Rudd: John James (Jimmy)

1949-1949 (Player Details)

Outside Left

Born: Dublin, Republic of Ireland: 25-10-1919

Debut v Bury (h): 12-02-1949

5’6” 10st 0lb (1949)

Rudd played for the Dublin side Fearons in the Leinster League, and then Tenure Athletic, another Dublin club from whom he joined Manchester City in January 1938. After one game for City he was picked for Ireland against England at the age of eighteen, but City refused to release him, saying he was not ready for International Football. During the war, when he was stationed in North Yorkshire with the Durham Light Infantry, he guested for York City and, after two post-war appearances for Manchester City he was released in March 1947 and joined York City. After scoring twenty-three goals in eighty-three League appearances, in February 1949, he was part of an exchange deal involving Tom Hindle and became a Leeds player. He immediately went into the Leeds team taking over from Billy Heaton and held the left-wing spot for the rest of the season. In the close season United signed two footed Welsh International Winger Harold Williams from Newport County and Rudd held on to his left wing spot for the first few games of the season, as Davie Cochrane was injured. As soon as the Irish International returned Williams switched to the left wing and Rudd had played his last game for United. He therefore took the chance to move to Rotherham United in October 1949. For Rotherham he once scored two goals direct from corners against Wrexham in August1950 and was almost an ever-present member of their 1950-51 Third Division North Championship side. There can hardly have been a more skilful player on Rotherham United’s books than Rudd, who was an out and out left winger. His crossing ability was second to none, as was his ball control, and he was a more than useful acquisition in his first season. However it was his second season that he really made his mark as he played a major role in helping the team to win the Third Division North title. He missed just four games and netted four times including two in a 5-0 win over Wrexham on 26th August 1950. But it was as a provider that he was best remembered and his skill in crossing the ball on to Jack Shaw’s head was uncanny. He provided many of the crosses for Shaw’s forty-six goals. After scoring eleven goals in seventy-five League matches he joined Scunthorpe United in October1951, where he scored four goals in thirty-two League games. He moved to Workington in September 1952, scoring once in seventeen League games before going into Non-League football with Northwich Victoria in June 1953 and susequently played with Stafford Rangers. Later he was a match-day steward at Maine Road. After ending his playing days he worked for Kellogs as a cooker operator and was a TFWU general secretary for twenty-one years, then a kitchen porter at Manchester Royal Infirmary. He died of cancer on 13th December1985 aged sixty-six. His nephew, Billy Rudd, played for Birmingham City, York City, Grimsby Town, Rochdale and Bury between 1959 and 1976.