Jimmy Leadbetter

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James Hunter "Jimmy" Leadbetter (born 15 July 1928, died 18 July 2006) [1] was a Scottish footballer who is most notable for his achievements as a left-winger with Ipswich Town during the 1950s and 1960s.

He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 15 July 1928, as the son of a local garage owner. He was a pupil at Balgreen Primary School, where he was six years above Dave Mackay.

Leadbetter played for several non-league clubs in the immediate postwar years before signing for Chelsea in 1949. He failed to claim a regular place in the first team, playing just three games in as many years, before signing for Brighton and Hove Albion.

He was a regular player at the Goldstone Ground and achieved a one-in-four goal-per-game ratio, which saw him established as one of the best wingers outside the First Division.

Alf Ramsey signed him for Ipswich Town, then in the Football League Third Division (South), in 1955. He continued his fine form at Portman Road and helped Ipswich win the division title in 1957, claiming promotion to the Second Division. In 1961, Leadbetter helped Ipswich claim promotion to the First Division, just 23 years after joining the Football League.

In their first season in the top flight, Ipswich were champions of the Football League, but Alf Ramsey left within months to take charge of the England team. His successor Jackie Milburn was unable to maintain Ipswich's form, and in 1964 they were relegated back to the Second Division.

Leadbetter retired in 1964, his final season as a player coinciding with Ipswich's relegation in a season where they conceded a league record of 122 goals. Although approaching 34, he was still one of the most difficult players to play against in the English league. He had scored 49 goals in 373 games for Ipswich over a period of seven years, and is recognised as one of the club's all-time greats.

He later managed non-league Sudbury Town, and returned to his native Edinburgh in 1986. For the next 20 years, he delivered free newspapers.

Leadbetter died on 18 July 2006, three days after his 78th birthday. He was survived by his wife and daughter.