James Watton (born 1 November 1936) is an English former footballer who played as a half-back. He made 129 league appearances in a six-year career in the Football League.
He began his career with English non-League side Bromsgrove Rovers and Dutch club De Graafschap before joining Port Vale in September 1962. He was allowed to move on to Doncaster Rovers in July 1964. He helped "Donny" to the Fourth Division title in 1965–66 before he left the club for non-League side Burton Albion in 1968.
Career Watton played for Bromsgrove Rovers and Dutch side De Graafschap before joining Norman Low's Port Vale in September 1962. He made his debut in a 1–0 win at Colchester United on 10 September 1962, but only made four further Third Division appearances that season. He did not appear under new boss Freddie Steele in the 1963–64 season, and left Vale Park for Doncaster Rovers in July 1964. Rovers finished ninth in the Fourth Division in 1964–65 under the stewardship of Bill Leivers, before winning the league in 1965–66 after finishing ahead of Darlington on goal difference. They could not survive in the league above under new boss Keith Kettleborough, however, and were relegated in 1966–67 after finishing nine points short of safety. They finished tenth in the Fourth Division in 1967–68 under the management of George Raynor. Watton then left Belle Vue and later played for Southern League side Burton Albion.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPort Vale1962–63Third Division500000501963–64Third Division00000000Total50000050Doncaster Rovers1964–65Fourth Division46040305301965–66Fourth Division32000303501966–67Third Division39020604701967–68Fourth Division60001070Total1230601301420Career total1280601301470
Honours Doncaster Rovers Football League Fourth Division: 1965–66
References