Sixties idol passes away
Another Workington hero from the sixties has passed away with the death of Jimmy Moran recently announced, just weeks before his 85th birthday.
Ask any senior Reds supporter who their favourite player of all time was, I’m sure the majority would offer you the name of Jimmy Moran. A playmaker in the true sense of the word, he could also rough it, tough it and score goals – a gem of an inside left who was a number 10 before they became fashionable.
Born in North Lanarkshire in March, 1935, Jimmy started his career with Wishaw Juniors before signing for Leicester City in the mid-fifties. He would then spend four seasons with Norwich City followed by spells with Northampton Town and Darlington.
It was from the latter that he joined Workington in July 1963 and, a few weeks later, he made scoring appearances in his first two pre-season outings for the club.
His full debut was at Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day of the 1963-64 campaign and he helped Reds get off to a winning start. He remained an ever-present in the promotion winning team, playing in all 46 Fourth Division matches plus seven cup ties.
He netted his first Workington League goal against Barrow and was also on target against Darlington at the Feethams when he returned to play his former club. He netted 21 League goals for the Reds including two in each of the big wins against Swansea Town during the ’64-65 season.
Jimmy’s only goal in sixteen League Cup appearances was in the 9-1 trouncing of Barrow. He was more ‘prolific’ in the FA Cup with his seven goals including the one at Bolton Wanderers in a Third Round tie at Burnden Park.
In total, he made 122 appearances for the team in his three seasons at Borough Park with exactly 100 of those matches in the League. He scored 29 (league and cup) goals during his time with the club.
He never managed a competitive hat-trick for Workington but he did score three in Keith Burkinshaw’s benefit game at Borough Park.
Injury curtailed his professional career but he successfully switched to non-league where he played for, and managed, several clubs in the East Anglia area including the likes of Great Yarmouth Town, Gorleston and Lowestoft Town.
He made several visits to Borough Park over the years, often when on his way to, or from, Scotland and was always treated like Royalty from people who probably hadn’t seen him play.
Our condolences go to Jimmy’s family and friends.
RIP
