Jim “Jimmy” Binning was a Scottish Footballer who played for Arbroath and Dumfries side Queen of the South.
Born on 21st December 1922 in Blantyre, he lived above Kelly’s Bar at number 10 Auchinraith Road. The son of James Binning, who rented that property.
His interest and passion in football started from an early age, living close to the local football ground at Blantyre Vics. It was little wonder that a career in football and sports awaited him.
By the time he was 20, he had been signed by Arbroath. From season 1948-49 until his departure Binning scored six goals in his 84 league games for Arbroath. Binning was a 1951 signing from Arbroath for Queen of the South. Half a century later another distinguished player would make the same journey, Jim Thomson. Binning gave Queens seven years service at full-back, playing 288 senior games for Queens.
When Binning arrived at Queens already there were Scotland cap Billy Houliston, goalkeeper Roy Henderson, fellow full back Dougie Sharpe and forward Jim Patterson (251 strikes makes Patterson the goals king of Queens). Goal scoring winger Bobby Black joined in 1952. At different levels all six would be selected to represent Scotland except Henderson who was selected six times as reserve goalkeeper. After winning the Scottish League ‘B’ division in 1951 Binning played in the early and mid-1950s period of Queens regular top division mid table finishes. This was under the management of Jimmy McKinnell Junior. He soon fell under an international spotlight.
Binning was recognised internationally when he was given a Scottish League XI cap in 1954, against the English League at Stamford Bridge. Although selected for the 22 man squad for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, the Scottish Football Association only budgeted to take 13 players (including only one goalkeeper) to the finals in Switzerland. Binning was one of the players who stayed at home on reserve with the likes of Bobby Combe and Ernie Copland. Ex-Queens inside forward George Hamilton did travel after Bobby Johnstone with drew through injury.
Jim passed away in the early 1990’s, we remember the talents and sporting accomplishment of this “son of Blantyre”.
Sources: Wikipedia and Michael Gillan.
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
Kevin Irving Lovley article about Jimmy. I hope you dint mind i would like to share this on a couple of FB pages. I am from Dumfries and a Qos FC fan living in Blantyre. Watch out for myself and my two boy’s wearing the queens strip aroun Blantyre.
Blantyre Project go for it! I like to see people outwith Blantyre sharing posts.
Sandy Duff Grew up watching Jimmy he was a no nonsense and great full back. A QOS great.
George Irving He was a great player I watching him play when I was at school he did not take any prisoner’s a great fullback