A Club Stalwart - Jimmy Todd  by Billy Graham

Jimmy Todd made his debut for Ards against Glentoran on 7th October 1939 at The Oval in a City Cup game that the Glens won 5-3. Harry Elliot was the Ards goalscorer with a hat-trick, one of which was a penalty.

The Ards team: Davidson, Wright, Haire, McKeown, Crawford, Rankin, Todd, McLarnon, Bunting, Elliot, Fitzsimmons.

Jimmy made his 'second debut' on 1st November 1941 against Cliftonville Olympic at Castlereagh Park in the Intermediate League. Ards won 6-5 with goals from Walter Hollinger 2, O'Neill 2, Davy Nurton and Buchancon. Ards were now in their second season in Intermediate football after dropping down because of the Second World War.

In the Irish League Jimmy played nineteen times and scored ten goals while in the Intermediate League he played 122 times and scored 89 goals which made a total of 141 appearances and 99 goals.

Jimmy made his last appearance for Ards against Linfield Swifts at Castlereagh Park on 31st May 1947, an Intermediate League game which Ards won 4-2 with goals from Joe McKeown 2, and Arthur Douglas 2. Jimmy had an injury and was not expected to play but two 

Jimmy Todd today

Southern Irish based players , left-back Harte and centre back Clarke did not appear so Jimmy had to don the boots reluctantly. The injury was too much though and Jimmy had to retire at half-time with Walter Hollinger taking over at left-back and Ards played the second half with ten men.

Ards: Hamilton, Cully, Todd, McKeown, Bunting, Corbett, McKeown, Mulholland, Douglas, Hollinger, Rodgers.

Jimmy came back to Ards as coach of Ards Thirds in the 1954/55 season bringing through to senior football players like Billy McCullough. After a spell as a scout for Ards and managerial roles for Crusaders and Carrick Rangers, Jimmy eventually became the manager of Ards and the end of the 1984/85 season.

Billy Graham

Billy Graham is Ards' resident historian and statistician. If you have a query relating to a time in Ards' past or to a former player, then get in touch via this e-mail and we'll pass the questions on to Billy.

first published 30th November 2005