Back in January 1975, a rather portly figure made his debut for East Fife in a Second Division game at Bayview. His somewhat shall we say, wobbly performance at left-half was repeated a week later in the uncauldron-like atmosphere of Firs Park, whereupon common-sense prevailed and he was dropped from the team.
Nothing unusual, one might have through at the time, except the name of Jim George was to become a constant fixture in East Fife's team for more than four years and, like a bad wine, he did not improve with age. The fact that he was consistently selected by three different managers adds fuel to my theory that Jim George's time at Bayview was in some mysterious way, interwoven with the spiritual destiny of East Fife Football Club and possibly mankind itself.
You see, dear friends, if we consider the evidence that I am about to place before you, then it will become apparent that Jim George was completely incompetent as a footballer - yet was strangely, almost habitually, given the task of filling (which he managed very well) the number six shirt for East Fife F.C.
Let us look at Jim George in person. The most immediately striking aspect was obviously his physical bulk. He was, how can one put it, carrying a few extra pounds? A trifle stout? Let's not beat about the bush. Jim George was fat. He was probably the biggest gutbucket seen at Bayview since Johnny "Geronimo" Walker was let out of his cage to rampage down the enclosure side one surreal 1971 Saturday afternoon. But hold on, I hear you cry, Jim George was not the first footballer with a beer belly. What about Puskas, Baxter, Joe Harper, Derek Johnstone? All this is true, which brings me to my second point.
So the mystery deepens. Why did three successive managers - Christie, Barry, and Clarke - put their faith in the man? Why was he never dropped when he should have been (from a great height)? As I hinted at earlier, I believe that Jim George was sent from the heavens to fulfill some spiritual mission, that we as human beings cannot comprehend. I believe that Jim George was selected unconsciously to play for East Fife and I believe that his spiritual mission was completed at Bayview Park, Methil on Saturday February 3rd 1979 at an East Fife v Stenhousemuir league match.
On this day, at approximately 3.25pm, Jim George scored a goal. Now don't misunderstand me, this was not Jim George's first goal, he scored several times before, mostly admittedly in his own net - but until this afternoon they were of the massed scramble nature - culminating in the ball ricocheting over the line and the "let's award the goal to Jim George" mentality prevailing. This particular afternoon was different. 886 fans and 21 players were stunned when, without warning, Jim George abandoned his wallowing hippopotomus routine and embarked upon a solo run, resulting in a thirty yard piledriver into the roof of the net.
The feeling of that moment (so obviously significant in some higher realm) can only be compared to the moment in "Sleeping Beauty" when the Princess is kissed and the whole palace is thus awakened and normality is restored.
Needless to say, Jim George returned to his former self, only this time (his destiny apparently fulfilled) he was left out of the team within a few weeks and by the end of the season given a free transfer. And what became of him then? I only know that he suddenly appeared in the guise of manager of Dumbarton F.C. in the eighties and then vanished off the face of the Earth.
Jim George was a very poor player indeed. Subjective criticism you might claim. Maybe - so shall we be positive and consider the man's qualities. Where did Jim George shine? Did he have pace? No, he was overweight and consequently laboured throughout the ninety minutes, after which he would hobble, purple faced, to the dressing room. Was he an inspiration to younger players? Probably not, although perhaps in the pub after the game. Did he have the ability to put his foot on the ball, slow the game down, and dictate the pace? i) no ii) no, he slowed East Fife down iii) no. Could he tackle? No, unless we are talking about fish suppers.
by ANGUSFIFER