Methven, Jimmy - A Derby County legend

A rare colour portrait of Jimmy Methven and his family in the early 1890s

JAMES 'JIMMY' METHVEN was a Scottish association football player born in Ceres, Fife, on 7 December 1868. As both a player and manager at Derby County he gave 31 years continous service to the club and is considered one of the Rams all-time legends.

A robust right-back, he played a remarkable 511 games (1891-1906) and took part in all three of Derby County's early FA Cup Final appearances. On retiring as a player in 1906 he became manager, staying in the position until 1922. He was in charge for 498 games, and overall was involved in some capacity in over 1,000 Derby County matches.

His marriage to Agnes McPhail produced nine children. Bobby, on his father’s knee, fought in the First World War with the Sherwood Foresters. After losing an eye in conflict, he became a travel clerk with Thomas Cook and died in Derby in 1923.

Willie, on his mother’s knee, married Derby girl Ethel Price and moved to the south coast, where he prospered in business and lived until 1983.

Jimmy Junior (1890-1964), in the sailor suit, played one game for the Rams in 1913. He fought in the First World War, became a chef and never married. The sturdy girl at centre-back is Euphemia, known as “Phemie”. She married Derby man John Murby but was long a widow.

Until her death in Derby in 1960, she is thought to have kept a shop in Peet Street.

Another son Harold (1908-87), not pictured, played nine games at centre-forward for the South Derbyshire team Gresley Rovers and was later a professional with Portsmouth, Scunthorpe and Mansfield Town.

Jimmy Methven died in Derby on 25 March 1953 at the age of 84. He is buried in the cemetery on Stenson Road, near Sunny Hill and Littleover, on the outskirts of Derby.

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