James Dunn

Who was James Dunn?

James "Jimmy" Dunn was a Scottish professional international footballer, most famous for being part of the 1928 Wembley Wizards side.

Dunn, born in Glasgow and nicknamed "ginger" due to the colour of his hair, started his senior career in 1920 when Hibernian signed him from his local junior side Govan St Anthony's. He stayed eight years with the Edinburgh club, helping them to consecutive Scottish Cup finals in 1923 and 1924, although he collected a runners-up medal on each occasion. In 1925 he earned his first selection for the Scottish national team, playing in a 3-1 defeat of Wales at Tynecastle. He gained a further 4 Scotland caps while with Hibs, the most memorable being the last, against England at Wembley in 1928.

Dunn was a late inclusion in the side for the British Home Championship match, having missed selection for the preceding international trial match between home-based and Anglo-Scots. The entire Scotland forward-line measured 5 foot 7 or less and it was widely expected that the bigger, stronger English side would overpower their Scottish opponents. Dunn and his colleagues thought otherwise and raced to a surprise 5-1 victory, a record Scottish win at Wembley. The victory was widely celebrated in Scotland and the team was later somewhat mythologised as the Wembley Wizards.