Jimmy Corbett

This article is about the footballer. For other uses, see Jim Corbett.

James John Corbett (born 6 July 1980) is an English retired footballer. He played in the Football League for Gillingham, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth, Darlington and Southend United before dropping into non-League football.

Jimmy Corbett

Personal information
Full name	James John Corbett
Date of birth	(1980-07-06) 6 July 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Hackney, London, England
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1996	Gillingham
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–1998	Gillingham	17	(2)
1998–2003	Blackburn Rovers	0	(0)
2000	→ Portsmouth (loan)	0	(0)
2003	→ Darlington (loan)	10	(2)
2003–2005	Southend United	23	(2)
2005	→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)	?	(?)
2005	Margate	1	(0)
2005–2006	Welling United	?	(?)
2006–2008	Folkestone Invicta	?	(?)
2009	Faversham Town	?	(?)
2010–2011	Herne Bay	?	(?)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:14, 24 December 2011 (UTC)

Career

A midfielder, Corbett first became recognised while playing at Gillingham. He was playing in the first team at the age of 17^[1] and his performances attracted attention from Premier League teams, leading to him joining Blackburn Rovers in 1998, for a fee of £525,000, potentially rising to £1m depending on appearances.^[2][3] After joining Blackburn, he was unable to find the form that had attracted so many Premier League teams to him, due to extensive injury problems, including two broken ankles.^[1] Without playing a single game for Blackburn in the league, he was sent out on loan to Portsmouth,^[3] and then to Darlington.^[4]

After being released by Blackburn at the end of the 2002–03 season he joined Southend Unitedon a one-year contract,^[4] which was extended by a further year at the conclusion of the 2003–04 season.^[5] He played a minor part in the Southend team until 2005 when he was released again.^[6] He had a trial for Welling United, but a permanent move never materialised. He later joined Folkestone Invicta in 2006 before leaving by mutual consent in December 2008.^[7]

He signed for Kent League side Faversham Town ahead of the 2009–10 season.^[8] Corbett was forced to retire in December 2011, aged 31, after persistent injury problems.^[9]