Jimmy Hinch
Encyclopedia
James “Jim” or “Jimmy” Hinch (nicknamed the Prince) was an English Association football forward
who spent most of his career in the lower English divisions. He also played two seasons in the American Soccer League
, where he was the 1976 ASL leading scorer MVP, and two in the North American Soccer League
.
Hinch began his professional career in 1969 with Tranmere Rovers in the Football League Third Division
. On February 10, 1971, Tranmere transferred Hinch to fellow third division club Plymouth Argyle
. In 1973, he then moved to Hereford United. In 1974, Hinch moved up to York City which had just won promotion to the Football League Second Division
the previous season. He went on loan to fourth division Southport F.C.
during March and April in the 1974-1975 season. In 1976 and again in 1977, Hinch went on loan to the Los Angeles Skyhawks
of the American Soccer League
. The Skyhawks were established in 1976, but ran to the league championship as Hinch led the league in scoring with thirteen goals and six assists in eighteen games. This led to Hinch's selection as League MVP. In 1977, Hinch finished second behind Jose Neto
in scoring with eleven goals and thirteen assists, gaining him first team All Star recognition. York City transferred Hinch to Sheffield Wednesday for the 1977-1978 season, but he played only one game for Wednesday before moving to Barnsley F.C.
At the end of the season, Barnsley sold Hinch's contract to the California Surf
of the North American Soccer League
. He spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons with the Surf.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who spent most of his career in the lower English divisions. He also played two seasons in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, where he was the 1976 ASL leading scorer MVP, and two in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
.
Hinch began his professional career in 1969 with Tranmere Rovers in the Football League Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. On February 10, 1971, Tranmere transferred Hinch to fellow third division club Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. In 1973, he then moved to Hereford United. In 1974, Hinch moved up to York City which had just won promotion to the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
the previous season. He went on loan to fourth division Southport F.C.
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
during March and April in the 1974-1975 season. In 1976 and again in 1977, Hinch went on loan to the Los Angeles Skyhawks
Los Angeles Skyhawks
The Los Angeles Skyhawks was a professional soccer club based in Los Angeles, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. Founded as part of the American Soccer League's expansion to the west coast in 1976, they were the first professional sports team to be based in the San Fernando...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. The Skyhawks were established in 1976, but ran to the league championship as Hinch led the league in scoring with thirteen goals and six assists in eighteen games. This led to Hinch's selection as League MVP. In 1977, Hinch finished second behind Jose Neto
José Neto
José Manuel Conceiçāo Neto was a Portuguese footballer who played for SL Benfica and was part of their European Cup victory in 1961....
in scoring with eleven goals and thirteen assists, gaining him first team All Star recognition. York City transferred Hinch to Sheffield Wednesday for the 1977-1978 season, but he played only one game for Wednesday before moving to Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
At the end of the season, Barnsley sold Hinch's contract to the California Surf
California Surf
The California Surf were a soccer club based in Anaheim, California who played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1981. Their home field was Anaheim Stadium.They originally were the St. Louis Stars...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. He spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons with the Surf.