In Paddocks to Pitches: The Definitive History of Western Australian Football, Richard Kreider profiles James Crichton Currie ‘Jimmy’ Gordon, born in Saltcoats Glasgow on 22 Feb 1894. He and “younger brother Andy, became one of, if not the, deadliest pre-WWII striking combinations in the State. ‘Wee Jimmy’ and his family set sail for WA in 1912 and Rangers Glebe became his first club. Northern Casuals formed in 1913 and this is where along with Andy and older brother Jock, Jimmy built a reputation as a plenty scorer of goals, despite being just 5’2″ in height. Two newspaper articles stated that Jimmy had scored over 70 goals in one season. He answered ‘the call’ in 1915,” seeing action in France with the 48th Battalion. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and “mentioned in despatches”.
Upon his return in 1919, Kreider writes, “he signed for Perth City United – scoring twice on his debut (7 June) in a 9-2 win against Burnbank Athletic. Jimmy broke a leg on 23 April 1921 in a pre-season match, colliding with Thistle goalkeeper and good friend Sandy Marr.” He also represented WA against England, China and Bohemia. Kreider also notes that “blessed with an abundance of sporting aptitude, Jimmy won a cricket premiership in 1932/33 with Mercantile club Grand United Order of Odd Fellows and was a singles lawn-bowls champion for Victoria Park. Jimmy was also known to be a bit of a prankster, having once rode a horse directly into Busselton’s Ship hotel.
Jimmy was enticed out of retirement to play for the South Perth club at the 1950 Collie Carnival, at the sprightly age of 56. He turned his attention to the junior side of the game and became a vice-president of the WAJSFA.
Wee Jimmy’ Gordon passed away 15 January 1966, aged 71.”