Full name James Mullen Role Footballer Name Jimmy Mullen | Years Team | |
Date of birth (1923-01-06)6 January 1923 Date of death 23 October 1987(1987-10-23) (aged 64) Died October 23, 1987, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom | ||
Place of death Wolverhampton, England | ||
James Mullen (6 January 1923 – 23 October 1987) was an English international footballer, who played as an outside left.
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Mullen spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won three league championships and the FA Cup. He also represented the English national team at both the 1950 and 1954 World Cup.
Career
Mullen joined the Midlanders in June 1937, turned professional on his 17th birthday, and remained with the club until his retirement in May 1960. His league debut came in February 1939, in a 4–1 win over Leeds United. He made 488 appearances in total, scoring 112 goals, helping the club win their only three league titles (1953–54, 1957–58 and 1958–59) as well as the FA Cup in 1949.
He also played for England, earning 12 caps. He became England's first ever substitute in an international on 18 May 1950, scoring against Belgium at Heysel Stadium in a 4–1 win. He also played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup and the 1954 FIFA World Cup. He scored 6 goals, including in the 1954 World Cup against Switzerland.
During wartime, he served as a soldier in the Army from 1942 onward, based at Farnborough, Catterick and Barnard Castle. After retiring from football, he ran a sports shop in Wolverhampton until shortly before his death.
Notes:
* includes 1 additional game in the Charity Shield
Mullen also appeared in wartime games, scoring goals