He sprang to prominence as a member of the Oldham Athletic team which rose right from the Lancashire Combination to the First Division. He missed only one game between 1905—06 and 1910—11. He was their leading scorer in 1910—11 with 26 goals after moving from wing-half to inside-forward and helped the ‘Latics into runners-up spot in Division II. Fay made his name as centre-half with Bolton, later guesting for Southport Central during World War I. He played in the Victory International and represented the Football League v. the Scottish League in April 1919 when aged 35. After making 128 appearances for the Wanderers to add to his 154 at Boundary Park, he joined Southport as their captain — the second club he had represented in its inaugural Football League season. He was a founder member of the PFA, Chairman from 1922—29 and Treasurer from 1922 to 1952. He ran a sports outfitting business in the town and became a JP, having been known as ‘Gentleman’ James Fay during his career. Jimmy Fay was a man of even temper, quiet demeanour and intense enthusiasm and had a knack of making himself respected and liked.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9

A professional footballer for over 20 years and aone of the founders of the Player’s Union, of which he was secretary and treasurer from 1929 to 1955.

Born in Southport he was spotted by Oldham Athletic playing local football, spending six years with them before joining Bolton Wanderers for a further ten.

He moved back to his home town club and captained the side when Southport joined the Third division in 1921.

He played in four inter league games at centre half and was once reserve for England.

After retirement he ran a sports outfitting business in Southport before retiring a few years before his death in 1957.

He was appointed a Southport Borough magristrate in 1942 and took a keen interest in all branches of sport. He was a lfie member of Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club and preseident of the Southport and District Table Tennis League.