I didn't know him personally, but I know of his huge influence on the game of football and its players here in Wellington.
My best wishes to his family.
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Appreciate the sentiment liverpoolfan1. Football was Grandad's life.
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Jim was a gentleman and was a positive and massive influence on my football and life when I was a young man in Wellington.
There was nothing he did not know about the game and the calibre of players that he produced was testament to his ability to get the best out of people through his quiet way. He never asked for anything either for giving up his time to coach youngsters. He always made it very clear as well that he didnt care about ability, it was only a person's attitude towards the game that he was interested in.
I still hear Jim's voice in my head when I play football now 'Change the angle', 'Drop the shoulder', 'There's only one place to put the ball when you're in that position and that is in the back of the f**king net'.
He had a remarkable life too, from Belfast to El Alamein to Miramar.
I am very, very grateful for the time that we had together.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Rupert Ryan
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Jim made a huge contribution to my brothers and I as young men growing up in Miramar.
He would be on the corner of Miramar Park with his bag of balls available for anyone who wanted to listen and work hard, once he had finished his own 10 laps of the ground of course!
He was the first person to seek out in the clubrooms after the game for a honest view of individual and team performance.
I know many players that are very grateful to Jim for the time he freely gave.
Best wishes to the family.
Never forgotten!
Mark Chote
He would be on the corner of Miramar Park with his bag of balls available for anyone who wanted to listen and work hard, once he had finished his own 10 laps of the ground of course!
He was the first person to seek out in the clubrooms after the game for a honest view of individual and team performance.
I know many players that are very grateful to Jim for the time he freely gave.
Best wishes to the family.
Never forgotten!
Mark Chote
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