Mann: James Arthur (Jimmy)

1969-1974 (Player Details)

Midfield/Forward

Born: Goole: 15-12-1952

Debut: v Derby County (h) (substitute): 27-09-1971

5’6” 11st 11lb (1973)

Mann was educated at Goole County Secondary Modern and played for Yorkshire Schoolboys before joining Leeds United, after leaving school, as an apprentice and turning professional in December 1969. He was recommended to Leeds at the age of twelve and was kept under review until he left school, after gaining representative honours at inside left in the all the Yorkshire County games. He graduated through the United Intermediate side and became a regular in the Leeds Central League team and his shooting ability was recognized as he was sometimes drafted into the strikers' role. He made his debut as a substitute for Billy Bremner and the following Saturday at home to West Ham United, he had his run on debut at Elland Road at inside right in a 0-0 draw, but was replaced by Chris Galvin. He was given his European debut just two days after his initial debut when United fielded an understrength team in the 0-4 home defeat by Lierse SK, again at inside right but was later replaced by Norman Hunter. His final Leeds game was also in Europe, in the Third Round Second Leg 1-3 defeat by Vitoria Setubal in December 1973, when he again featured at inside right. A free transfer took him to Bristol City in May 1974 and he became a key player there, chiefly as a midfielder, helping them to win promotion to the First Division in 1975-76. Many Bristol City fans consider Mann to have scored the greatest goal ever by anyone playing for their team. He beaten a couple of players before he struck the ball from over thirty yards into the top corner of the net. The strike took place on 22nd September 1979 in a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate against the reigning European Champions Nottingham Forest and the opposing goalkeeper was the England keeper Peter Shilton, who was in his prime at the time. However, City later hit deep financial trouble, he was one of eight players who agreed to have their contracts cancelled to help save the club. With Thirty-one goals in two hundred and five starts and twenty-six substitute appearances in League games to his name, he was signed for Barnsley by former Leeds United and Bristol City team-mate, Norman Hunter, in February 1982. He made fourteen starts and another one from the bench in League games while at Oakwell. In December 1982 he joined Scunthorpe United on a non-contract basis, but only made two League starts, and in February 1983 went to Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer. He made his Doncaster debut on 15th February 1983 in a 0-5 defeat at Wrexham in the Third Division and went on to make thirteen League appearances without scoring. He played Non-League football for his home town, Goole Town, and then joined Bentley Victoria. He worked as a Security Officer and a Milkman before becoming a Jetty Master for the Associated British Ports in Goole.