Jackie Mittell

Who was Jackie Mittell?

James Lyons "Jackie" Mittell was a Welsh professional footballer who made 247 appearances in the Football League playing for Rochdale, Wigan Borough, Birmingham, Luton Town, Hartlepools United and Barrow. He played as a goalkeeper.

Mittell was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, and began his football career in his native country with Merthyr Town and Penrhiwceiber, before crossing the border to England to join Rochdale of the Third Division North in 1926. He played 46 League games for Rochdale before joining Wigan Borough in 1929. Mittell played 40 league games for Wigan Borough before joining Connah's Quay, but was back at Wigan for what turned out to be the club's last season. The season opened with a 4–0 defeat in Chester's first game since their election to the Football League. The final first-team game before the club folded and their results were expunged was a 5–0 defeat at Wrexham on 24 October 1931. Mittell had been ever-present for those 12 games.

He joined First Division club Birmingham as backup to England's first-choice goalkeeper Harry Hibbs.