Jim Bellamy


James Francis Bellamy was an English football player and manager who played as right half or outside right for a number of clubs in the Football League, including Woolwich Arsenal, Burnley and Fulham. He also played in Scotland, winning the Scottish Cup with Dundee in 1910.
Bellamy went on to coach in various European countries, such as Germany, Italy with Brescia Calcio, and Spain with FC Barcelona.

Early life

Bellamy was born in Bethnal Green, Middlesex, on 11 September 1881.

Playing career

Bellamy began his career in non-League football with Barking, Grays United and Reading. He then joined Woolwich Arsenal in May 1903, making his first team debut in 1905. Altogether he made a sum of twenty nine league appearances for the Gunners, scoring four times in all. He was transferred to Portsmouth in 1907, and also played for Norwich City before joining Dundee in May 1908. He was part of the Dundee team that won the 1910 Scottish Cup Final against Clyde. After a goalless draw, Bellamy scored Dundee's first goal as they won the replay 2–1.
Bellamy left Dundee in May 1912, when he was transferred to Motherwell. He returned to England shortly afterwards, joining Burnley in October 1912. He then signed for Fulham in July 1914.
Bellamy later played for Dundee Hibernian during the 1917–18 season, and also played for Southend United and Ebbw Vale before ending his career at Barking Town.

Management career

After retiring as a player, Bellamy began a coaching career in Europe. He had jobs in Germany and managed Brescia in the Italian Football Championship from 1926 to 1928 before going to Spain. On 26 March 1929, Bellamy was appointed as the manager of Barcelona, succeeding Romà Forns. At the time he took up the helm of the side, Barcelona were placed eight at five points off the top. Bellamy eventually took the club to their first ever La Liga title as they finished three points ahead of second placed Athletic Bilbao. Bellamy's stay at the Nou Camp saw him lift a Catalan football championship title in 1909. As so he was at the helm during Barcelona's record 1–12 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in February 1931.
During that 1930–31 season he also saw Barca to win another Catalan championship title.
Returning to England, Bellamy was appointed coach of Barking Town in February 1933, but was dismissed three months later. He later claimed for wrongful dismissal, but lost in court.

After football

Bellamy died at Chadwell Heath, London, on 30 March 1969.

Honours

As a player

Dundee
Barcelona