Jimmy Galt (1885 – 1935) Saltcoats-born footballer who played for Rangers. Wounded in combat in the First World War, survived and became a businessman post-war.
Jimmy Galt was born on the 11th of August 1885, in Saltcoats. It was here that he would embark upon a successful football career, starting at Stevenston in 1903, then Ardrossan Winton Rovers in 1904 and Ardeer Thistle in 1905. His displays in the Juniors for these clubs caught the eye of professional scouts and in the summer of 1906 he turned professional and signed for Rangers.
He quickly established himself at the club, playing at left-back and managing 25 games in his debut season. He would spend 8 years at Rangers, making 240 appearances and scoring 6 goals for the club. In those years he amassed 3 league winners medals and had also won two Glasgow Cups and a Charity Cup.
At the age of 29, he was the subject of a transfer offer from Everton which Rangers accepted and he headed south in 1914. He only managed one season in England before the First World War suspended football, however it was a very successful season. He made his debut in a win away to Tottenham where he captained the team and went on to make 32 appearances for Everton that season (and was captain for 25 of them), ultimately winning the league in the process.
Jimmy returned to Scotland and joined the Army Services Corps, later rising to the rank of second lieutenant in the Argyll and Southern Highlanders. He was sent to the front and was wounded in combat, suffering severe shellshock in the process. He was sent home to recuperate from his injuries.
Despite surviving the war, he was unable to properly return to football, despite very brief spells with Partick Thistle & Third Lanark.
Post-war he became a successful businessman, founded a number of popular billiard halls and founded James H. Galt ltd, a motor agents company. He was Vice-President of the Motor Agents Association and also Vice-President of the Scottish Centre of the Motor and Cycle Trades’ Benevolent Fund.
In his personal life, he was a member of the Scottish Flying Club and was an excellent Golfer, having almost won the Scottish Amateur Golf Championship.
On November 17th 1935, Jimmy Galt passed away at his home at Burnside Road, Whitecraigs, Giffnock. He was just 50.