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Jimmy Case
Jimmy Case
Jimmy Case
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James Robert Case (born 18 May 1954) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He gained national prominence with Liverpool in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Case was brought up in Allerton and was a distant neighbour of musician Paul McCartney on the council estate which had been built in the interwar years.[3]

Case was also training to become an electrician, working all day but training with Liverpool two mornings and two nights a week.[4]

Playing career

[edit]

Liverpool

[edit]

Case arrived at Anfield from local non-league club South Liverpool in May 1973 and was given his debut on 26 April 1975 in a league fixture at Anfield against Queens Park Rangers; goals from John Toshack (2), and Kevin Keegan made it a winning start for Case as the Reds won 3–1. By 1976 he was a first-choice midfielder who was a prolific goalscorer for someone in his position; his first goal for the club came in the 68th minute of the 3–2 league win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on 23 August 1975. At the end of his first full season, he helped Liverpool to victory in the League championship and the UEFA Cup, scoring in the first leg of the final of the latter against FC Bruges.

Case maintained his place the following year (1976–77) as Liverpool chased a unique treble of League Championship, FA Cup and European Cup. They were league champions for the second season in a row, but lost in the 1977 FA Cup Final to Manchester United 2–1. Case was the scorer of Liverpool's goal shortly after their opponents had taken the lead; it was a typical Case goal, a thundering shot from outside the penalty area following a neat turn on the ball. He was in the team again a few days later when Liverpool won the 1977 European Cup Final, beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 in Rome.

Case won both the League (1978–79, 1979–80) and the European Cup twice more (1978 against Club Brugge in the final, 1981 against Real Madrid) with Liverpool, and added a League Cup winners' medal in 1981 (against West Ham United in the final), but in that season he found himself out of favour. Manager Bob Paisley was concerned by Case's close friendship with fellow midfielder Ray Kennedy, with the two regularly embroiled in off-the-pitch escapades—culminating in their both being charged with assault in the spring of 1980[5][6]—and with the emergence of Sammy Lee on the right side of midfield, made the difficult decision to offload Case. Paisley transferred him to Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 1981.

Case was voted No. 45 in the 2006 poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop taken by the Official Liverpool Football Club website in which over 110,000 fans worldwide nominated their personal Top 10 players.

Brighton

[edit]

Case joined Brighton in August 1981 as a £450,000 makeweight when Mark Lawrenson went the other way and he played a large part in the success achieved at the Goldstone Ground in the early 1980s.

With Brighton, Case scored the winning goal at Anfield in the 5th round of the 1983 FA Cup, also scoring in the quarter and semi finals as the Albion reached the final for the only time to date. The game ended 2–2 with Brighton passing up a great opportunity to win the cup when Gordon Smith hit a shot directly at United keeper Gary Bailey, who pulled off a spectacular save. Brighton's chance of glory had gone, and they were crushed 4–0 in the replay. They had already been relegated from the First Division in bottom place. In spite of this setback, Case remained at the Goldstone Ground for nearly two years after the Seagulls were relegated, including a further FA Cup victory over Liverpool in January 1984.

Southampton

[edit]

In March 1985, Case moved to Southampton for a nominal fee of £30,000 as Lawrie McMenemy's last signing for The Saints, to replace Steve Williams, who had been transferred to Arsenal in December 1984. He soon won over any doubters amongst The Dell fans with some robust tackling. In his first few weeks at the club, they finished fifth in the league, but were then denied UEFA Cup qualification due to the subsequent ban on English clubs in European competitions, which followed the Heysel Disaster that year.

When McMenemy quit after the end of the season, Case was appointed club captain by new manager Chris Nicholl.

In his first full season, Saints reached the semi-final of the FA Cup (after beating Case's former club Brighton 2–0 in the quarter-final) losing to Liverpool in an epic game at White Hart Lane on 5 April 1986, which Liverpool won 2–0 after extra time with both goals coming from Ian Rush. Victory would have made Case the first player to appear in three FA Cup finals with different clubs.

Over his six years at The Dell, Case lost none of his bite in the tackle and he made up for any loss of pace by a broadening vision and excellent passing skills. Even in his mid thirties, he was still among the most highly regarded midfielders in the First Division.

He was Saints player of the year for 1989–90 and in December 1990 was selected to represent the Football League against the Irish League. In this season Saints finished seventh in the First Division and Saints were playing at close to their best. One particularly memorable match was on 21 October 1989, when Saints defeated Liverpool 4–1, with goals from Paul Rideout, Rod Wallace (2) and Matthew Le Tissier in which Case controlled the midfield as The Saints humiliated Case's former club. During his time at The Dell, however, he did not add any major trophies to his list of honours won at Liverpool.

Case played in midfield alongside Glenn Cockerill and Barry Horne and helped to bring on the careers of exciting young players such as Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, Rod Wallace and Jason Dodd. Ian Branfoot succeeded Nicholl as manager in June 1991, and considered that the club could dispense with Case's services and he was transferred to AFC Bournemouth within a few days of Branfoot's appointment, a decision that proved very unpopular with the Saints fans, especially when Case was replaced by the unsuccessful Terry Hurlock, and was one of the key reasons that Branfoot was an unpopular figure with the club's supporters during his two and a half years in charge.

AFC Bournemouth, Halifax Town, Wrexham & Brighton again

[edit]

He moved on to join Harry Redknapp at Bournemouth and managed to play 40 league games in the 1991–92 season, and was playing in the Third Division for the first time in his whole career.

After a season at Bournemouth, he moved to Halifax Town managed by John McGrath assisted by Frank Worthington. He played there for 6 months, before moving on to Wrexham, where he helped them gain promotion from Division Three at the end of the 1992–93 season, while Halifax fell into the GM Vauxhall Conference.

He then turned out for non-league side Sittingbourne until returning to Brighton in December 1993, firstly as a player/coach before taking over from Liam Brady as manager in November 1995. He was still playing that season, and at the age of 41 was the oldest outfield player registered with any Premier League or Football League club at the time. 46-year-old goalkeeper Peter Shilton (with Coventry City and West Ham United) was the only senior player older than Case at this time, and Shilton's failure to make any competitive appearances that campaign meant that Case was the oldest "active" senior player in England during the season.

He finally announced his retirement from playing on 10 November 1995.[7]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool
1974–75[8] First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
1975–76[9] First Division 27 6 2 0 1 1 9[a] 5 — 39 12
1976–77[10] First Division 27 1 7 4 1 0 6[b] 2 1[c] 0 42 7
1977–78[11] First Division 33 5 0 0 8 2 9[d] 4 1[c] 0 51 11
1978–79[12] First Division 37 7 6 1 1 0 4[e] 1 — 48 9
1979–80[13] First Division 37 3 5 1 7 0 2[b] 1 1[c] 0 52 5
1980–81[14] First Division 24 1 2 1 4 0 5[b] 0 1[c] 0 36 2
Total 186 23 22 7 22 3 35 13 4 0 269 46
Brighton & Hove Albion
1981–82[15] First Division 33 3 2 1 3 0 — — 38 4
1982–83[15] First Division 35 3 8 4 1 0 — — 44 7
1983–84[15] Second Division 35 4 2 0 2 0 — — 39 4
1984–85[15] Second Division 24 0 2 0 2 0 — — 28 0
Total 127 10 14 5 8 0 0 0 0 0 149 15
Southampton
1984–85[16] First Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 — — 10 1
1985–86[16] First Division 36 2 6 0 6 0 — 2[f] 0 50 2
1986–87[16] First Division 39 3 0 0 8 1 — 2[g] 1 49 5
1987–88[16] First Division 38 0 1 0 2 0 — — 41 0
1988–89[16] First Division 34 0 2 0 7 1 — 2[g] 0 45 1
1989–90[16] First Division 33 3 3 0 7 0 — — 43 3
1990–91[16] First Division 25 1 3 1 4 0 — — 32 2
Total 215 10 15 1 34 2 0 0 6 1 270 14
Bournemouth 1991–92[17] Third Division 40 1 5 0 3 0 — 2[h] 1 50 2
Halifax Town 1992–93[15] Third Division 21 2 1 0 1 0 — — 23 2
Wrexham 1992–93[18] Third Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 — — 4 0
Darlington 1993–94[17] Third Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Sittingbourne 1993–94[19] Southern Premier Division 5 0 0 0 0 0 — — 5 0
Brighton & Hove Albion
1993–94[15] Second Division 21 0 0 0 0 0 — — 21 0
1994–95[15] Second Division 9 0 0 0 2 0 — — 11 0
1995–96[15] Second Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Total 32 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 34 0
Bashley 1997–98[20] Southern Premier South 6 0 0 0 0 0 — 3[i] 0 9 0
Career total 637 46 57 13 70 5 35 13 15 1 814 78
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in European Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearances in Charity Shield
  4. ^ Appearances in European Cup (7 appearances, 4 goals) and Super Cup (2 appearances)
  5. ^ Appearances in European Cup (2 appearances) and Super Cup (2 appearances, 1 goal)
  6. ^ Appearances in ScreenSport Super Cup
  7. ^ a b Appearances in Full Members' Cup
  8. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  9. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy (2 appearances) and Hampshire Senior Cup (1 appearance)

Honours

[edit]

Liverpool[21]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jimmy Case

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jimmy Case (born 18 May 1954) is an English former footballer who played primarily as a right-sided , best known for his six-year stint with from 1975 to 1981, during which he became a key member of the club's dominant teams under manager . Born in , Case rose through with local clubs such as South Liverpool before signing amateur forms with in 1973 and making his debut in April 1975 against Queens Park Rangers. Renowned for his tough-tackling style, relentless work rate, and ferocious long-range shooting, he made 269 appearances and scored 46 goals for the Reds, often operating on the right flank alongside stars like and . During his time at Anfield, Case contributed to an extraordinary haul of silverware, including four First Division titles (1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, and 1979–80), two European Cups (1976–77 and 1978–79), one UEFA Cup (1975–76), and one (1980–81). Notable moments include his powerful volley in the against Manchester United and a of goals in European competitions during the 1975–76 season, helping cement Liverpool's status as a European powerhouse. A local lad adored by the Kop for his passion and grit, Case never earned a senior cap despite his club success. After leaving in 1981, Case enjoyed a successful second act at & Hove Albion (1981–85), where he helped them reach the , before captaining from 1985 to 1991, returning to for a second spell (1993–1996), and later playing for , Halifax Town, and several non-league sides until his retirement in 1998. Post-retirement, he has remained connected to football through coaching and his 2014 , Jimmy Case: My Autobiography, which reflects on his career highs and personal challenges.

Early life

Childhood in Liverpool

James Robert Case was born on 18 May 1954 in , , to a working-class family. He grew up as one of four children—alongside two brothers and a sister—raised by parents and Dorothy Case in a in the Allerton district, a suburb emblematic of the city's post-war housing developments. From an early age, Case displayed a profound passion for football, describing himself as "football mad" and immersed in the sport within his family's staunchly pro- FC household, which was decorated "red from top to bottom." His mother, Dorothy, nurtured his enthusiasm by taking him to watch his uncle play for South Liverpool, amid the vibrant football culture of 1950s and 1960s . He attended matches from the Boys Pen. At school, he progressed through local teams, balancing education with informal play in the working-class neighborhoods of Allerton, where street games were a common outlet for children. Case's formative years unfolded against the backdrop of Liverpool's socioeconomic landscape, characterized by industrial reliance on docks and manufacturing, in the giving way to economic pressures in the , including rising and urban challenges that tested working-class resilience. Living on a council estate amid these conditions instilled in him a strong and determination, qualities reflective of the tight-knit community spirit that defined many families in the era. This environment shaped his early development, eventually channeling his football interest into organized youth opportunities.

Youth football beginnings

Jimmy Case began his involvement in organized youth football through local amateur clubs in Liverpool during his mid-teens. At around age 15, he played for Blue Union, a dockers' club in Garston, where he faced significantly older opponents in matches that honed his physical resilience and aggressive tackling style. This early exposure to rough, competitive play against men in their thirties built the tenacity that would define his midfield role. By age 16 in 1970, Case had joined non-league side South , establishing himself as a in their setup. His standout performances in local fixtures highlighted his powerful shooting and no-nonsense defending, though he was initially overlooked for elite youth teams like the Liverpool Schoolboys and faced rejections from professional clubs due to his preference for completing an electrician's over an early full-time contract. Persistence in these regional leagues paid off, as his combative displays caught the eye of scouts. In 1973, at age 19, Case impressed Liverpool scouts Tom Saunders and John Bennison during a match for South Liverpool, leading to his signing by the club on a semi-professional basis for a nominal £500 fee, allowing him to balance football with his trade training. This move marked the end of his non-league journey and the start of his professional pathway.

Club career

Liverpool (1973–1981)

Jimmy Case signed for Liverpool from non-league South Liverpool in May 1973 as a semi-professional, initially under manager , before took over later that year. He made his professional debut on 26 April 1975 in a 3-1 league victory over Queens Park Rangers at , coming on as a substitute in the final match of the 1974–75 season. By the following campaign, Case had rapidly risen to become a first-team regular, establishing himself on the right side of Paisley's midfield and contributing to Liverpool's successful title challenge. In the 1975–76 season alone, he made 39 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals, including five in the Cup. Known for his combative, hard-tackling style and powerful long-range shooting, Case formed a dynamic midfield partnership, particularly after joined in 1978, providing tenacity and drive in both domestic and European fixtures. One of his most iconic contributions came in the 1976 UEFA Cup final first leg against Club Brugge at on 28 April 1976; trailing 2-0 at halftime, Case substituted in and scored Liverpool's second goal in a crucial 3-2 comeback win, rifling a fierce shot into the net from the edge of the box to level the aggregate score. Over his Liverpool tenure, he proved pivotal in the team's dominance, making 186 league appearances and scoring 23 goals while helping secure multiple titles through his relentless work rate and goal-scoring threat from distance. Case's time at Anfield ended in the summer of 1981 after eight years, when increased competition for places from emerging talents like Sammy Lee prompted his £350,000 transfer to & Hove Albion as he sought fresh opportunities.

Brighton & Hove Albion (first spell, 1981–1985)

Jimmy Case joined & Hove Albion from on 17 August 1981 for a transfer fee of £350,000, around the same time as Mark Lawrenson's £900,000 move from to . The 27-year-old quickly adapted to his new surroundings under manager , bringing tenacity and long-range shooting ability to the Second Division side. His arrival bolstered Brighton's midfield, providing experience from 's trophy-winning era and contributing to a cohesive team dynamic focused on promotion. In his debut season of 1981–82, Case played a key role in Brighton's push for promotion to the First Division, appearing in 33 league matches and scoring three goals as the Seagulls finished runners-up with 75 points from 42 games. His energetic performances helped secure vital wins, including a 3–0 victory over Norwich City early in the campaign, underscoring his influence on the team's attacking transitions. Brighton's promotion marked a significant achievement, elevating them to the top flight for the first time in nearly eight decades. The pinnacle of Case's contributions came during the 1982–83 FA Cup campaign, where Brighton embarked on a memorable run to the final—the club's only appearance at Wembley in the competition to date. Case scored decisive goals in four consecutive rounds: the winner against Exeter City in the fourth round, alongside Mark Ryan's strike in a 2–1 upset over Liverpool in the fifth round at Anfield, the solitary goal in a 1–0 quarter-final victory over Norwich City, and a spectacular 35-yard free-kick that opened the scoring in the 2–1 semi-final triumph against Sheffield Wednesday. In the final against Manchester United, Brighton led 1–0 through Gordon Smith's goal but lost 2–1 after extra time, followed by a 4–0 replay defeat; Case's all-around midfield display, including his set-piece threat, earned praise for embodying the underdogs' resilience. Over his first spell at through 1985, Case amassed 127 league appearances and 10 goals, though the club faced relegation from the First Division in 1983 after finishing 21st. Subsequent seasons in Division were hampered by injuries that limited his consistency, leading to his transfer to in March 1985 for £35,000. Despite these setbacks, Case's tenure symbolized a period of ambition and cup glory for amid mid-table struggles.

Southampton (1985–1991)

Jimmy Case transferred to from & Hove Albion in 1985 for a of £35,000, marking Lawrie McMenemy's final signing for the club as he sought to bolster the midfield with experienced leadership. Making his debut shortly after in a 5-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on 23 1985, Case quickly established himself as a key figure in the Saints' engine room, providing tenacity and tactical nous during a period of transition following 's relegation. Over the next six seasons, he amassed 215 league appearances and contributed 10 goals, embodying reliability in a squad that consistently avoided relegation battles. Under manager Chris Nicholl, who succeeded McMenemy in 1985, Case was appointed club captain, a role in which he wore the armband with distinction and helped steer to mid-table finishes, including 8th place in 1985–86 and 9th in 1986–87. His veteran presence in midfield proved invaluable, offering a calming influence and mentoring emerging talents such as , who debuted in 1988, alongside Danny Wallace and , fostering their development while enforcing discipline on the pitch. Case's combative style and game control were central to the team's stability, ensuring the club remained competitive in the First Division without the volatility of their previous exploits at . The 1988–89 season stood out as Case's finest at The Dell, where he was voted Southampton's Player of the Year for his pivotal performances in a campaign that saw the Saints finish 12th. His contributions extended to cup competitions, though the team fell short of major silverware. At age 37, Case departed in July 1991 following the arrival of new manager , who released him on a free transfer amid a squad rebuild, ending a tenure that totaled 269 appearances and 14 goals across all competitions.

Later clubs (1991–1996)

After departing , Jimmy Case signed for in July 1991 under manager , reuniting with his former teammate in the Third Division. During the 1991–92 season, he featured in 40 league appearances for the Cherries, contributing one goal as the team finished mid-table. In the summer of 1992, Case moved to Halifax Town, managed by John McGrath, a former colleague. He made 21 league outings in the 1992–93 Third Division campaign, scoring twice, though the Shaymen struggled near the relegation zone. His time at Halifax was brief, as he transferred to in February 1993, where he appeared in just four league matches before departing in October of that year. Case returned to Brighton & Hove Albion in December 1993, initially in a capacity, drawing on his earlier successful spell at the club from 1981 to 1985. He continued to play sporadically over the next two seasons in the Third Division, making 32 league appearances in total during his second stint. Case had been at in a capacity since December 1993. He announced his retirement from playing on 10 November 1995 due to a persistent injury sustained during . Following Liam Brady's departure on 20 November, Case was appointed manager on 21 November, though no longer playing. This injury, which had troubled him amid a career twilight marked by multiple club moves and diminishing playing time, effectively ended his 23-year professional playing career across England's lower tiers.

International career

England under-23 appearances

Jimmy Case earned a single cap for the under-23 team on 23 March 1976, during a European Under-23 Championship quarter-final against at in . Playing as a right , he scored in the 22nd minute to equalize after Hungary's Fekete had opened the scoring in the 21st minute, helping secure a 3–1 victory, with additional goals from Gordon Hill and . This appearance marked Case's only youth international honour, earned on the strength of his emerging form at , where he had established himself in the first team during the 1975–76 season. The match represented England's progress in a transitional youth setup under manager , who oversaw the under-23 side amid evolving youth structures that would soon shift to the under-21 format later in 1976. Case's contribution highlighted his potential at the international level, though he would not progress to senior caps. In 1978, Case was awarded the inaugural as the best under-23 player in Europe, recognizing his outstanding performances despite the lack of further international opportunities.

Senior international prospects

Despite amassing over 400 appearances in English football's top flight across stints with , Brighton & Hove Albion, and , Jimmy Case never received a senior cap for . Case's exclusion stemmed from the fierce midfield competition during his peak years under manager , who favored established stars like and over the midfielder despite his pivotal role in the Reds' domestic and European dominance. , Case's club manager, publicly lambasted for selecting other players such as and while overlooking Case, arguing that the latter's tenacity and vision were essential for 's midfield strength. This era-specific selection politics, compounded by 's preference for a balanced but familiar lineup, left Case on the fringes despite his consistent top-flight performances. In his Hard Case, he reflected on the ongoing disappointment of being ignored by selectors but came to accept that the grueling demands of Liverpool's packed schedule—balancing , and European commitments—likely limited his visibility and availability for international duties.

Managerial career

Brighton & Hove Albion (1995–1996)

Jimmy Case was appointed player-manager of & Hove Albion on 21 November 1995, at the age of 41, succeeding amid the club's deepening financial crisis, which included the controversial sale of the earlier that year. Case, who had rejoined as a player in 1993, combined coaching duties with occasional on-field contributions, becoming the oldest outfield player in the Football League that season at 41. During his tenure, faced severe on- and off-field turmoil, with limited resources hampering squad building and fan unrest over the ground sale boiling over into protests. Case managed 58 matches in total, overseeing a win percentage of 18.97% as the team battled in the Second Division. The 1995–96 season ended in relegation, with finishing 23rd and dropping to the Third Division for the first time in the club's history. Case's time in charge extended into the 1996–97 campaign, but a dismal start—marked by just three league wins and Brighton rooted to the bottom of the Third Division table—led to his dismissal on 4 December 1996. His sacking came shortly after a humiliating FA Cup replay defeat to non-league Sudbury Town, intensifying the pressure on the already beleaguered club.

Bashley (1997–1999)

Following his dismissal from Brighton & Hove Albion, Jimmy Case joined non-league side Bashley as manager in August 1997. Case focused on squad rebuilding and local talent development at the Southern League Division One South club, which had faced inconsistent promotion pushes in prior years. In his debut 1997–98 season, he steered Bashley to a third-place league finish, positioning them as serious promotion contenders, while also advancing to the last 16 of the before a narrow defeat to Conference side Hayes. Drawing on his playing experience at Liverpool, where youth integration had been key to success, Case emphasized promoting academy prospects; a notable example was nurturing the young Wade Elliott, whom he helped transition to senior football before facilitating his £5,000 transfer to AFC Bournemouth in 2000. The 1998–99 campaign saw more stable mid-table consolidation, with Bashley ending 10th in the division. Case managed approximately 84 league matches plus cup ties over his two-year tenure before resigning in May 1999 for personal reasons, citing a desire for a break after decades of continuous football commitment since age 18.

Personal life

Family and early adulthood

Jimmy Case was born into a working-class in , where he grew up with two brothers and a sister on a council estate near the docks. Case met his future wife, Lana, in in 1970, and the couple married in 1977. They had two daughters: Emma, born in 1981, and Jodie, born in 1985. During Case's time at , his family provided essential support, remaining based in their home amid the demands of his rising football career, which included frequent training and matches. When Case transferred to & Hove Albion in 1981, the family relocated to a furnished bungalow near the , where Lana and young Emma adapted well to the coastal environment, allowing Case to focus on his new role while maintaining family stability. In his early adulthood, Case balanced the onset of football fame with his deep roots, continuing to train as an after leaving and even working part-time as a van driver for a local firm while on 's books. This grounded lifestyle reflected his commitment to his origins, as he signed part-time with in 1973 at age 19, juggling apprenticeships and non-league games with South Liverpool before turning professional. Case's personality, often encapsulated by his "hard man" reputation on the pitch, stemmed from his tough upbringing and was highlighted in anecdotes from his , such as a ground altercation where he punched teammate Alec Lindsay, an incident he credits with earning him a debut opportunity under manager . Off the field, however, he was known for his witty, modest, and philosophical demeanor, with a dry sense of humor that endeared him to family and friends.

Later years and challenges

Following his departure from management at Bashley in 1999, Case's involvement in professional coaching remained limited, with no further prominent roles in the sport. Instead, he transitioned to occasional public appearances, including speaking engagements and participation in legends events. In 2014, Case released his Hard Case, co-authored with Andrew Smart and published by John Blake Publishing, where he candidly reflected on his playing career, management stints, and personal regrets, such as the lack of senior international caps despite his club successes. The book also addressed pivotal moments, including an on-field altercation with Liverpool teammate Alec Lindsay, which Case later described in a interview as the incident that "launched" his career by earning him a starting spot after a fine and brief suspension. Case retired from playing at age 42 in due to persistent injuries that curtailed his later career. He has since resided in the area, where he has engaged in community activities, including volunteering with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust's Box Initiative since at least 2021, assembling and installing nest boxes for barn across . As of 2025, at age 71, Case maintains a low-profile life without major public or professional commitments in football, though he continues to connect with Liverpool supporters through fan events and Q&A sessions at .

Career statistics

Club appearances and goals

Jimmy Case's club statistics are detailed below by club and competition, based on available records. Note that data for later non-league appearances may be incomplete.

Liverpool (1973–1981)

Case's most prolific period came at , where he made 269 appearances and scored 46 goals in all competitions.
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
League17030
FA Cup214
League Cup212
Europe5710
Total26946

Brighton & Hove Albion (first spell, 1981–1985)

During his initial stint at , Case appeared 162 times and scored 15 goals across all competitions.
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
League12410
155
80
Other150
Total16215

Southampton (1985–1991)

Case contributed 266 appearances and 13 goals in all competitions for .
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
League21310
151
342
Other40
Total26613

Brighton & Hove Albion (second spell, 1993–1994)

In his return to Brighton, Case made 50 appearances and scored 3 goals in all competitions.
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
League300
League Cup20
Other183
Total503

Other Clubs

Case played for several other clubs later in his career, including AFC Bournemouth where he recorded 47 appearances and 1 goal in all competitions. Additional stints at Halifax Town, Wrexham, Darlington, and non-league sides like Sittingbourne yielded limited recorded statistics, with incomplete data for non-league appearances such as his 1993 guest spell at Wanneroo British.
ClubAppearancesGoals
(1991–1992)471
Halifax Town (1992–1993)192
(1993)40
(1993)10
Subtotal713

International appearances and goals

Jimmy Case earned a single cap at under-23 level for , scoring once during his international career. His appearance came in a European Under-23 Championship quarter-final second leg match against on 23 March 1976 at , , where secured a 3-1 victory. Case started in midfield and scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute, contributing to 's progression in the competition.
DateOpponentResultPositionGoals
23 March 1976 U233–1 (W)Midfield1 (22')
Case received no further youth or senior international call-ups, and he never earned a full cap despite his success at club level.

Honours

Club honours

During his six seasons at Liverpool from 1975 to 1981, Jimmy Case won ten major trophies as a regular in the team. He contributed to four First Division titles in 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, and 1979–80. Case also played in the finals of Liverpool's European Cup triumphs in 1977 (2–1 win over ) and 1978 (1–0 win over Club Brugge), and was part of the squad for the 1981 (1–0 win over Real Madrid) victory. The club further secured the Cup in 1976 against Club Brugge, with Case scoring a goal in the first leg of the final, the European Super Cup in 1977 against , and the League Cup in 1981 against West Ham United. At other clubs, Case did not win any major trophies. With Brighton & Hove Albion from 1981 to 1985, however, he reached the as a key , where the team finished as runners-up to Manchester United following a 2–2 draw and 4–0 replay defeat at . His subsequent spells at (1985–1991), (1991–1992), and lower-tier clubs like Halifax Town and yielded no further team successes.

Individual recognitions

In 1978, Case became the inaugural recipient of the , presented by the Italian sports magazine Guerin Sportivo to the best young player under the age of 23 performing in European football, recognizing his dynamic midfield contributions during Liverpool's successful campaigns in the late . During his tenure at , Case was voted the club's Player of the Year for the 1989–90 season, an accolade that underscored his leadership and enduring quality as at age 35, despite the team's mid-table position in the First Division. Case's reputation as one of football's quintessential "hard men"—known for his tenacious tackling and unyielding competitiveness—was further cemented by his 2014 autobiography, Hard Case, which chronicles his career from non-league beginnings to elite success and has been praised for its candid portrayal of his combative style and personal resilience.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/jimmy-case/profil/spieler/176085
  2. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/jimmy-case
  3. https://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/278
  4. https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/05/02/the-double-renaissance-at-liverpool-and-southampton-of-jimmy-case/
  5. https://www.amazon.com/Jimmy-Case-My-Autobiography/dp/1784186414
  6. https://inparallellines.blog/2017/11/29/liverpool-legend-jimmy-case-became-a-seagulls-favourite-too/
  7. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5629555.case-history/
  8. https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/2014/11/hard-case-autobiography-of-jimmy-case.html
  9. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-hard-man-training-ground-25151489
  10. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13619460802439382
  11. https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/s._brooke_gender_and_working_class_identity_in_britain_during_the_1950s_journal_of_social_history_vol_34._no.4_2001.pdf
  12. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/merseyside-hardmen-liverpool-fc-legend-3433299
  13. https://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3723
  14. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/liverpool-fc/jimmy-case-7527/biography-of-his-football-career-at-anfield_a11152/
  15. https://www.lfchistory.net/seasonarchive/game/915
  16. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/282731-can-you-name-the-last-five-lfc-players-to-also-play-for-brighton
  17. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/brighton-hove-albion-fc/jimmy-case-7527/league-appearances_a13482/
  18. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/jimmy-case/2/
  19. https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/media-article/FA-Cup-heroes-look-back-on-1983-final
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2017/may/25/brighton-top-flight-fa-cup-final
  21. https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/jimmy-case/
  22. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/southampton-fc/jimmy-case-7527/league-appearances_a13483/
  23. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/14488550.previous-winners-daily-echo-southampton-fc-player-season-award/
  24. https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=585
  25. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/jimmy-case-retires-through-injury-1581446.html
  26. https://www.transfermarkt.us/brighton-amp-hove-albion/mitarbeiterhistorie/verein/1237
  27. https://www.11v11.com/matches/england-v-hungary-23-march-1976-256846/
  28. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU23.html
  29. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/teammgr/MgrChron.html
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.com/jimmy-case/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176085
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/sep/24/joy-of-six-uncapped-players
  32. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-legend-jimmy-case-still-4408330
  33. https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=381&teamTabs=managers
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3270480/2022/04/25/a-shambles-on-and-off-the-pitch-25-years-since-brighton-left-the-goldstone-ground/
  35. https://thegoldstonewrap.com/2014/05/18/happy-60th-birthday-jimmy-case/
  36. https://www.the-independent.com/sport/case-shut-out-at-brighton-1313088.html
  37. https://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/jimmy-case/
  38. https://80s90sfootball.wordpress.com/2021/12/30/the-last-season-at-the-goldstone-ground-1996-1997/
  39. https://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2985
  40. https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/03/10/elliot_20questions_feature.shtml
  41. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5634981.case-calls-it-a-day-at-bash/
  42. https://thegoldstonewrap.com/2013/10/29/smashing-brighton-suits-jimmy-case/
  43. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-legend-jimmy-case-chinning-4402074
  44. https://www.superstarspeakers.co.uk/jimmy-case
  45. https://bookings.liverpoolfc.com/stadiumtours/booking/default.htm?pricePackages=8%2C95%2C99
  46. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2014/12/jimmy-case-hard-case-book-review-must-read-midfield-winning-blow/
  47. https://footballbookreviews.com/2015/05/02/book-review-hard-case-the-autobiography-of-jimmy-case-with-andrew-smart/
  48. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19089934.football-legend-jimmy-case-now-helps-barn-owl-conservation/
  49. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=1344
  50. https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-u23-intres-det.html
  51. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/men-and-my-medals-jimmy-case-sgzjxnqrt
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