Jimmy Easson

James Ferrier Easson (3 January 1906 – 20 May 1983) was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward for Portsmouth in the English Football League, helping them reach the FA Cup Final in 1934. He also made three appearances for the Scotland national team.

Football career Easson was born in Brechin and played for various Scottish junior clubs, including Carnoustie and East Craigie before joining Dundee. Portsmouth's Scottish scouts recommended him to manager Jack Tinn and he came south in 1928.

He moved to the south coast of England in 1928 to join Portsmouth, then becoming established in the Football League First Division. He made his debut for the first-team in a 0–0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in May 1929, shortly after "Pompey" had been defeated in the 1929 FA Cup Final. This was followed a few days later by a match at The Dell against Southampton in the Hampshire Benevolent Cup. This match was played in torrential rain in front of the burnt out remains of the East Stand, which had been destroyed by fire four days earlier. Despite Easson's two goals, the "Saints" won the match 3–2.

Easson soon became a regular member of the Portsmouth side, replacing the ageing David Watson at inside-left and forming a useful partnership with Jack Weddle. He soon showed his scoring ability, with five goals in his first ten games. but they realised their mistake when the records were checked for Easson's birthplace. followed by a match against Switzerland a week later, when Easson scored the opening goal in a 3–2 victory.

Despite his "frail and small appearance", he became one of the most feared inside forwards in the First Division and his partnership with Weddle made the pair feared throughout the league in the early 1930s. In 1931–32, Easson netted another hat-trick, missed only two games and scored 21 league goals, regularly scoring two in a match to establish himself as a firm favourite at Fratton Park.

Easson played in the 1934 FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester City at Wembley and stayed at Fratton Park until March 1939 when he joined Fulham. By now, he had lost his place at inside-left to Bert Barlow; his last game for Portsmouth ended identically to the first, against Manchester United with a 0–0 scoreline in December 1938.

After the war, he returned to Fratton Park as a trainer, During his first spell as a trainer, Easson twice helped guide Portsmouth to the Football League championship: As a result, Kelly was immediately placed on the transfer-list and never played for the "Saints" again.

Easson returned to Fratton Park for the 1957–58 season.