Julian James
Encyclopedia
Julian Colin James is an English former football player, best known for his time at Luton Town
.
coach John Moore
during the summer of 1987, playing local football with his home town team Tring Tornadoes. Moore organised a professional contract for the 17-year-old defender
, and James signed for Luton soon after. He made his Luton Town debut on 7 May 1988, coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw with Southampton
, and made two more substitute appearances during the 1987–88 season.
He made his first start on 2 November 1988, in a League Cup
match at Elland Road
, home of Leeds United
. James's debut was a personal disaster, as he was sent off midway through the second half – however, Luton went on to win the game 2–0. He only made one more appearance during the 1988–89 season.
1989–90 proved to be a breakthrough for James, as he started 22 games for the club. His fine performances did not go unnoticed – he earnt two caps for the England under-21s
.
Still only 20, he was loaned out to Fourth Division
Preston North End
at the start of 1990–91, and made six appearances. He returned to Kenilworth Road
and became Luton's regular centre back alongside John Dreyer
, playing 25 times for Luton that season.
1991–92, Luton's last as a top flight club, saw James make 30 appearances, scoring twice. During 1992–93 he only missed three games all season, playing 44 times, and once again scoring two goals. James remained a rock in the centre of defence, and during 1993–94 also he played all but three games. James was ever-present as Luton made it to the semi-final of the FA Cup
, where they lost 2–0 to Chelsea
at Wembley Stadium.
By 1994–95, James was not only a regular in the team, but was considered, at the age of 24, one of the club's senior players. Three goals in 46 games saw James miss only four league games all year.
1995–96 saw another relegation, and when Terry Westley
froze him out of the team James nearly left the club. However, Lennie Lawrence
's arrival as manager brought James in from the cold, and James made 31 appearances that year.
James played 56 games during 1996–97, and was sent off twice – crucially, he was dismissed at Crewe Alexandra
in the first leg of the play-off semi-final. Luton went on to lose, and promotion was not achieved.
1997–98 proved to be the defender's last season with the club. After making 26 appearances, a reckless challenge from Barry Hayles
at Bristol Rovers
broke James's leg in two places. The closest James ever came to a return was a spell with non-League
Aylesbury United
.
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
.
Playing career
Julian James was spotted by Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
coach John Moore
John Moore (footballer)
John Moore is a Scottish former professional footballer, best known as a player for Luton Town.-Playing career:...
during the summer of 1987, playing local football with his home town team Tring Tornadoes. Moore organised a professional contract for the 17-year-old defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, and James signed for Luton soon after. He made his Luton Town debut on 7 May 1988, coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, and made two more substitute appearances during the 1987–88 season.
He made his first start on 2 November 1988, in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
, home of Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. James's debut was a personal disaster, as he was sent off midway through the second half – however, Luton went on to win the game 2–0. He only made one more appearance during the 1988–89 season.
1989–90 proved to be a breakthrough for James, as he started 22 games for the club. His fine performances did not go unnoticed – he earnt two caps for the England under-21s
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
.
Still only 20, he was loaned out to Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
at the start of 1990–91, and made six appearances. He returned to Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road Stadium is a football stadium in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. It has been home to Luton Town Football Club since 1905, when financial complications forced the club to leave its previous location at Dunstable Road...
and became Luton's regular centre back alongside John Dreyer
John Dreyer (footballer)
John Brian Dreyer is an English former professional footballer who played in defence and midfield. After retiring, he became a manager.-Playing career:...
, playing 25 times for Luton that season.
1991–92, Luton's last as a top flight club, saw James make 30 appearances, scoring twice. During 1992–93 he only missed three games all season, playing 44 times, and once again scoring two goals. James remained a rock in the centre of defence, and during 1993–94 also he played all but three games. James was ever-present as Luton made it to the semi-final of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, where they lost 2–0 to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
at Wembley Stadium.
By 1994–95, James was not only a regular in the team, but was considered, at the age of 24, one of the club's senior players. Three goals in 46 games saw James miss only four league games all year.
1995–96 saw another relegation, and when Terry Westley
Terry Westley
Terry Westley is an association football coach and manager. Until 2011 he was the Academy Director at Birmingham City.Westley previously worked at Rushden & Diamonds, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic, Luton Town and Derby County. At these clubs he was responsible for developing young players, who...
froze him out of the team James nearly left the club. However, Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
's arrival as manager brought James in from the cold, and James made 31 appearances that year.
James played 56 games during 1996–97, and was sent off twice – crucially, he was dismissed at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in the first leg of the play-off semi-final. Luton went on to lose, and promotion was not achieved.
1997–98 proved to be the defender's last season with the club. After making 26 appearances, a reckless challenge from Barry Hayles
Barry Hayles
Barrington Edward "Barry" Hayles is a footballer who plays for Conference South club Truro City as a striker, having previously played for Stevenage Borough, Bristol Rovers, Fulham, Sheffield United, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Cheltenham Town...
at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
broke James's leg in two places. The closest James ever came to a return was a spell with non-League
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
Aylesbury United
Aylesbury United F.C.
Aylesbury United are a football club based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Spartan South Midlands League, nicknamed the Ducks....
.