James Gordon (23 October 1915 – 29 August 1996) was a Scottish football player and coach. A native of Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Gordon played for Newcastle United and Middlesbrough as a wing-half. He later worked as a coach under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Derby County and Nottingham Forest, and was assistant manager to Clough during his 44-day reign at Leeds United.[2] In honour of his contribution, Gordon was allowed to lead out the Forest players at Wembley for the 1980 Football League Cup Final.[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Gordon | ||
| Date of birth | 23 October 1915 | ||
| Place of birth | Fauldhouse, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 29 August 1996 (aged 80) | ||
| Place of death | Derby, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (1.69 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Wing half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1931–1935 | Wishaw Juniors | ||
| 1935–1945 | Newcastle United | 144 | (3) |
| 1945–1954 | Middlesbrough | 253 | (4) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1973 | Derby County (caretaker) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Gordon retired as a football coach in May 1981.
He was portrayed by Maurice Roëves in the 2009 film The Damned United, which focuses on Clough's management of Derby and Leeds.[4]