James McKie (footballer, born 1873)
James McKie was a Scottish footballer who played as a full-back for Southampton St. Mary's in 1896–97, when they won the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James McKie (born John McCoy) | ||
| Date of birth | 3 April 1873 | ||
| Place of birth | Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Full-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 15th Company Royal Artillery | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 18??–1896 | Freemantle | ||
| 1896–1897 | Southampton St. Mary's | 6 | (0) |
| 1897–1899 | Chatham | ||
| 1899–19?? | Dartford | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
McKie was born in Dalry, a small town in Ayrshire, Scotland and had served in the 15th Company Royal Artillery. He had been a member of the Freemantle football team before being signed by Southampton St. Mary's in the summer of 1896.[1]
He made his debut for the "Saints" at the County Ground in the opening match of the 1896–97 season, a 4–1 victory over Chatham. He played at left-back with his fellow Scotsmen Donald McKay at right-back and William McMillan at right-half. McKay retained his place for a further two games, before being replaced by Samuel Meston, who had moved back to accommodate Willie Naughton on the right wing.[2] McKie had a further run of three matches, when he took over from McKay in December and January. Described as "tough and rugged",[1] McKie also played in six of the seven FA Cup matches in which the "Saints" reached the Second round proper for the first time, going out to Newton Heath after a replay.[2]
The Saints won the first nine games of the season and finished unbeaten in the league after twenty matches, thus claiming the Southern League title for the first time.[2]
In the summer of 1897, McKie moved to Kent with spells for fellow Southern League teams Chatham and Dartford.[1]