James MITCHELL

Jim Mitchell, also known as Fred, holds a unique place in footballing history as the last man to play for England in a full international wearing spectacles and he is also uniquely the last man to play in an FA Cup Final wearing glasses. The son of a solicitor, Mitchell attended Arnold Grammar School in Blackpool before going to Manchester University from when he graduated in 1920. He joined his home-town team as a junior and made his league début for Blackpool as a 19-year-old in 1915. He then played for the Northern Nomads and his University team and Mitchell was Great Britain’s first choice goalkeeper for the 1920 Olympics but after a 3-1 defeat by Norway the British team were on their way home and just over a week later Mitchell joined Preston North End as an amateur. He played in 21 League games for Preston and played in several cup ties including the 1922 FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge against Huddersfield Town. With the scores level at 0-0, Huddersfield were awarded a controversial penalty in the 67th minute when Billy Smith was brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Many felt the foul was outside the area, but Smith got up and converted the spot kick for the only goal of the game. It was the last FA Cup Final to be played at a ground other than Wembley Stadium until the 1970 replayed final between Chelsea and Leeds United at Old Trafford. After the Cup Final Mitchell joined Manchester City and spent four years at Maine Road before one season at Leicester City as a reserve ‘keeper, before his retirement after 125 League games. He won five England amateur caps, and against Ireland at Goodison Park in 1924 he made his one and only full England appearance. Eleven days earlier he won the last of his amateur caps playing in goal for England against South Africa. He returned to his old Blackpool school as a teacher for while before joining a well known shoe manufacturer in Leicester and later became a director of the company.