Jim Olney

Who was Jim Olney?

James Fred "Jim" Olney was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Birmingham and Swindon Town.

Olney was born in Greet, Birmingham. He played local football before joining First Division club Birmingham in May 1936. He made his debut in the last game of the 1935–36 season in a 3–1 home defeat against West Bromwich Albion. He played two more games during the following season, standing in for Tom Fillingham at centre half, but his playing style was considered too similar to that of Fillingham, and in December 1938 he moved to Third Division South club Swindon Town. He played ten games at left half in what remained of the 1938–39 season, and the first three of the next season, abandoned because of the Second World War.

Olney was killed while serving as a Lance-Serjeant in the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards on 14 September 1944, at the age of 30. He is buried in Geel War Cemetery and commemorated at Swindon Town's County Ground.