28 Facts About Jimmy Gabriel

James Gabriel was a Scottish football defensive midfielder and defender who earned two caps with the Scotland national football team.

Chiefly associated with English clubs Everton and Southampton, Jimmy Gabriel played extensively in Scotland and England before ending his career with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League.

Jimmy Gabriel then became a coach in both England and the United States.

Jimmy Gabriel first came to the attention of Dundee when he played at right-half for the Scotland under-15 schoolboys in an international at Dens Park.

Jimmy Gabriel's talent shone through and Dundee manager Willie Thornton snapped him up after the game, despite interest from several other top clubs.

Jimmy Gabriel was initially loaned out to Dundee North End Juniors, but was recalled to Dens Park a year later.

Jimmy Gabriel was to remain a first team regular at Dundee, going on to make 67 appearances.

Jimmy Gabriel joined Everton after three years at Dundee in March 1960.

Jimmy Gabriel became a strong influence in the Everton side as a powerful right-half whose preference for a defensive role made him a useful partner in the midfield for the more attacking Brian Harris on the left.

Jimmy Gabriel played 304 games for Everton, scoring 37 goals and won two Scottish caps.

Southampton's manager Ted Bates tried to sign him initially in March 1967 but Jimmy Gabriel was reluctant to move South.

At Southampton, Jimmy Gabriel was a vital part of the defence alongside John McGrath and Denis Hollywood and helped Saints avoid relegation several times.

Jimmy Gabriel was a tough defender but had skill to match.

Jimmy Gabriel was occasionally drafted in as an emergency striker with some degree of success.

Jimmy Gabriel played a total of 224 matches for the Saints, scoring 27 goals, and was a firm crowd favourite.

Jimmy Gabriel spent a short period on loan at Swindon Town before finishing his UK playing career at Brentford.

In 1977, Jimmy Gabriel replaced John Best as head coach of the Sounders.

Jimmy Gabriel earned two caps with Scotland and six more with the Scotland under-23 team.

Jimmy Gabriel was unable to replicate his first year success and in 1980, the Sounders replaced him with Alan Hinton.

Jimmy Gabriel then went on to coach George Best and the San Jose Earthquakes from 1980 to 1982 for one outdoor season and two indoor seasons.

Jimmy Gabriel was briefly caretaker manager of Everton for one game in November 1990 and for seven games between December 1993 and January 1994.

Jimmy Gabriel returned to Seattle in 1997 where he became an assistant to Dean Wurzberger, who played for Jimmy Gabriel on the Sounders reserve teams in the 1970s, on the Washington Huskies men's and women's teams.

Jimmy Gabriel was the coaching director of the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association and worked in certifying coaches for the State Association.

Jimmy Gabriel served several years as an assistant coach with the Sounders.

On 29 March 2009, Jimmy Gabriel was honoured by the new Seattle Sounders FC MLS club with the "Golden Scarf" award for his services to soccer in Seattle.

Jimmy Gabriel received the scarf at a ceremony on the pitch before the Sounders' second game, versus Real Salt Lake.

Jimmy Gabriel suffered from Alzheimer's disease in the later years of his life.

Jimmy Gabriel died on 10 July 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona, aged 80.