Arsenal where he spent twenty years on the training staff.

Jimmy passed away in Barnes in 1942.