Bury-born Jim Makin joined Exeter City from the army in 1919 and appeared in the club’s final season in the Southern League ahead of remaining to become a regular during City’s debut season in the Football League in 1920/21. A member of the first Grecians’ side to take the field in the Football League, against Brentford in August 1920, he later appeared for Accrington Stanley.

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Jim had been on the books of Heywood United, Accrington Stanley and Stockport County.

After he left the Army in the summer of 1919 he signed for Exeter City and made his debut against Southampton on the opening day of the season. He ended the season as City’s second top-scorer with 14 goals and, with the club becoming founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920, he took his place in the team’s first- ever game in that competition at home to Brentford.

Jim left Exeter in 1921 and signed for Accrington Stanley where he stayed for two years and added 40 league appearances scoring 18 goals.