James Joseph Lang – Scottish Professor or Sheffield Professional?
James Joseph Lang, was born in Glasgow in March 1851. When only 18 and while working in a Glasgow shipyard, Lang lost an eye, becoming officially blind. He kept this quiet during his football playing days, I suspect to avoid affecting his chances of team selection.
Due to his red hair, Lang picked up the playing nickname of ‘Reddie’. He had an early distinguish playing career in Glasgow joining two well regarded clubs, Clydesdale & later 3rd Lanark. He notably played in the very first Scottish Cup final for Clydesdale only losing out to the mighty Queens Park in 1874.
Jimmy Lang’s north of the border performances must have impressed Sheffield visitors and by November (possibly as early as October) 1876 Lang was in Sheffield playing for Sheffield Wednesday. He lived on Eldon Street while in living in Sheffield.
Lang played regularly for the Glasgow representative side against Sheffield. In April 1876 he also played against Sheffield Wednesday in a side that included both Clegg brothers, Hunter & Mosforth. The match was played at Kinnning Park and Lang played for Clydesdale. In addition, Lang was also a Scottish international making his first appearance in March 1876.
Lang returned to Scotland in October 1877 to rejoin 3rd Lanark but travelled back down to Sheffield regularly for important Wednesday matches. Living between both Glasgow & Sheffield continued right up to 1883 when Lang moved across the Pennines to join clubs in Lancashire & Cheshire, probably discouraged by Sheffield’s persistence with amateurism.
Jimmy Lang certainly moved to Sheffield long term to play football for money and not simply to pass on his knowledge of the game south of the border. He was employed by Sheffield Wednesday Cricket Club’s Vice Chairman & Sheffield Wednesday FC Committee member Walter Fearnehough who owned a knife making firm on Garden Street in Sheffield. Lang’s energies in Sheffield however where very much football focused and not on visiting Feanehough’s works as an employee. He was in the town to play football not make knifes.
Lang eventually returned to Scotland and ended his football days as a match day steward at Rangers. He died in Glasgow in 1929.
In answer to the question Scottish Professor or Sheffield Professional, well for me both. However, he moved primarily for money to play football so more a professional than a professor.
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Source: Steve Wood
