Dailey, Jimmy

Birth Date

8th September 1927

Birthplace

Glenboig, Lanarkshire

Occupation

Forward

Biographical Text

Jimmy Dailey, a club record signing, was Exeter City's top-scorer in 1952/53. Joining the the club from Birmingham City after a bright start to his career at Sheffield Wednesday, he left St James' Park to sign for Workington before later playing for Rochdale and Weymouth where he settled after retiring from football. 

Playing as an amateur with Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Second World War, he returned home to the West of Scotland after the cessation of hostilities and signed for Third Lanark before moving to Sheffield Wednesday. Netting 24 goals in 37 starts for the Owls - including five against Barnsley in 1947/48 - he moved to Birmingham City for £10,000 in February 1949. Finishing as top-scorer in 1949/50 Jimmy soon lost his first-team place at St Andrew's and subsequently signed for Exeter City in August 1952 for a club record £5,000. 

Making his debut against Queens Park Rangers on 23 August 1952, he notched a dozen goals from 36 starts during his first campaign to finish as the Grecians' top-scorer. A particular highlight during an ordinary season for the club was his hat-trick in the 6-1 victory over Walsall at the start of September.  

Apparently unsettled, Jimmy scored once in nine appearances during the next term before joining Workington in December 1953. Hitting 81 goals in 176 league starts he became one of the West Cumberland club's most fondly-remembered players of all time prior to eventually leaving for Rochdale in October 1957. 

Finishing his professional career at Spotland in 1959, he signed for Weymouth - then managed by former Grecian Arthur Coles - and was to follow Coles to Bath City before returning to Dorset with Poole Town. Alongside managing Bridport, Portland United and Dorchester Town, Jimmy worked for Wellworthy Engineering for many years before he bought Arthur Coles' sports shop in Weymouth. After retiring to Spain he returned to Britain due to ill health and died in north Dorset in January 2002.

Appearances

Exeter City league games only

45

Goals

13

Files

Comments

Mike Blackstone

Dailly signed for Bath City in July 1961, but quickly moved on to Poole Town after playing just 13 games.

Allowed tags: <p>, <a>, <em>, <strong>, <ul>, <ol>, <li>