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The youngest of the three Milburn brothers who played for Leeds,
Jim started his career with Ashington, and didn't get a match for
three years after he signed for Leeds. When he did, it was the last
game before war broke out and although he made a large number of
wartime appearances for the club when he was home from active
service, it wasn't until the resumption of normal football - nearly
10 years after he signed for Leeds - that Jim found himself in the
side regularly. He took on the mantle of penalty taker from brother
Jack and was even used as a centre-forward towards the end of his
time at Leeds (this was before they had realised that John Charles
might be quite useful in that position). He went on to enjoy three
good seasons with Bradford Park Avenue before retiring from the
professional game in 1955. He died in 1985.
Peter Moore says: I well remember Jimmy Milburn playing for
Leeds United, during and after the 2nd World War. One game in
particular stands out against Middlesboro at home. Leeds were three
nil down in the second half, and they moved Jimmy to centre forward
and in no time the score was 3-3 thanks to his hat trick the game
ended in a draw. His older brothers Jack and George played in the
same as my late father (Stan Moore) in the 1930's, and are all of
course related to Jack and Bobby Charlton.
Tom Charlton says: Jimmy Milburn was my uncle and like me was
the youngest brother of famous brothers. I remember him best from
when he brought his family to Ashington to stay with us during the
close season.He was arweally nice man and was always smiling. the
thing I recall was that he was literally covered in hair!!! except
for his head of course,a very common trait in the families.He had
hair all the way down to the ends of his fingers and I always
thought he resembled a gorilla,that is to my childish eyes as I was
only 5 or 6 years old. I also remember his broken nose, a standard
accoutrement of a defender in those days. I liked my uncle
Jimmy.
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