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Fullname: James Young
aka: Jim Young, Sunny Jim
Born: 10 January 1882
Died: 4 Sep 1922
Birthplace: Kilmarnock, Scotland
Signed: 1 May 1903
Position: Defender/Midfield
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 1
International Goals: 0

Biog

James 'Sunny Jim' Young is one of the greatest names in the rich history of Celtic FC.

Born in Kilmarnock the dour faced but big hearted half-back joined Celtic in May 1903 on a free transfer from Bristol Rovers and began a love affair with the club which was to last 14 incredible, trophy-laden years. He is said to have not come from a Celtic background, so continues the curious irony of great Celts with a non-Celtic background (e.g. Alec McNair etc).

Prior to becoming a Bhoy, Young had been a self-confessed football mercenary quite prepared to play for any club which paid him a decent wage. But from the moment of his arrival at Parkhead Young developed an amazing affinity with a club in which he previously had no links with. It was to be a relationship which Celtic supporters would treasure forever.

Young made his debut in a goaless Charity Cup tie with Hibernian on May 16th 1903 and although originally played in defence he was soon moved to midfield from where he would orchestrate numerous wonderful Celtic successes for more than a decade.

Immensly hard working and tough tackling Young was to forge the perfect link between defence and attack and he was both the heartbeat and lungs of the Celtic side. His tireles running and battling runs were simply the inspiration for success after success.

A natural born leader it was no surprise when Willie Maley appointed Sunny Jim captain in 1911. He would roar his team-mates on to victory and his pride in wearing the Hoops was obvious every second he was on the pitch.

With Young in the side Celtic won an amazing ten league championships and five Scottish Cups and no player contributed more to that glory than Sunny Jim. He may not have possessed the skills of some of his contemporaries but there was no one in the game who offered the effort and commitment of Young. Bizarrely he only received one international cap!

If anyone is to question his ability, then they should note that he was our captain through many of the game in the 66 games unbeaten in the league from Nov 1915 - Apr 1917. An incredible achievement. However, his role in his run was ended early when he sustained a serious knee injury in Sep 1916 which he couldn't shake off and so curtailed and ended his football career.

He was to eventually retire in 1917 due to the injury but not before playing 443 games for his now beloved Celtic and scoring 13 goals. During his time at Parkhead Celtic enjoyed a level of success they were not to witness again until the arrival of Jock Stein as manager. It was no coincidence that Young's departure saw a dramatic dip in Celtic's fortunes after 1917.

As for the nickname of "Sunny Jim", it came from a cheesy advertisement for a breakfast cereal!

Tragically the magnificent James Young was to die on September 4th 1922 at the age of just 40 following a motorcycle accident involving a bike on which he was the passenger. His life will forever be cherished by the supporters of Celtic and in many ways he has a fair right to be called our greatest ever Celt and his place in the pantheon of Celtic greats must be referenced more often than has been to date.

James Young - a true Celtic great.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League Titles

• 1904-05, 1905-06, 1906-07, 1907-08, 1908-09, 1909-10, (six in a row)
  
• 1913-14, 1914-15, 1915-16, 1916-17, (four in a row)
  

Scottish Cup

• 1907, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1914

Glasgow Cups

• 1905,1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1916, 1917

Glasgow Charity Cups

• 9 times

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