Jim Sanders

Goalkeeper Jim was on the books of Charlton Athletic when war broke out in 1939 and played around 50 wartime games for the South London side, whilst serving in the RAF. During the war Jim, who was an air gunner, was invalided out of the RAF after suffering life-threatening injuries. Jim defied the doctors who said he would never play football again. After the war he joined West Brom and played 364 games for the Baggies, despite not making his debut until the age of 26. He helped Albion to promotion to Division One in 1949 and was first choice for most of his time at the Hawthorns.

The highlight of his career came when he gained an FA Cup winners medal after helping Albion to a 3-2 victory over Preston North End. He had lost his place to Norman Heath earlier in the season but when Heath suffered a severe spinal injury in March 1954 Jim was recalled as the Baggies went close to winning the League and Cup double with arguably their finest post-war team.

Jim was a consistent but unspectacular keeper who developed a reputation for saving penalties, preventing some 25 during his twenty-year career.

In August 1958, at the age of 38, he signed for Coventry on a free transfer and was first choice keeper as City started their only ever campaign in Division 4. Tragically after only ten games Jim broke his right leg in an innocent clash with an Aldershot player in a 7-1 City win. His injury prompted a goalkeeping crisis at Highfield Road and 41-year old trainer Alf Wood was pushed into action.

Jim never played for City again, joining Hinckley Athletic in 1959 before retiring the following year. After leaving the game he became a licensee, first in Derby, then later in Birmingham. He settled in Tamworth and regularly visited the Hawthorns to see his beloved Baggies.

Penalties faced (1)
1958-59
26 August 1958 v Oldham Athletic A, scored