Jim McAlister

James Duncan McAlister (born 2 November 1985 in Rothesay) is a retired Scottish footballer, who is most known for being club captain for Greenock Morton, making 361 appearances for the club.

For other people with similar names, see James McAllister (disambiguation).

Jim McAlister
Personal information
Full name James Duncan McAlister
Date of birth (1985-11-02) 2 November 1985
Place of birth Rothesay, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Greenock Morton
Number 8
Youth career
Rothesay Brandane
Everton BC
Linwood Rangers
2002–2004 Greenock Morton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2010 Greenock Morton 244 (16)
2010–2012 Hamilton Academical 55 (1)
2012–2015 Dundee 111 (9)
2015–2018 Blackpool 67 (0)
2018–2021 Greenock Morton 56 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:06, 8 February 2020 (UTC)

Although predominantly right-footed, McAlister played on the left side of midfield in an eight-year first spell at Morton and was transformed into a right wing-back while at Hamilton Academical. At Dundee, he established himself as a central midfielder. After a three-year spell in English football with Blackpool, McAlister returned to Morton in 2018 and retired mid way through the 2020/21 season.

Career

Greenock Morton

McAlister was raised on the Isle of Bute and attended Rothesay Primary School and Rothesay Academy. He made his Greenock Morton debut as a substitute against Peterhead at Cappielow Park on 28 December 2002 at 17 years old.[1] His first start was made a few months later on 15 February 2003 away at Elgin City as an attacker.

Over the next couple of seasons, McAlister flirted with Morton's first team while playing regularly for the reserve side.[2] The manager John McCormack introduced McAlister to the first team as a result of his performances in the reserves. By season 2004–05 McAlister had forced his way into Morton's first team,[3] and such were his performances that he went on to start in every league match that season, barring one in which he appeared as a substitute. As a result, he was offered a new three-year contract which he signed in July 2005.

Some of his performances led to comparisons with Barcelona player Ronaldinho and resulted in a number of fans giving him the tongue-in-cheek nickname 'Jimaldinho'.[3]

McAlister started 107 consecutive league matches for Morton (including the two playoff games against Peterhead in 2006), with the last game he missed being a meaningless game against Forfar Athletic at the end of the 2005–2006 season.[4] However, this run came to an end as he missed a game on 2 May 2009 due to suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.

On 21 July 2009, after a friendly loss to Romania's champions Unirea Urziceni, McAlister was approached by head coach Dan Petrescu to join Unirea, also offering him the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League.[2] McAlister went on trial to Football League Championship side Watford in August 2009.[5] Watford manager Malky Mackay told the club that they intended to keep an eye on McAlister over the weeks following the trial.[6] He also attracted interest from Morton's rivals St Mirren, as claimed by the Greenock Telegraph towards the end of the January 2010 transfer window.[7]

In April 2010, McAlister broke his foot in a 3–3 draw with Queen of the South.[8]

Hamilton Academical

He was released by Morton at the end of the 2009–10 season,[9] and joined Hamilton Academical.[10][2] He played in the club's defeat in the 2012 Scottish Challenge Cup Final,[11] and scored his first and only goal for the Accies in a 5–1 loss at Ross County on 28 April 2012.[12]

Dundee

After his release by Hamilton, McAlister went on trial at English side Carlisle United after being recommended by former boss at Morton, Davie Irons[13] and then trained at his previous club Greenock Morton.[14] In August 2012, he signed for Scottish Premier League side Dundee.[15] He went on to be an almost ever-present in the Dundee midfield, playing 125 times, scoring 12 times.

Blackpool

McAlister signed with Blackpool on 29 July 2015 after playing three pre-season friendlies for them. He joined on a free transfer in a two-year deal with an option for a third year.[16] He scored his first goal for Blackpool in a 4-2 EFL Cup win against Bolton Wanderers on 9 August 2016.[17] It was confirmed that McAllister broke his leg in a 1-1 draw against Colchester United on 4 February 2017, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[18] He was released by Blackpool at the end of the 2017–18 season.[19]

Greenock Morton

McAlister signed a one-year contract with Morton in June 2018.[20] On 16 July, he was announced as club captain.[21]

On 3 June 2019, McAlister signed a one-year extension, committing himself to the club until 10 June 2020.[22]

McAlister retired from playing football in January 2021.[23]

Career statistics

Club
As of 8 February 2020[24][25]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[26] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Greenock Morton 2002–03[27] Scottish Third Division 7[28] 020000090
2003–04[29] Scottish Second Division 9[30] 000000090
2004–05[31] Scottish Second Division 3623[32] 02010422
2005–06[33] Scottish Second Division 354201060444
2006–07[34] Scottish Second Division 365301040445
2007–08[35] Scottish First Division 36441104[36]1456
2008–09[37] Scottish First Division 35010313[38]0421
2009–10[39] Scottish First Division 301302020371
Total 2241618110120127219
Hamilton Academical 2010–11[40] Scottish Premier League 190201000220
2011–12[41] Scottish First Division 361201050441
Total 551402050661
Dundee 2012–13[42] Scottish Premier League 383321000425
2013–14[43] Scottish Championship 364102130425
2014–15[44] Scottish Premiership 372202000412
Total 111962513012512
Blackpool 2015–16[45] League One 44000101[lower-alpha 1]0460
2016–17[46] League Two 22050213[lower-alpha 1]0321
2017–18[47] League One 1000001[lower-alpha 1]020
Total 670503150801
Greenock Morton 2018–19[48] Scottish Championship 330304000400
2019–20[49] Scottish Championship 233305000313
Total 563609000713
Career total 5132939329333161436
  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy

Honours

Greenock Morton

Hamilton Academical

Dundee

Blackpool

See also

References
  1. "Morton 1–0 Peterhead". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  2. "Winger McAlister will enjoy being further back against Morton". Scottish Football League. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  3. "Jim McAlister profile". Greenock Morton FC. Archived from the original on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  4. "Forfar 0–2 Morton". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
  5. Smith, Frank (4 August 2009). "Watford have taken Greenock Morton's Jim McAlister on trial". Watford Observer. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. "McAlister wants to stay in UK". Greenock Telegraph. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  7. "Search for new striker goes on". Greenock Telegraph. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  8. "McAlister out for season". Scottish Football League. 8 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  9. "Brian Graham signs new Ton deal". Greenock Telegraph. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  10. "Jack Ross secures contract at Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  11. Falkirk 1-0 Hamilton Accies, BBC Sport. 2012-04-01. Retrieved 17 February 2019
  12. "Ross County 5-1 Hamilton". BBC Sport. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  13. "Scottish pair link up with Carlisle Utd. on trial". News & Star. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  14. "Meet Jim". dundeefc.co.uk. Dundee F.C. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  15. "Jim McAlister makes Dundee debut after becoming latest signing". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  16. "Midfielder Agrees Blackpool Deal" - Blackpool Gazette, 29 July 2015
  17. "Blackpool 4-2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  18. Update: McAlister suffers broken leg, Blackpool Gazette, 4 February 2017
  19. "Manager Confirms Retained List". Blackpool F.C. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  20. Mitchell, Jonathan (13 June 2018). "McAlister makes Morton homecoming". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  21. Morton, Greenock (16 July 2018). "Jim McAlister appointed club captain". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  22. Morton, Greenock (3 June 2019). "Jim McAlister signs contract extension". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  23. Steele, Russell (29 January 2021). "Morton rocked by sudden retirement of club captain Jim McAlister". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  24. Jim McAlister at Soccerbase
  25. Jim McAlister at Soccerway
  26. Includes matches played in Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Football League play-offs and Football League Trophy
  27. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  28. Includes 2 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "Morton 2–1 Albion Rovers". The Telegraph. 19 January 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2003. & "Queen's Park 0–1 Morton". The Telegraph. 9 March 2003. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  29. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  30. Includes 3 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "Forfar 2–1 Morton". The Telegraph. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2016., "Berwick 2–0 Morton". The Telegraph. 25 April 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2016. & "Dumbarton 3–0 Morton". The Telegraph. 2 May 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  31. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  32. Includes 2 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "Morton 3–1 East Stirlingshire". BBC Sport. 23 November 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2016. & "Cove Rangers 1–7 Morton". BBC Sport. 11 December 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  33. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  34. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  35. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  36. Includes 1 Scottish Challenge Cup match not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "East Stirlingshire 0–4 Morton". BBC Sport. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  37. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  38. Includes 1 Scottish Challenge Cup match not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "Queen of the South 0–2 Morton". BBC Sport. 7 September 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  39. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  40. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  41. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  42. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  43. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  44. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  45. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  46. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  47. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  48. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  49. "Games played by Jim McAlister in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
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