John James passes away: former Valiants forward and fans’ favourite has sadly died at the age of 72.
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Locally born James played 229 times for Port Vale, scoring 44 times before having spells with Tranmere Rovers and Chester City. He won promotion with all three sides.
He turned professional in 1966 and became a first-team regular in 1967. James helped Gordon Lee’s Valiants side to promotion in 1970 when he scored seventeen times in 43 appearances. He missed most of the 1971-71 season with a cartlidge injury and was sold to Chester City for £5,000 in 1973. He enjoyed his spell with Chester scoring memorable goals during a FA Cup giantkilling campaign in the 1974-75 season. The club also managed promotion to the Third Division. He ended his career at Tranmere Rovers where he won promotion to the Third Division in 1976. His football career spanned 429 games and 122 goals.
John James at Vale Park
Time at club: 1966 to 1973
Appearances: 229
Goals: 44
John James 1948 – 2021: RIP Forever Valiant.
John James passes away. Want to pay tribute to a Vale great? Scroll down to post a comment
Those pictures show the sort of forward he was – right in against the goalie, putting his body on the line to get goals for the Vale. Three promotions with three different clubs shows what a valuable player he was. Rest in peace John, and thank you.
Brilliant
Great forward for the vale Jessy James he was so popular with the fan’s
Rest in peace
Johnny James. (Jamo ) he would run through a brick wall for the club not blessed with pace or skill but a worker every game 100 percent another local player sadly gone to join Clinton Boulton RIP lads
Great player he was my favourite player. I first saw him when I was 11yeats old I’m now 71
He was a great player I saw him play when I was 11 yeasrs old. I’m now 71. Born 1950
He was my favourite player RIP John boy
This bloke will always be a Chester legend , it was privilege to have watched him especially that great night against Leeds rip
John was a great player he was my favourite player I was 19 Years old whe I first saw him play at vale park. I’m now 71 born 1950. RIP John James my regards to all his family I will miss players like him.
I worked with John at Michelin, just one of the lads. He joined in all inter departmental games., cricket and football. Used to play squash at Michelin sports centre after a night shift, both of us tired but still competitive, (accidentally whacking each other). Lost touch after he moved to Torquay to take over a newsagents.
As the previous comments have said a very wholehearted payer who gave everything for Port Vale. R I P Jamo
Anyone who watched the Vale in the late sixties and early seventies would have had the greatest regard for John James. He was loved by the fans. Committed and wholehearted he wouldnt have been one of the players needing to ring Carol to apologise for a lack of effort in games. His 31 goals between 1969 and 1971 were in a Vale side better at defending than attacking. He was the focal point of our promotion side of 1970 and will always have a place in our hearts along with the recently departed Clinton Boulton and Mick Morris, players yoy were proud to have in your team.
Another vale favourite gone RIP John
A true pro hard as nails rip john
Brave and took a lot of stick of his markers. Took a lot of weight of his teammates with his hold up play. RIP Jessy James.
11th Feb just read about the death of John James just sending my condolences to his family. He was one of the bravest and committed players l ever played with and was a fantastic person and colleague RIP Brian Horton
Excellent player .for the Vale . John always gave 100 per sent . Enjoyed watching Him playing football. RIP .
Fond memories of John James. A brave, skillful favourite of all Vale fans in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Who can forget the Wrexham and Wigan games? He was one of the most committed players ever to put that white strip on. “Super Vale Away “always with Jamo, Tommy Mac, Ray Williams, Mick Cullerton and Nobby Horton to name a few. The laundry lass couldn’t have been happy, as Jamo’s kit was always filthy. RIP legend John James.
Loved him at Tranmere. Always committed. Sadly suffered a horrific broken leg against Crystal Palace in 1976. Never really recovered. RIP.
A Port Vale hero of mine
RIP John “Jessy” James
My classmate he was always special
I remember John when he played for Tranmere Rovers. A willing energy filled player who gave his utmost. A great example to those around him.
TWO GREAT PLAYERS, FROM TWO GENERATIONS,MESSERS JOHN JAMES,AND JOHN JEFFERS,HAVE LEFT US SUCH A PRIVILIGE TO HAVE SEEN THEM BOTH, R I P JOHN JAMES, CONDOLANCES TO YOUR FAMILY
Great memories of jamo one of the bravest lads I ever played with r.i.p john
I remember Jessy James as he was known when i was a kid in the railway stand , the smell of pipe smoke and him banging the goals in great times bless him RIP John
Can only emulate what other vale supporters have said, remember on one occasion he got injured paddled in the sea at Blackpool guess what he made the next game, shame we don’t have the same steel and commitment now Rip John very fond memories
One of the greats of Tranmere’s 1976 promotion year. RIP.
Sorry to hear about my old playing mate Jamo (John James) what a player and character who played in our promotion winning team. He formed one of the toughest partnerships and goalscorers with Ronnie Moore in the division, with nobody wanting to play against them. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.
John James, probably the bravest forward I have seen in my 60 odd years of going there. RIP
So sorry to hear the sad news of John James (Jamo) my ex team mate. My thoughts are with his family. A great player and a true professional.
No Chester fan will ever forget that evening in November 74. A brace from “Jesse” James taking us to a scarcely believable 3-0 humbling of the same Leeds side that reached the European Cup Final later that season. It was no flash in the pan from James: he scored the winner against Newcastle in the quarter final and was again on target against Villa in the 5-4 aggregate defeat in the semi. By some way Chester’s best ever cup run. He was also leading scorer in the club’s first ever promotion that same season. Need I say more? Incomprehensibly, he was allowed to join Tranmere a few months later. It came as no surprise when he promptly fired them to promotion as well. Remembering the likes of John James keeps us going now that the club struggles in National League North. Will those nights ever return? RIP. One of the all time club legends.
John James was probably the toughest and bravest forward we have ever had at the Vale, certainly during the 65+ years I have been going there.
Many great memories watching from the old Bycars End.
Rest in peace ‘Jessy’.
Hello im 66yr old who absolutely loved watching John(Jessee)James while singing in the Bycars end , this exciting player will always be in my memories.I loved the football back then .God Bless Jessee James.
Jamo epitomised the Valiants in the late 1960s and early 70s. He was so determined to embarrass opposition defences, and to please us fans. We were blessed with some brilliant players at this time, and John James led the forward line magnificently. It’s great to see legends Brian Horton and ‘Viva’ Bobby Gough paying tribute to their teammate. Respect to you great John ‘Jesse’ James. RIP.
R.I.P. “Jamo” Jill and Tony Loska.
Remember him from his Tranmere days. A vital part of the promotion team in 75/76. I was at the Crystal Palace game when he suffered a broken leg.
RIP
I’m a Tranmere Rovers fan and watched John “Jesse” James play for us as a teenager from the Cowshed. Great memories of a brilliant player, R. I. P John SWA sad day for us all, respect to your family ⚽⚽⚽
Hi thank you so much for your kind words. John passed away on Sunday 7th February at 6 :55am. I’m the company of his wife of 53yrs and my self his sister in law. X
God bless Jamo. My first Vale football hero. Loved his goal celebrations to the Bycars, both arms raised in a famous V for Vale salute.I am so shocked and sad to hear of him passing on.
Just read the sad news down here in New Zealand
John James lived a few hundred yards down the road from me on the Walton estate in Stone. He was one of my first soccer hero’s, and I was awestruck when I first met him and started following the Vale in the late 60’s. He was a quiet, genuine down to earth bloke helpful and friendly and would sometimes give my sister a lift into Hanley on his way to the Vale! That promotion season he seemed to be everywhere, nicking goals and causing mayhem in opposition defences.
Fond memories of a true hero! R.I.P. Jesse James.
RIP John.
So sad to hearing of Jesse’s passing… played alongside him in those Chester League Cup triumphs against Leeds & Newcastle of 1974-75 season. Lovely guy, great company off the field, brave player, he roasted centre halves with his passion, non stop effort & ferocious tackles. They no longer make strikers like Jesse. Ian Seddon
R.I.P. John, one of my forever favourite Vale players.
Perhaps a nice tribute just for one game could be the Vale team coming out to Chers “Just like Jessie James”
Barny.
Chester fans will never forget jesse james putting leeds to the sword in 1974 , RIP and thanks for the memories .