It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:11 am



Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
 Johnny LEATHEM 1935-1941 
Author Message

Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:29 pm
Posts: 591
STATS BY LEVIN

Name: John "Johnny" Leathem

Nickname: "Jack The Hack"


Image

Country: :NIR: Northern Ireland
Club: Belfast Celtic
Position: *DMF, CMF, AMF, SS
Side: RF/BS
Age: 23-29 years (??/??/1912)

Height: 181 cm
Weight: 79 kg

Attack: 73
Defence: 78
Balance: 82
Stamina: 81
Top Speed: 80
Acceleration: 76
Response: 81
Agility: 75
Dribble Accuracy: 79
Dribble Speed: 75
Short Pass Accuracy: 81
Short Pass Speed: 76
Long Pass Accuracy: 80
Long Pass Speed: 77
Shot Accuracy: 71
Shot Power: 82
Shot Technique: 73
Free Kick Accuracy: 65
Curling: 66
Header: 85
Jump: 84
Technique: 79
Aggression: 68
Mentality: 83
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 80

Injury Tolerance: A
Condition/Fitness: 7
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 7
Growth Type: Standard/Lasting


CARDS:
-

SPECIAL ABILITIES: -

Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced


INFO:

An extremely versatile player, Johnny Leathem could play anywhere across the half-back line as well as at inside-left – he even played a couple of games for Dundalk as ‘keeper.

Spotted playing with local Junior side Gilford Crusaders in the early-‘thirties, it was Glenavon who pipped Belfast Celtic to Leathem’s signature. He lasted only a short time at Mourneview before joining a Glentoran side regularly shipping goals and desperate for some defensive mettle. Within just a few months of his arrival at the Oval he claimed an Irish Cup winners medal. It took three matches to see off Distillery (1-1, 1-1, 3-1), with Leathem at left-half in the first two games and inside-left in the decider. Two years later he claimed his second winner’s medal in the Blue Riband final, another marathon of matches, all at left-half, were required to see off Larne (0-0, 0-0, 1-0).

In 1936 Leathem signed for Belfast Celtic as Elisha Scott sought to re-invigorate his side. At Paradise he slotted into the centre-half position as five consecutive League titles were claimed, together with three Irish Cups and every other trophy available. In January 1940 Celtic dished out a 13-0 hammering to Glenavon, Peter O’Connor scoring eleven and Charlie McIlroy and Leathem claiming one-a-piece. It was only the emergence of Jack Vernon that forced Leathem out of the centre-half position, and even then he simply returned to the left-half berth. Eventually Scott decided that Leathem was surplus to requirements, and in the summer of 1941 he joined Dundalk.

Immediately popular with all at Dundalk, Leathem proved a very consistent and reliable player, seldom missing a game. In his first season with the Railwaymen he played at centre-half in a 3-1 FAI Cup Final win over Cork United (Dundalk’s first success in that competition) and in the 1-0 Inter-City Cup Final win over Shamrock Rovers. Both Glentoran and Belfast Celtic were dispatched on the way to the Final of the first ever North-South competition.

The 1942/43 season brought another early success, Leathem scoring in an early round hammering of Bray Unknowns as the City Cup was claimed thanks to a 4-2 Final win over Drumcondra. Dundalk also ran close to a League success, finishing runners-up, just a point behind champions, Cork United. Leathem was rewarded with selection for the Inter-League matches against the Northern Regional League for his efforts. In the first match the North won 1-0 at Dalymount Park and in the return fixture at Windsor Park Leathem scored in a 2-2 draw.

Success eluded Dundalk for the remainder of Leathem’s time at Oriel Park, with his appearances as stand-in ‘keeper for the injured Gerry Matier an interesting footnote. Also a useful cricketer, Leathem regularly knocked up centuries for Lurgan CC.


Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:28 pm
Profile

Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:29 pm
Posts: 591
Updated.


Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:46 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 2 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Designed by ST Software for PTF.