Born
Limavady
James Shannon
Biography
Limavady goalkeeper James Shannon made his festive debut for the Sky Blues on Christmas Day 1929 but only played a handful of games for the club. Having played with Limavady United in the junior leagues since his teens, his reputation grew in the North West which led to Derry City signing the 21-year-old in October 1929 on Amateur forms. He didn’t break into the starting eleven at the Brandywell during their first season in senior football but it was at fellow newcomers Ballymena, where he would get his chance to shine. Brought to the Braid as reserve custodian to the…Read moreRead less
Limavady goalkeeper James Shannon made his festive debut for the Sky Blues on Christmas Day 1929 but only played a handful of games for the club.
Having played with Limavady United in the junior leagues since his teens, his reputation grew in the North West which led to Derry City signing the 21-year-old in October 1929 on Amateur forms. He didn’t break into the starting eleven at the Brandywell during their first season in senior football but it was at fellow newcomers Ballymena, where he would get his chance to shine.
Brought to the Braid as reserve custodian to the experienced John Gough, within two weeks he was thrust into making his senior debut on Christmas Day in a 3-1 defeat to Ards at the Showgrounds. Shannon would be awarded two further first team appearances by selectors during the 1929/1930 season in comfortable victories over Distillery and Cliftonville, the latter keeping his only clean sheet in Ballymena colours.
Shannon didn’t return to the club for the following campaign, despite the departure of Gough – instead rejoining his old club Limavady United. The ‘keeper stayed loyal to the Roesiders for much of the 1930’s but was called upon for short spells at Coleraine (1938) and Larne (1939) before the outbreak of the Second World War.
James Shannon passed away in December 1988 in Limavady, the day after his 81st birthday.
Career
Limavady United; (Oct 1929) Derry City; (Dec 1929) Ballymena; Limavady United; (Jun 1938) Coleraine; (Feb 1939) Larne
Having played with Limavady United in the junior leagues since his teens, his reputation grew in the North West which led to Derry City signing the 21-year-old in October 1929 on Amateur forms. He didn’t break into the starting eleven at the Brandywell during their first season in senior football but it was at fellow newcomers Ballymena, where he would get his chance to shine.
Brought to the Braid as reserve custodian to the experienced John Gough, within two weeks he was thrust into making his senior debut on Christmas Day in a 3-1 defeat to Ards at the Showgrounds. Shannon would be awarded two further first team appearances by selectors during the 1929/1930 season in comfortable victories over Distillery and Cliftonville, the latter keeping his only clean sheet in Ballymena colours.
Shannon didn’t return to the club for the following campaign, despite the departure of Gough – instead rejoining his old club Limavady United. The ‘keeper stayed loyal to the Roesiders for much of the 1930’s but was called upon for short spells at Coleraine (1938) and Larne (1939) before the outbreak of the Second World War.
James Shannon passed away in December 1988 in Limavady, the day after his 81st birthday.
Career
Limavady United; (Oct 1929) Derry City; (Dec 1929) Ballymena; Limavady United; (Jun 1938) Coleraine; (Feb 1939) Larne
Obituary
ObituariesJames Shannon passed away in December 1988 in Limavady, aged 81.
Statistics
- Apps
- 3
- Goals
- -
- -
- -
- Goals/game
- -
- Minutes
- 270
- Seasons
- 1
- Clean sheets
- 1
| Season | Apps | Goals | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929-1930 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Club spells
First Spell
Joined: 13 Dec 1929 · Left: 31 May 1930
Other clubs played for
Managers played under
| Manager | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection Committee | 25 Dec 1929 | 22 Feb 1930 | 3 |
Timeline
Signed
First competitive appearance
Ballymena United 1–3 Ards· Irish League · Ballymena Showgrounds
Ballymena and Ards met at he Showgrounds on Christmas Day before a good attendance. Midfield play characterised the opening exchanges, and when Ballymena's first chance came off-side spoiled the movement. Murphy got away up the left wing, and when Garrett tackled him he crossed the…
Last appearance · First competitive clean sheet · Latest recorded clean sheet
Cliftonville 0–4 Ballymena United· City Cup · Ballymena Showgrounds
Recorded contract end
Died
Limavady
Appearances (3)
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1930 | Cliftonville | 0–4 | Ballymena United | City Cup1929-1930 | W |
| 25 Jan 1930 | Ballymena United | 6–3 | Distillery | Irish League1929-1930 | W |
| 25 Dec 1929 | Ballymena United | 1–3 | Ards | Irish League1929-1930 | L |
Goals scored (0)
No goals recorded for these filters.