James Bone is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played as a striker. Following his playing retirement he moved into coaching and has managed a number of Scottish League clubs.
Playing career
Early career
Despite attending rugby union-playing Stirling High School, Bone developed a keen interest in football, through representative games with his local boys brigade. He began his professional career with Partick Thistle, whom he joined from junior side Airth Castle Rovers in 1968 and spent four seasons with the Jags. During this time they suffered their first relegation from the First Division since season 1900-01, finishing bottom of the table in 1969–70. However, the next season Bone was an integral part of the side that won the Second Division title and instant promotion back to the top flight. He earned another, unexpected, medal in 1971–72 when Partick won the Scottish League Cup by beating the overwhelming favourites Celtic. Celtic were the reigning League champions and had been European Cup finalists only two years earlier but Bone's 37th-minute goal helped Partick to a 4–0 halftime lead, the Jags eventually winning 4–1.
Bone made further moves to Celtic and Arbroath in 1974 and 1975 respectively. He stayed with the Red Lichties for three seasons but his consistent scoring was not enough to gain them promotion to the new Premier Division, following the league reconstruction of 1975–76. In January 1978 Bone became one of Alex Ferguson's last signings as St Mirren manager, moving to the Paisley club for £25,000. He was appointed captain by Ferguson's successor, Jim Clunie, and helped the side to victory in the Anglo-Scottish Cup and qualification for the UEFA Cup in the 1979–80 season. He moved to Hong Kong Rangers in 1981 and returned to Britain with Hearts in August 1983. Bone was one of several veterans in the Hearts team and as a result the side was caustically dubbed Dad's Army. However, the recently promoted side performed above expectations, finishing fifth in the League and qualifying for European competition. Bone scored several important goals, including the winner as Hearts defeated derby rivals Hibernian at Tynecastlefor the first time in ten years. The following year he notched the side's 6,000th League goal. He left to take up the role of player-manager at Arbroath in February 1985.
Managerial career
Bone stayed with Arbroath for almost two years before moving to another former club St Mirren, as Alex Smith'sassistant manager in December 1986. The side won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 28 years that season, while maintaining a safe position in the Premier Division. He left the Paisley side in April 1988 following a public dispute with striker Frank McGarvey. After a brief stint coaching with Dundee United he returned to management with First Division Airdrie, where he stayed until 1991. He spent a year in charge of Zambian side Power Dynamos FC, where he won the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1991, before returning to St Mirren as manager. In four seasons he was unable to gain promotion with the Saints and eventually resigned in 1996. He spent one season as East Fife's manager before becoming assistant to Jocky Scott at Dundee.In 2000, he coached South African premier league side Wits University F.C. now called Bidvest Wits. Bone was appointed Stenhousemuir's manager in 2001 but again his tenure lasted only one season. He served as Alex Smith's assistant at Ross County between 2002 and 2004, before Dick Campbell made him his assistant at Partick Thistle in 2005. When Campbell was sacked in March 2007, Bone assumed the role of caretaker manager for the last two months of the season. He left Partick after their appointment of Ian McCall as manager on 25 May 2007. The following December he moved south of the border to assist fellow Scotsman Bobby Williamson at Chester City but left the position just two months later after a poor run of form.
