Jim Arnold

James Alexander Arnold (born 6 August 1950) is an English former football goalkeeper, noted for his highly intelligent positional ability. He made 165 league appearances in a seven-year career in the English Football League.

He arrived in the professional game in 1979, at the late age of 29, when he signed with Blackburn Rovers from Stafford Rangers. Two years, one promotion out of the Third Division, and 58 league appearances later, he moved on to Everton. He spent four years as Everton's back-up keeper, as the club won the First Division title and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He was loaned out to Preston North End during the 1982–83 campaign and signed with Port Vale in August 1985. Voted the club's Player of the Year in 1985–86, he announced his retirement from full-time football in November 1986. He did, though, later turn out for non-League sides Kidderminster Harriers, Rocester and Workington. He won the FA Trophy with Stafford Rangers and Kidderminster Harriers. A useful cricketer, Arnold played for Staffordshire side Church Eaton (previously Glebelands) as an all rounder. During his professional football career he would play under an assumed name as Howard Kendall had banned him from playing cricket.

Career Early career After leaving Rising Brook, Arnold played for non-League Stafford Rangers and also appeared on loan for the Sandbach Ramblers. During his time at Stafford Rangers, he appeared in two separate FA Trophy finals at Wembley. In 1976, Stafford lost to Scarborough 3–2 after extra time; Arnold saved a John Woodhall penalty in this match. In the 1979 final, Arnold played as Stafford beat Kettering Town 2–0. He was signed by Blackburn Rovers manager Howard Kendall in 1979 to provide competition for John Butcher and went on to make his Football League debut at the age of 29. Arnold kept a club record 19 clean sheets in 1979–80, as Rovers won promotion out of the Third Division as runners-up, with only the top two clubs in the English Football League, Liverpool and Manchester United, conceding fewer than 36 league goals. Despite Arnold missing three months with a groin injury,

Port Vale Arnold signed for Port Vale in August 1985. He had been looking for a job in sport and recreation management until manager John Rudge talked him into joining as a player. He played 52 games in 1985–86, and conceded just 37 league goals as the "Valiants" won promotion out of the Fourth Division. For his performances he was awarded the club's Player of the Year award. He did though return to Vale Park on a non-contract basis in September 1986 after Mark Grew picked up a knee injury; this crisis was resolved in November 1986, when Vale signed Alex Williams, and so Arnold stepped down once more, having played 15 games of the 1986–87 campaign.

Career statistics

Honours Individual Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year: 1985–86

Stafford Rangers FA Trophy: 1979; runner-up: 1976

Blackburn Rovers Football League Third Division second-place promotion: 1979–80

Everton FA Charity Shield: 1984 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1985

Port Vale Football League Fourth Division fourth-place promotion: 1985–86

Kidderminster Harriers FA Trophy: 1987