Jack Southam

Who was Jack Southam?

James Henry "Jack" Southam was an English professional footballer who made 154 appearances in the Football League playing for Newport County, Birmingham City and Northampton Town.

Southam was born in Willenhall, Staffordshire. He signed for West Bromwich Albion, initially as an amateur, in 1939, but the onset of the Second World War interrupted his competitive football career. During the war he made guest appearances for clubs including Arsenal, Colchester United, Ipswich Town and Newport County, and joined the last of these in May 1946 for a fee of £300. After playing eight league games, he moved on to fellow Second Division club Birmingham City in November of the same year. Described as "a steady, reliable full-back", he played only twice in the FA Cup and once in the league for Birmingham before joining Northampton Town. In his first season he helped the club to runners-up spot in the Third Division South, and in six seasons with the club played a total of 145 league games, scoring one goal. After retiring as a player he joined Walsall's coaching staff.

Southam died in Birmingham sometime after 1987.