Jim McAlister

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jim McAlister

| image = Jim McAlister.jpg

| full_name = James Duncan McAlister

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|11|2|df=y}}

| birth_place = Rothesay, Scotland

| height =

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Rothesay Brandane

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = Everton BC

| youthyears3 =

| youthclubs3 = Linwood Rangers

| youthyears4 = 2002–2004

| youthclubs4 = Greenock Morton

| years1 = 2002–2010

| caps1 = 244

| goals1 = 16

| clubs1 = Greenock Morton

| years2 = 2010–2012

| caps2 = 55

| goals2 = 1

| clubs2 = Hamilton Academical

| years3 = 2012–2015

| caps3 = 111

| goals3 = 9

| clubs3 = Dundee

| years4 = 2015–2018

| caps4 = 67

| goals4 = 0

| clubs4 = Blackpool

| years5 = 2018–2021

| caps5 = 56

| goals5 = 3

| clubs5 = Greenock Morton

| club-update = 23:06, 8 February 2020 (UTC)

}}

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

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 midway through the 2020–21 season.

Playing 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=365403|title=Morton 1–0 Peterhead|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=16 September 2008|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217201042/https://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=365403|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/winger-mcalister-will-enjoy-being-further-back-against-morton|title=Winger McAlister will enjoy being further back against Morton|publisher=Scottish Football League|date=2 September 2011|access-date=17 February 2019}} 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, 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'.{{cite news |url=http://www.gmfc.net/Squad/&player=22 |title=Jim McAlister profile |publisher=Greenock Morton FC |access-date=17 February 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313081329/http://www.gmfc.net/Squad/%26player%3D22 |archive-date=13 March 2009 }}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=456970|title=Forfar 0–2 Morton|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=26 November 2008|archive-date=11 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811034445/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=456970|url-status=dead}} 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. McAlister went on trial to Football League Championship side Watford in August 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/4528266.Watford_take__Jimaldinho__on_trial/|title=Watford have taken Greenock Morton's Jim McAlister on trial|publisher=Watford Observer|date=4 August 2009|access-date=4 August 2009|first=Frank|last=Smith}} Watford manager Malky Mackay told the club that they intended to keep an eye on McAlister over the weeks following the trial.{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/morton/articles/2009/08/11/390506-mcalister-wants-to-stay-in-uk/|title=McAlister wants to stay in UK|work=Greenock Telegraph|date=11 August 2009|access-date=13 August 2009}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/morton/articles/2010/01/29/396522-search-for-new-striker-goes-on/|title=Search for new striker goes on|work=Greenock Telegraph|date=29 January 2010|access-date=11 February 2010}}

In April 2010, McAlister broke his foot in a 3–3 draw with Queen of the South.{{cite news|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news.cfm?curpageid=945&newsid=3366 |title=McAlister out for season |publisher=Scottish Football League |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=8 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414002751/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news.cfm?curpageid=945 |archive-date=14 April 2010 }}

=Hamilton Academical=

He was released by Morton at the end of the 2009–10 season,{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/articles/2010/05/18/400443-brian-graham-signs-new-ton-deal/|title=Brian Graham signs new Ton deal|work=Greenock Telegraph|date=18 May 2010|access-date=20 May 2010}} and joined Hamilton Academical.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hamilton_academical/8788735.stm|title=Jack Ross secures contract at Hamilton Accies|date=5 July 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 July 2010}} He played in the club's defeat in the 2012 Scottish Challenge Cup final,[https://archive.today/20130419212247/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/football/17558271 Falkirk 1-0 Hamilton Accies], BBC Sport. 2012-04-01. Retrieved 17 February 2019 and scored his first and only goal for the Accies in a 5–1 loss at Ross County on 28 April 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17883895|title=Ross County 5-1 Hamilton|date=28 April 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 February 2016}}

=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{{cite news|url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle-united/latest/scottish-pair-link-up-with-carlisle-utd-on-trial-1.976439?referrerPath=home |title=Scottish pair link up with Carlisle Utd. on trial |publisher=News & Star |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705173140/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle-united/latest/scottish-pair-link-up-with-carlisle-utd-on-trial-1.976439?referrerPath=home |archive-date= 5 July 2015 }} and then trained at his previous club Greenock Morton.{{cite web|url=http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/home/news_detail.asp?newsid=2443 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420020359/http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/home/news_detail.asp?newsid=2443 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 April 2013 |title=Meet Jim|publisher=Dundee F.C. |work=dundeefc.co.uk |date=5 August 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012 }} In August 2012, he signed for Scottish Premier League side Dundee.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19113838 | title=Jim McAlister makes Dundee debut after becoming latest signing | publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 August 2012 | access-date=5 August 2012}} 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.[http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/mcalister-signs-up-2579834.aspx "Midfielder Agrees Blackpool Deal"] – Blackpool Gazette, 29 July 2015 He scored his first goal for Blackpool in a 4-2 EFL Cup win against Bolton Wanderers on 9 August 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36948855|title=Blackpool 4-2 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2016|access-date=9 August 2016}}

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.[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/update-mcalister-suffers-broken-leg-1-8371828 Update: McAlister suffers broken leg], Blackpool Gazette, 4 February 2017 He was released by Blackpool at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/may/manager-confirms-retained-list/|title=Manager Confirms Retained List|date=4 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018|publisher=Blackpool F.C.}}

=Greenock Morton=

McAlister signed a one-year contract with Morton in June 2018.{{cite web |url=https://gmfc.net/2018/06/13/breaking-mcalister-makes-morton-homecoming/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184324/https://gmfc.net/2018/06/13/breaking-mcalister-makes-morton-homecoming/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2018 |title=McAlister makes Morton homecoming |date=13 June 2018 |access-date=13 June 2018 |first=Jonathan |last=Mitchell |publisher=Greenock Morton F.C. }} On 16 July, he was announced as club captain.{{cite web |url=https://gmfc.net/2018/07/16/jim-mcalister-appointed-club-captain/ |title=Jim McAlister appointed club captain |date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |first=Greenock |last=Morton |publisher=Greenock Morton F.C. |archive-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233721/https://gmfc.net/2018/07/16/jim-mcalister-appointed-club-captain/ |url-status=dead }}

On 3 June 2019, McAlister signed a one-year extension, committing himself to the club until 10 June 2020.{{cite web |url=https://gmfc.net/2019/06/03/jim-mcalister-signs-contract-extension/ |title=Jim McAlister signs contract extension|date=3 June 2019 |access-date=3 June 2019 |first=Greenock |last=Morton |publisher=Greenock Morton F.C.}}

McAlister retired from playing football in January 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/19050336.ton-rocked-sudden-retirement-club-captain/ |title=Morton rocked by sudden retirement of club captain Jim McAlister |first=Russell |last=Steele |newspaper=Greenock Telegraph |date=29 January 2021 |access-date=3 February 2021}}

Post playing career

He joined Rangers in 2021 as a Kitman.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jimmy-bell-given-full-rangers-23710937|title=Jimmy Bell given full Rangers backing as legendary kitman 'going nowhere' despite new Ibrox hire|newspaper=Daily Record|date=13 March 2021}} He was promoted to chief Kitman following the sudden death of Jimmy Bell in May 2022.

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|OtherIncludes matches played in Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Football League play-offs and Football League Trophy !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals
rowspan="9"\|Greenock Morton \|2002–03{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2002\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Third Division \|7Includes 2 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. {{cite web\|title=Morton 2–1 Albion Rovers\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2394588/Bells-Scottish-League-Third-Division.html\|work=The Telegraph\|date=19 January 2003\|access-date=4 June 2003}} & {{cite web\|title=Queen's Park 0–1 Morton\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2397652/Bells-Scottish-League-Third-Division.html\|work=The Telegraph\|date=9 March 2003\|access-date=4 June 2016}}	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
2003–04{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2003\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Second Division \|9Includes 3 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. {{cite web\|title=Forfar 2–1 Morton\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2372636/Bells-Scottish-Football-League-Championship-Second-Division.html\|work=The Telegraph\|date=8 February 2004\|access-date=4 June 2016}}, {{cite web\|title=Berwick 2–0 Morton\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2377636/Bells-Scottish-Football-League-Championship-Second-Division.html\|work=The Telegraph\|date=25 April 2004\|access-date=4 June 2016}} & {{cite web\|title=Dumbarton 3–0 Morton\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2378065/Bells-Scottish-Football-League-Championship-Second-Division.html\|work=The Telegraph\|date=2 May 2004\|access-date=4 June 2016}}	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
2004–05{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2004\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Second Division \|36	2	3Includes 2 matches not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. {{cite web\|title=Morton 3–1 East Stirlingshire\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4025845.stm\|publisher=BBC Sport\|date=23 November 2004\|access-date=4 June 2016}} & {{cite web\|title=Cove Rangers 1–7 Morton\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4081629.stm\|publisher=BBC Sport\|date=11 December 2004\|access-date=4 June 2016}}	0	2	0	1	0	42	2
2005–06{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2005\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Second Division \|35	4	2	0	1	0	6	0	44	4
2006–07{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2006\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Second Division \|36	5	3	0	1	0	4	0	44	5
2007–08{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2007\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish First Division \|36	4	4	1	1	0	4Includes 1 Scottish Challenge Cup match not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. {{cite web\|title=East Stirlingshire 0–4 Morton\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7000352.stm\|publisher=BBC Sport\|date=18 September 2007\|access-date=4 June 2016}}	1	45	6
2008–09{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2008\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish First Division \|35	0	1	0	3	1	3Includes 1 Scottish Challenge Cup match not listed on Soccerbase or Soccerway. {{cite web\|title=Queen of the South 0–2 Morton\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7600903.stm\|publisher=BBC Sport\|date=7 September 2008\|access-date=4 June 2016}}	0	42	1
2009–10{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2009\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish First Division \|30	1	3	0	2	0	2	0	37	1
colspan="2"\|Total !224	16	18	1	10	1	20	1	272	19
rowspan="3"\|Hamilton Academical \|2010–11{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2010\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Premier League \|19	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	22	0
2011–12{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2011\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish First Division \|36	1	2	0	1	0	5	0	44	1
colspan="2"\|Total !55	1	4	0	2	0	5	0	66	1
rowspan="4"\|Dundee \|2012–13{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2012\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Premier League \|38	3	3	2	1	0	0	0	42	5
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2013\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Championship \|36	4	1	0	2	1	3	0	42	5
2014–15{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2014\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|Scottish Premiership \|37	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	41	2
colspan="2"\|Total !111	9	6	2	5	1	3	0	125	12
rowspan="4"\|Blackpool \|2015–16{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2015\|access-date=29 September 2019}} \|League One \|44	0	0	0	1	0	1Appearances in the Football League Trophy	0	46	0
2016–17{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2016\|access-date=18 July 2017}} \|League Two \|22	0	5	0	2	1	3	0	32	1
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2017\|access-date=17 February 2019}} \|League One \|1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
colspan="2"\|Total !67	0	5	0	3	1	5	0	80	1
rowspan=3\|Greenock Morton \|2018–19{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2018\|access-date=17 February 2019}} \|Scottish Championship \|33	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	40	0
2019–20{{soccerbase season\|34340\|2019\|access-date=21 July 2019}} \|Scottish Championship \|23	3	3	0	5	0	0	0	31	3
colspan=2\|Total !56	3	6	0	9	0	0	0	71	3
colspan="3"\|Career total !513	29	39	3	29	3	33	1	614	36