Jim Herriot

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James "Jim" Herriot (born 20 December 1939 in Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire) is a former Scottish international footballer , who played as a goalkeeper for clubs in both Scotland and England.

[edit] Career

Herriot joined Dunfermline Athletic from junior side Douglasdale in 1958, becoming the Pars established number 1 when Eddie Connachan left for Middlesbrough in 1963. Herriot's performances also drew interest from English scouts and, having helped the side to the 1965 Scottish Cup final, he was transferred to Birmingham City for £18,000.

Herriot was a fixture in the City side during the next four years and would eventually gain international recognition. He made his Scotland debut in October 1968, during a 1-0 defeat of Denmark in Copenhagen, and played a further 7 times for the national side. His last cap came just a year after his first, in a 3-2 defeat by West Germany in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Hamburg.

By 1970 Herriot had fallen from favour at St Andrews and, following a loan spell with Mansfield Town, he left for South African side Durban City. He returned to Britain in 1971, joining Eddie Turnbull's developing Hibernian side. With Hibs he would win his first career honour, the 1972-73 League Cup, as well as the fledgling Drybrough Cup on two occasions.

He left the Edinburgh side to join St Mirren in 1973, before joining their Renfrewshire rivals Greenock Morton two years later. He briefly returned to Dunfermline Athletic on loan in early 1976, and retired from the game in 1977.

[edit] Literary alter-ego

Herriot is probably best-known today for giving his name to the writer James Herriot, a Yorkshire vet whose real name was Alf Wight. Wight needed a pen-name to comply with professional rules banning advertising and chose Jim Herriot's name after seeing him play exceptionally well for Birmingham City in a televised match against Manchester United.

[edit] External links

• International appearances at official Scottish FA website.
• Profile at official Dunfermline Athletic website.

Persondata
NAME	Herriot, Jim
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Scottish footballer
DATE OF BIRTH	December 20, 1939
PLACE OF BIRTH	Chapelhall, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH