Jim Leighton Player Profile

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Personal

  • Full Name: James Leighton
  • Born: July 24th, 1958 (Johnstone)
  • Height: 6' 1

Career



Dundee Career Summary

Competitive Friendlies Other (War)
1991-92 15- - - - -
1992-93 10- - - - -
TOTAL 25- - - - -

NOTES:
Other Cups may include: Anglo-Scottish Cup, Challenge Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Drybrough Cup, International Soccer League, League Cup, Summer Cup, Texaco Cup.


Biography

Legendary goalkeeper Jim Leighton who was signed towards the end of lain Munro's reign as manager, at what were traumatic times at Dens Park. Indeed, the Dundee boss wasn't a party to Leighton's record £200,000 transfer from Manchester United. But no matter how big a name he may have been, Leighton's days at Dens were destined to be brief.

At the time the move rescued the then 33-year-old Scotland keeper from an Old Trafford nightmare after having been dropped from the side following the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup Final.

Before following Alex Ferguson to Old Trafford, he had of course spent several successful seasons at Pittodrie where he won basically everything that there was to be won. A European Cup Winners Cup medal v Real Madrid. European Super Cup v Hamburg, several Premier League titles as well as numerous successes in both the Scottish and League Cup.

He eventually moved down south for £700,000 to Manchester United in 1986. After being dropped by Alex Ferguson for the replayed FA Cup Final against Palace, he went on loan to Arsenal, and briefly, to Reading as well, before coming to Dens in February 1992.

Almost 6,000-double the average gate that season-saw Jim make his debut in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at Dens. He played in the last thirteen games of the season as Dundee clinched the First Division title, but lost his place early the following season, taking the blame for a 6-3 defeat at Firhill by Partick Thistle, the team who had accompanied them into the Premier Division.

After losing his place to Paul Mathers, he played just twice more that season, never again figuring in the side after a 3-1 home defeat by Rangers on Boxing Day 1992.

Returning south on loan to Sheffield United, he failed to appear in their first team and left Dens ignominiously on a free transfer at the end of the season.

His move to Hibs in the summer of 1993 resurrected, not only his career at club level, but also for Scotland, enabling him to go on and become the most capped goalkeeper in this country's history-having represented his country at three World Cups.

He finished his career at back at Aberdeen.

Debut

February 8th, 1992
Dundee 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

League (First Division)


Playing Statistics - First Team Competitive matches (All Seasons)


Competition NPS Win % Draw % Loss %
League 21-- --
Scottish Cup 2-- --
League Cup 2-- --
Totals: 25-- --

 Recent Starting Appearances (First Team Competitive matches)
 26/12/92 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H) 1 - 3
 05/12/92 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H) 1 - 1
 29/08/92 Premier Division vs. Partick (A) 3 - 6
 22/08/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A) 1 - 2
 19/08/92 3rd Round vs. Celtic (A) 0 - 1

 Recent Goals Scored (First Team Competitive matches)
 None

 List of First Team Competitive matches played (click to expand)
 26/12/92 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 3
 05/12/92 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 1
 29/08/92 Premier Division vs. Partick (A)  3 - 6
 22/08/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 2
 19/08/92 3rd Round vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 15/08/92 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  4 - 3
 11/08/92 2nd Round vs. Meadowbank Th (A)  3 - 0
 08/08/92 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (1878) (A)  0 - 0
 04/08/92 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  1 - 1
 01/08/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  1 - 2
 02/05/92 First Division vs. Montrose (H)  1 - 2
 25/04/92 First Division vs. Forfar (H)  3 - 1
 18/04/92 First Division vs. Kilmarnock (A)  0 - 2
 11/04/92 First Division vs. Ayr Utd (A)  0 - 0
 07/04/92 First Division vs. Morton (H)  2 - 2
 04/04/92 First Division vs. Meadowbank Th (A)  0 - 0
 28/03/92 First Division vs. Clydebank (H)  3 - 0
 21/03/92 First Division vs. Raith Rovers (H)  3 - 2
 14/03/92 First Division vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 1
 07/03/92 First Division vs. Stirling Albion (H)  5 - 0
 29/02/92 First Division vs. Partick (A)  0 - 2
 24/02/92 4th Round Replay vs. Falkirk (H)  0 - 1
 22/02/92 First Division vs. Montrose (A)  3 - 2
 15/02/92 4th Round vs. Falkirk (A)  0 - 0
 08/02/92 First Division vs. Kilmarnock (H)  1 - 1

 List of First Team Competitive goals scored
None

  = Starting Appearances (Sub Appearances) | = Goals | NPS = Squad Appearances (as Non-Playing Sub) | GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in


Timeline

  • Date of Birth

    Thursday, July 24th, 1958

  • International Debut

    Wednesday, October 13th, 1982

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee 1 - 1 Kilmarnock
    League (First Division)

    Saturday, February 8th, 1992

  • Last Appearance

    Dundee 1 - 3 Rangers
    League (Premier Division)

    Saturday, December 26th, 1992


International Career (Scotland)

Caps: 91

International Debut: October 13th, 1982 v. Germany