GetWiki

{{short description|Scottish footballer}}{{About|the Scottish football player|the American chemist|James L. Leighton}}{{EngvarB|date=April 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}

factoids

| image = Jim Leighton 2009.jpg| caption = Leighton in 200911575|access-date=24 March 2017}}195824|df=y}}| birth_place = Johnstone, Scotland| height = 6ft 1inJim Leighton, AFC Heritage TrustGoalkeeper (association football)>Goalkeeper| youthyears1 = URL=HTTPS://WWW.SCOTSMAN.COM/SPORT/FOOTBALL/TEAMS/ABERDEEN/INTERVIEW-JIM-LEIGHTON-FORMER-ABERDEEN-AND-HIBS-GOALKEEPER-1-2234460NEWSPAPER=THE SCOTSMANACCESS-DATE=27 DECEMBER 2017, | youthyears2 = Dalry Thistle F.C.>Dalry Thistle| years1 = 1977–1988Aberdeen F.C.>Aberdeen| caps1 = 301| goals1 = 0| years2 = 1977–1978Deveronvale F.C.>Deveronvale (loan)| caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 1988–1992Manchester United F.C.>Manchester United| caps3 = 73| goals3 = 0| years4 = 1991Arsenal F.C.>Arsenal (loan)| caps4 = 0| goals4 = 0| years5 = 1991–1992Reading F.C.>Reading (loan)| caps5 = 8| goals5 = 0| years6 = 1992–1993Dundee F.C.>Dundee| caps6 = 21| goals6 = 0| years7 = 1993Sheffield United F.C.>Sheffield United (loan)| caps7 = 0| goals7 = 0| years8 = 1993–1997Hibernian F.C.>Hibernian| caps8 = 151| goals8 = 0| years9 = 1997–2000Aberdeen F.C.>Aberdeen| caps9 = 82| goals9 = 0| totalcaps = 636| totalgoals = 0| nationalyears1 = 1982Scotland national under-21 football team>Scotland U21HTTP://WWW.FITBASTATS.COM/SCOTLANDU21/PLAYER.PHP?PLAYERID=39>TITLE=SCOTLAND U21 PROFILEACCESS-DATE=27 DECEMBER 2017, | nationalcaps1 = 2| nationalgoals1 = 0| nationalyears2 = 1982–1998Scotland national football team>Scotland| nationalcaps2 = 91| nationalgoals2 = 0}}James Leighton {{postnom|country=GBR|MBE}} (born 24 July 1958) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Leighton started his career with Aberdeen, where he won seven domestic trophies and the 1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup under the management of Alex Ferguson. Ferguson then signed Leighton for Manchester United in 1988, but dropped him after he conceded three goals in the 1990 FA Cup Final. Leighton then had spells with Arsenal, Reading, Dundee and Sheffield United, and rebuilt his career after joining Hibernian in 1993. He returned to Aberdeen in 1997, leading to a career total of over 600 appearances in the league alone.Leighton played in 91 international matches for Scotland. He was chosen for Scotland's FIFA World Cup squads in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1998, playing in the latter three of those tournaments.

Playing career

Aberdeen

Leighton joined Aberdeen from Scottish Junior club Dalry Thistle in 1977, after working in the civil service on leaving school. Before breaking into the Aberdeen first team he was loaned out for one season to Highland League club Deveronvale, where he is now an inductee of the club's Hall of Fame. Leighton achieved his greatest success under the management of Alex Ferguson in the early to mid-1980s. With Leighton in goal, Ferguson's Aberdeen won Premier Division titles in 1984 and 1985,Bobby Clark was still the goalkeeper in 1980. the Scottish Cup four times, the Scottish League Cup once, and the European Cup Winners' Cup and Super Cup in 1983.Brian Clough, a notorious critic of other goalkeepers for the national team during the 1970s and 1980s, has been reported as saying "Jim Leighton is a rare bird – a Scottish goalkeeper that can be relied on."NEWS,weblink Rangers axing Jim Stewart is more proof loyalty doesn't exist in football but do legends deserve special treatment?, Daily Record, 16 March 2017, 27 December 2017,

Manchester United

Ferguson, who had left Aberdeen to manage Manchester United in 1986, signed Leighton for £750,000 in 1988. In his first season with United, the club finished 11th. Leighton conceded 35 league goals and kept 14 clean sheets, while he conceded more than two goals only once in all competitions.In 1989–90 United finished two places lower in the league in 13th. Leighton played when United were defeated 5–1 in the league by newly promoted neighbours Manchester City, and conceded three goals in 1990 FA Cup Final, a 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace. He was then dropped from the United starting lineup for the replay, in which Les Sealey made a number of saves as United won the match 1–0. Leighton's disappointment was such that when handed the winner's medal by Sealey, he later returned it to his replacement's pocket, and when a medal specifically for Leighton was received by the club due to his appearance in the first match, he declined that too. The two players remained close friends, although Leighton's relationship with Ferguson deteriorated to the point where the two were no longer on speaking terms.WEB, Sir Alex Ferguson: Jim Leighton will never speak to former manager again, BBC Sport, 1 December 2018,weblink Sealey retained the position of first-choice goalkeeper for the 1990–91 season after signing a permanent contract. Although Leighton remained contracted to United for nearly two more years, he played only one more game for the club (against Halifax Town in the Football League Cup on 26 September 1990). He was fourth choice keeper in 1990–91 behind Sealey, Gary Walsh and youngster Mark Bosnich, and was loaned to Arsenal between March and May 1991, a period in which they won the league title, although he did not play.Leighton remained fourth choice United keeper in season 1991–92 behind Peter Schmeichel, Walsh and youngster Ian Wilkinson. He spent a portion of that season on loan with third-tier Reading.

Return to Scotland

In March 1992 Iain Munro signed him for Dundee for a £200,000 fee.WEB,weblink Jim Leighton profile, MUFCinfo, 27 December 2017, He played in the last dozen league games of the season winning the title in the Scottish second tier and promotion to the top flight. He was out of favour at Dens Park after Simon Stainrod replaced Munro as manager. Leighton had another non-playing loan spell at Sheffield United. His career was revitalised after Alex Miller signed him for Hibernian in summer 1993, Leighton playing over 150 games and missing only one league match in four seasons. He played in the 1993 Scottish League Cup Final defeat to Rangers.WEB,weblink On This Day: League Cup 1993, Rangers F.C., 24 October 2016, 27 December 2017, He was recalled to the Scotland national team, collecting 23 of his 91 Scotland caps at Hibs. He later said he played the best football of his career in his spell at Easter Road and rated Miller the second-best manager he played under.In 1997 Leighton returned to Aberdeen, where he featured regularly for another three seasons and reached 500 appearances for the club in 1998.WEB,weblink Hall of fame: Jim Leighton, AFC Heritage Trust, 27 December 2017, He was captain in the 2000 Scottish League Cup final defeat to Celtic.WEB, Celtic 2–0 Aberdeen, League Cup Final (contemporary newspaper scans),weblink The Celtic Wiki, 19 March 2000, 10 January 2018, He retired from playing after the 2000 Scottish Cup final defeat by Rangers. In that game he was substituted after three minutes, suffering a broken jaw in a challenge from Rod Wallace (requiring the insertion of metal plates into his face). With no substitute goalkeeper available, forward Robbie Winters took over in goal and Aberdeen lost 4–0.NEWS,weblink Rangers win 4–0 in Scottish Cup final, 27 May 2000, 12 November 2017, CBC Sports, Leighton's final league appearance that season meant that he set the record for the oldest player in the Scottish Premier League at 41 years and 302 days (since broken by Andy Millen in 2007).Millen confirmed as SPL's oldest, BBC Sport, 14 May 2007In July 2000 he was given a testimonial against Middlesbrough,WEB,weblink Match Report: Aberdeen 0 Middlesbrough 0 (7–6 pens), AFC Heritage Trust, 25 July 2000, 27 December 2017, the same opponent as in his first appearance for Aberdeen in a 1978 friendly;WEB,weblink Match Report: Aberdeen 3 Middlesbrough 2, AFC Heritage Trust, 7 August 1978, 27 December 2017, however he could not actually play in the match due to recovering from his cup final injury. He released his autobiography the same year. In 2004 he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

International career

Leighton's international career lasted for 16 years, from 1982 to 1998. He was an uncapped squad member for the 1982 World Cup,WEB,weblink Dark Blue Dons: Jim Leighton, AFC Heritage Trust, 27 December 2017, before making his debut against East Germany on 13 October 1982. Within two years he was his country's No. 1, and he played in all of his country's matches at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.After Leighton fell out of favour at club level, Andy Goram became Scotland first choice goalkeeper and played at Euro 92 and Euro 96. Leighton regained the position after a man of the match performance in a 1-0 home win versus Sweden in November 1996NEWS,weblinkweblink 8 June 2022, subscription, live, Football: Leighton saves the day, 11 November 1996, 27 December 2017, The Independent, during qualification for the 1998 World Cup. Leighton played all three Scotland matches at the tournament finals and became the last football player born in the 1950s to play in a FIFA World Cup game.He retired from international football on 10 October 1998. His last match was a European Championship qualifier against Estonia when aged 40 years and 78 days. This set a new record as the oldest player to play for Scotland, since broken by David Weir in September 2010.NEWS,weblink David Weir in line for milestone after recall to Scotland fold, The Scotsman, Wright, Angus, 25 August 2010, 1 September 2010, Leighton is a member of the Scotland Football Hall of Fame, having won his 50th cap in 1989. Leighton played 91 times for Scotland, second only to Kenny Dalglish's 102 appearances.

Coaching career

Leighton became Aberdeen's goalkeeping coach after retiring as a player. He parted company with the club in August 2009 when manager Mark McGhee (his former teammate, who had also brought him to Reading years earlier) chose to replace him with Colin Meldrum.Dons Goalkeeping Coach Moves On {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826103741weblink |date=26 August 2009 }}, AFC.co.uk, 23 August 2009 In February 2010 he was appointed as goalkeeping coach for Huntly in the Highland League.Huntly snap up Dons Legend Leighton as goalkeeper coach Press and Journal, 16 February 2010 Leighton was reappointed as the goalkeeping coach at Aberdeen on 13 December 2010, the first act of the new management team of Craig Brown and Archie Knox;New Management team {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213723weblink |date=24 May 2015 }} RedWeb, 13 December 2010 he left the club again at the request of manager Derek McInnes, at the end of the 2014–15 season.NEWS,weblink Leighton departs Aberdeen with no fanfare, 38 years on, Frank, Gilfeather, The Herald, Herald & Times Group, 21 May 2015, 15 June 2015, NEWS,weblink Jim Leighton considers quitting football after second Dons axing, Evening Express, 22 May 2015, 27 December 2017, He commented soon afterwards that he would look for work outside football, as he was unwilling to relocate from Aberdeen due to other work and family commitments,WEB,weblink Aberdeen: Jim Leighton fears end of coaching career, BBC Sport, BBC, 21 June 2015, 21 June 2015, and subsequently became a sales manager for companies providing services to the city's offshore industry.WEB,weblink Norsafe Appoints Ex-Scottish International Goalkeeper Jim Leighton MBE, Norsafe, 5 June 2017, 26 December 2017,

Career statistics

Club{| class"wikitable" style"text-align:center"

weblink 2023-03-08, afcheritage.org, WEB, Hibernian Player Jim Leighton Details,weblink 2023-03-08, www.fitbastats.com, WEB, Jim Leighton,weblink 2023-03-08, Deveronvale FC, en, ! rowspan="2" |Club! rowspan="2" |Season! colspan="3" |League! colspan="2" |National Cup! colspan="2" |League Cup! colspan="2" |Europe! colspan="2" |Other! colspan="2" |Total!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!Apps!Goals!Apps!Goals!Apps!Goals!Apps!GoalsAberdeen1976–77 Aberdeen F.C. season>1976–77Scottish Premier Division|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|0|01977–78 Aberdeen F.C. season>1977–78|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|0|01978–79 Aberdeen F.C. season>1978–79|11|0|0|0|3|0|3|0| -| -|17|01979–80 Aberdeen F.C. season>1979–80|2|0|1|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|3|01980–81 Aberdeen F.C. season>1980–81|35|0|2|0|5|0|4|0| -| -|46|01981–82 Aberdeen F.C. season>1981–82|36|0|6|0|10|0|6|0| -| -|58|01982–83 Aberdeen F.C. season>1982–83|35|0|5|0|8|0|11|0| -| -|59|01983–84 Aberdeen F.C. season>1983–84|36|0|7|0|10|0|10|0| -| -|63|01984–85 Aberdeen F.C. season>1984–85|34|0|6|0|1|0|2|0| -| -|43|01985–86 Aberdeen F.C. season>1985–86|26|0|5|0|4|0|5|0| -| -|40|01986–87 Aberdeen F.C. season>1986–87|42|0|3|0|1|0|2|0| -| -|48|01987–88 Aberdeen F.C. season>1987–88|44|0|6|0|5|0|4|0| -| -|59|0! colspan="2" |Total!301!0!41!0!47!0!47!0!-!-!436!0Deveronvale F.C.>Deveronvale (loan)1977–78 in Scottish football>1977–78Highland Football League>Highland League| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -| -|40|0Manchester United1988–89 Manchester United F.C. season>1988–89First Division|38|0|7|0|3|0|0|0| -| -|48|01989–90 Manchester United F.C. season>1989–90|35|0|7|0|3|0|0|0| -| -|45|01990–91 Manchester United F.C. season>1990–91|0|0|0|0|1|0|0|0| -| -|1|0! colspan="2" |Total!73!0!14!0!7!0!0!0!-!-!94!0Arsenal F.C.>Arsenal (loan)1990–91 Arsenal F.C. season>1990–91Football League First Division>First Division|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|0|0Reading F.C.>Reading (loan)1991–92 Reading F.C. season>1991–92Football League Third Division>Third Division|8|0|3|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|11|0Dundee1991–92 Dundee F.C. season>1991–92Scottish Football League First Division>Scottish First Division|13|0|2|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|15|01992–93 Dundee F.C. season>1992–93Scottish Football League Premier Division>Scottish Premier Division|8|0|0|0|2|0|0|0| -| -|10|0! colspan="2" |Total!21!0!2!0!2!0!0!0!-!-!25!0Sheffield United F.C.>Sheffield United (loan)1992–93 Sheffield United F.C. season>1992–93|Premier League|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0| -| -|0|0Hibernian1993–94 Hibernian F.C. season>1993–94Scottish Premier Division|44|0|2|0|5|0|0|0| -| -|51|01994–95 Hibernian F.C. season>1994–95|36|0|5|0|3|0|0|0| -| -|44|01995–96 Hibernian F.C. season>1995–96|36|0|1|0|2|0|0|0| -| -|39|01996–97 Hibernian F.C. season>1996–97|35|0|4|0|3|0|0|0|2|0|44|0! colspan="2" |Total!151!0!12!0!13!0!0!0!2!0!178!0Aberdeen1997–98 Aberdeen F.C. season>1997-98Scottish Football League Premier Division>Scottish Premier Division|34|0|1|0|2|0|0|0| -| -|37|01998–99 Aberdeen F.C. season>1998-99SPL|22|0|0|0|2|0|0|0| -| -|24|01999–2000 Aberdeen F.C. season>1999-00|26|0|7|0|3|0|0|0| -| -|36|0! colspan="2" |Total!82!0!8!0!7!0!0!0!-!-!97!0! colspan="3" |Career total!636+!0!80+!0!76!0!47!0!2!0!881!0">

International{| class"wikitable" style"text-align:center"|+Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!GoalsScotland national football team{{NFT>14474}}|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0——|0|0|0|0|0|0!colspan="2"|Total!!91!!0

Honours

Deveronvale

• Bells Cup East: 1977–78NEWS,weblink Jim Leighton, Deveronvale FC, 14 August 2017, 3 June 2022,

Aberdeen 'A'

• SFL Reserve Cup: 1978–79NEWS,weblink Match Report: Reserve League Cup Final (2L), AFC Heritage, 3 June 2022,
• Aberdeenshire Cup: 1980–81, 1982–83NEWS,weblink Match Report: Aberdeenshire Cup Final 1981, AFC Heritage, 3 June 2022, NEWS,weblink Match Report: Aberdeenshire Cup Final 1983, AFC Heritage, 3 June 2022,

Aberdeen

• Scottish Premier Division: 1983–84, 1984–85
• Scottish Cup: 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86
• Scottish League Cup: 1985–86
• Drybrough Cup: 1980–81NEWS,weblink Match Report: Drybrough Cup Final, AFC Heritage, 3 June 2022,
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1982–83
• European Super Cup: 1983

Manchester United

• FA Cup: 1989–90
• FA Charity Shield: 1990 (shared)

Dundee

• Scottish Football League First Division (second tier): 1991–92

Scotland

• The Rous Cup: 1985WEB,weblink New Addition: Stanley Rous Cup-Part 1 (1985), Soccer Nostalgia, 7 November 2016, 4 June 2017,

Individual

• Scotland national football team roll of honour: 1989
• Scottish Football Hall of Fame inductee: 2008NEWS,weblink Inductees 2008, Jim Leighton, Scottish Football Hall of Fame, 3 June 2022,
• Aberdeen FC Hall of Fame inductee: 2004NEWS,weblink Jim Leighton – "I knew I wasn’t finished with football", Ally Begg, 30 August 2018, 3 June 2022,
• Deveronvale FC Hall of Fame Inductee: 2019

See also

• List of footballers in Scotland by number of league appearances (500+)
• List of Scotland national football team captains

References

{{reflist}}

External links

• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{SFA profile}}
• London Hearts profile
• Club profile at sportingheroes.net
• International profile at sportingheroes.net
• Profile and stats at AFC Heritage Trust

{{Navboxes colour| title = Scotland squads| bg = #0C1C8C| fg = #FFFFFF| bordercolor = silver| list1 = {{Scotland Squad 1982 World Cup}}{{Scotland Squad 1986 World Cup}}{{Scotland Squad 1990 World Cup}}{{Scotland Squad 1996 European Championship}}{{Scotland Squad 1998 World Cup}}}}{{Scottish Football Hall of Fame}}{{Aberdeen F.C. Hall of Fame}}{{Authority control}}