Leighton James was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a winger.
22 Facts About Leighton James
1.
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Leighton James played almost 400 times for Burnley FC in three different spells at the club, being tenth on the club's most appearance list.
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Leighton James was widely regarded as one of Swansea City's finest ever players and his goal for Swansea against Preston North End in the final game of the season in 1981 helped Swansea get promoted to the Football League First Division for the first time in their history.
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Leighton James made his debut against West Bromwich Albion in October 1977, and went on to play 33 games, scoring six goals.
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Leighton James later had spells with Sunderland, Bury and Newport County, before he returned to Burnley for a third spell in 1986 as youth-team manager and occasional player.
6.
Leighton James retired from playing in 1989 after being sacked as youth-team manager.
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Leighton James captained the team, making his first appearance as captain against Iceland at Vetch Field, Swansea, in October 1981.
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Leighton James played 54 times for Wales, scoring ten goals.
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Leighton James became a coach at Bradford City, before succeeding Gary Simpson as manager of Gainsborough Trinity in October 1993.
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Leighton James was the manager at Morecambe, but was sacked after five months in charge.
11.
On 29 September 1997, Leighton James took over from Tony Greenwood as manager of Accrington Stanley.
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Leighton James spent five months in charge at the Crown Ground, before resigning in February 1998 due to other work commitments.
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Leighton James worked as a football pundit for BBC radio and television, along with a regular programme on Real Radio.
14.
In December 2009, Leighton James was appointed manager of Welsh Football League Division One side Aberaman Athletic.
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Leighton James was appointed Director of Football at Welsh Football League Division One side Haverfordwest County in 2011, but resigned after less than two months.
16.
In June 2007, the BBC reported that Leighton James was given a driving ban for driving while one-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit.
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Leighton James caused controversy in March 2008 by commenting in his column in the South Wales Evening Post that he would like Cardiff City to lose to Barnsley in the 2008 FA Cup semi-final.
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Leighton James returned on 26 April 2008 to the Wales on Saturday programme.
19.
Away from football, in June 2007, Leighton James was named Rookie Lollipop Man of the Year by Swansea Council for Penyrheol Primary School, which his nephew Thomas Leighton James went to.
20.
Leighton James was a rugby fan and often commented on rugby on the Real Radio sports phone-in.
21.
Leighton James played cricket and has been described as an extremely competent batsman.
22.
Leighton James died in Cwmrhydyceirw on 19 April 2024, at the age of 71.