James King

Arguably Ballymena’s greatest ever Scottish goalkeeper, popular stopper James King starred for both Ballymena FC and Ballymena United in the 1930’s.

Born of Greenock in Scotland, James’ career between the posts began in junior football as a teenager with Port Glasgow Athletic, before quickly getting picked up by then struggling Scottish Second Division club Armadale in April 1927.

King was one of the few bright sparks in a difficult first full season for the West Lothian club during the 1927/1928 season as Armadale finished bottom of the Second Division. His performances though had caught the eye of First Division clubs that year, and after refusing to re-sign for the following year, he signed for Airdrieonians in October 1928, ahead of strong interest from Ayr United.

The 21-year-old was brought in as understudy to David Currie and made 6 appearances during his first season in the top-flight of Scottish football in 1928/1929. Unfortunately, he only made one further senior appearance over the course of the next two seasons in a frustrating spell for the goalkeeper.

In search of regular first team football, he made the move across the Irish Sea in 1931 joining the growing Scottish contingent at the Ballymena Showgrounds for the 1931/1932 campaign. King would quickly establish himself as the number one goalkeeper in a team that boasted no less than ten other Scottish natives throughout the year.

He kept a clean sheet on his debut in the scoreless draw against Derry City at the Showgrounds in August, as Ballymena finished sixth in the Irish League, but were on the losing side of the club’s first ever Gold Cup Final, losing 3-0 to rivals Coleraine at Solitude in December 1931, in front of 10,000 fans.

Injury disrupted James’ second season at the Braid with only 31 appearances, as cost-cutting had impacted the playing budget meaning that a new influx of Scots appeared in Sky Blue but the early success of the Ballymena FC club was now a distant memory, as the club slumped to eighth position in the standings – their lowest since the formation of the team.

It went from bad to worse for King and the club, as despite an up-turn in form on the pitch during the 1933/1934 season, disaster struck the Showgrounds as the club were suspended by the Irish FA in April 1934 after allegations regarding payments amateur players. A dramatic summer ensued at the Braid club, which eventually ended with the liquidation of the club and the formation of a reincarnated Ballymena United FC to take its place in the league.

27-year-old King was one of only four players that remained loyal to the club and pledged to join the newly formed Ballymena United FC (alongside John McNinch, Jock Wallace and John Williamson) for the 1934/1935 season. Under new player-manager Joe Miller a suite of goalkeepers were used in a transition campaign, with King only managing 14 appearances in the new look team.

After four seasons at the Showgrounds, James was granted a free transfer in May 1935. Having made 125 appearances for the Sky Blues, and keeping 23 clean sheets. This still remains the record number of shut-outs any Scottish goalkeeper has achieved at the club.

Having taken up profession as an electric engineer, in the summer of 1935, King stayed local and joined Ballymena-based Intermediate League side Summerfield before getting the call to return to senior football with Glentoran in February 1936, where he made 11 appearances for the East Belfast club.

His spell at Glentoran proved to be the final stop in his football journey, hanging up his boots at just 29 years old. Despite moving back to live in Scotland, he married a Ballymena girl called Nellie Gordon in July 1938.

Little is known of James King’s life after football – albeit he still took a keen interest in the club and his former team-mates after his retirement.

Career
Port Glasgow Athletic; (Apr 1927) Armadale; (Oct 1928) Airdrieonians; (Jul 1931) Ballymena; (1935) Summerfield; (Feb 1936) Glentoran

Honours
(with Ballymena)
Gold Cup: (finalist) 1931/1932