Jimmy McAnearney: 1935-2017

A slightly-built player blessed with great vision, Jimmy was the brains of the Argyle attack in the Second Division side of the early 1960s. He supplied strikers Wilf Carter and George Kirby with numerous goals after arriving at Home Park from Sheffield Wednedsay, as well as contributing a fair few strikes himself.

 

He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut, a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough at Home Park in January 1960.

 

It is poignant to remember this season that, two months later, he also became one of the few Argyle players to have scored against Liverpool at Anfield, when his goal saw the Pilgrims come away from Merseyside with a 1-1 draw.

 

His most prolific season was 1961-62, when nine of his 11 goals came in a 14-game spell in the middle of the campaign.

 

He left Argyle for Watford in 1963 and finished his career with Bradford City, before dipping his toes into management with Rotherham United and Scarborough.

 

On behalf of Pilgrims everywhere, everyone at Home Park sends their condolences to the family and friends of Jimmy.

 

Once a Pilgrim...