Jim Cruickshank

James Fergus Cruickshank (13 April 1941 – 18 November 2010) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for Heart of Midlothian through most of the 1960s and 1970s, making nearly 400 league appearances. He had brief spells with Queen's Park at the start of his career and spent his final season with Dumbarton. Cruickshank also represented Scotland and the Scottish League.

For the Bishop, see Jim Cruickshank (bishop).

Jim Cruickshank
Personal information
Full name James Fergus Cruickshank
Date of birth (1941-04-13)13 April 1941
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death 18 November 2010(2010-11-18) (aged 69)
Place of death Edinburgh, Scotland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1958–1960 Queen's Park 30 (0)
1960–1977 Heart of Midlothian 394 (0)
1977–1978 Dumbarton 3 (0)
International career
1960–1964[1] Scotland U23 3 (0)
1964[2] SFL trial v SFA 1 (0)
1964–1975 Scotland 9 (0)
1964–1970[3] Scottish League XI 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Life and career

Cruickshank appeared 30 times in league games for the Hampden Park football club Queen's Park between 1958 and 1960. He joined Hearts in 1960 and left the club in 1977 after 17 years of service. He made 528 appearances for the first team and turned out 394 times in league matches. After leaving Hearts He joined Dumbarton, where he featured in three league matches before retiring from the game.

He made nine appearances for the Scotland national football team, and was on the losing side only once. Cruickshank made three appearances during a 1967 overseas tour that the Scottish Football Association decided in October 2021 to reclassify as full internationals,[4] which increased his cap tally from six to nine.

Death

Cruickshank died on 18 November 2010, aged 69.[5] Former Hearts players Jim Jefferies and Craig Gordon paid tribute to Cruickshank, describing him as a "top goalie" and "undoubtedly one of the best" to play for Hearts.[5]

On 20 November 2010 Hearts paid tribute to Cruickshank by holding a one-minute silence before their game against Hamilton Accies. Marian Kello, the then current first choice goalkeeper for Hearts, also tied a yellow goalkeeper's jersey with Cruickshank's name and number on the back to his net. During the game, Kello saved a Hamilton penalty kick. Hearts manager Jim Jefferies said after the game that "Jim Cruickshank was a great penalty saver. How fitting is it that Marian comes out with the jersey and makes a fantastic save from a penalty on the day we paid our respects to him".[6]

References
  1. Scotland U23 player Cruickshank, FitbaStats
  2. Ronnie McDevitt (2016). Scotland in the 60s: The Definitive Account of the Scottish National Football Side During the 1960s. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781785312458.
  3. "Jim Cruickshank". Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  4. "Former Scotland players to be recognised with international caps including Sir Alex Ferguson". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  5. "Gordon joins Cruickshank tributes". Yahoo Sports. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  6. Collin, Iain. "Hearts 2 – 0 Hamilton: Marian Kello and resilient Hearts pay fitting tribute to Cruickshank". The Scotsman. Sport. UK. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
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