Remembering Former R’s Player James Lofthouse
Former Rangers winger, James Lofthouse passed away on this day in 1954. The following article later appeared in the Wokingham Times:
‘The death occurred last week after a short illness of Mr James Lofthouse, High Street, Crowthorne, formerly a well-known professional footballer.
Jimmy Lofthouse was a native of St. Helen’s, Lancashire, and started his football career in the Lancashire Combination.
In 1911 he signed for Reading FC as a professional and played in the first team until he joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment, in which he served throughout the 1914-18 war, attaining the rank of sergeant.
On demobilisation in 1919, he rejoined the Reading club and played for a season before being transferred to Sheffield Wednesday, where he spent three seasons as the first team left-winger.
After a short spell on loan to Rotherham United, he was transferred to Bristol Rovers where he stayed for three seasons before moving to Queen’s Park Rangers.
Just before he went into business, he assisted Aldershot FC on occasions.
On his retirement from football, Mr Lofthouse became landlord of “The Retreat” public house in Reading, and after several years went to Crowthorne to manage the Wellington Hotel Tap.
After a time as steward of the Wokingham Club, he returned to Crowthorne to take over the fish and chip business in the High Street, of which he was the proprietor at the time of his death.
The funeral service, which was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. C. Nugee, took place at Crowthorne Parish Church on Monday of this week.’
Jimmy was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, on 24th March 1894.
He joined Reading in May 1913 and assisted Manchester United during the Great War.
In the summer of 1920, Jimmy renewed his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday before moving to Rotherham in February 1923.
At the end of the year, he joined Bristol Rovers and QPR came in for him in May 1926.
Jimmy made his Rangers debut a few months later at Crystal Palace on 28th August.
After making 81 appearances and scoring 27 goals, Jimmy moved on to Aldershot two years later.
James Lofthouse: 24th March 1894 -15th July 1954.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for his assistance. The above image was taken from the 1927/28 Handbook)