Jim Baxter

Jim Baxter

Jim Baxter

Jim Baxter (29 September 1939 – 14 April 2001) was a Scottish forward, nicknamed 'Slim Jim', a folk-hero at Glasgow Rangers and one of the most gifted players in Scottish football history.  Born in Hill o'Beath, Fifeshire, Baxter began work down the mines while playing junior football with local side, Crossgates Primrose. He continued his day job after signing part-time for Raith Rovers in 1957 before moving to Rangers in June 1960 for a fee of £17,500.  He won the first of 34 full international caps a few months later. He was an unhurried attacking wing-half whose lazy-looking left-footed skill somehow created time to spare on the ball.   Scottish fans remember him most for the two goals he scored in Scotland's 2-1 triumph over England in 1963 and his contribution to the Scottish 3-2 victory over World Cup winners England in 1967.  Football historian Bob Crampsey, recalled: 'That's a defining moment for almost every football fan in Scotland irrespective of where their club allegiance lies.  Baxter going up and down that left wing at no great pace, keeping the ball off the deck with 90,000 people there was phenomenal.  England had no idea what to do about it and Baxter was not about to solve that problem for them - it was a wonderful moment.' Inspired by Baxter, Rangers clinched three League championships and reached three Scottish Cup Finals and four League Cup Finals in a five year spell.  He transferred to Sunderland in 1965 and two years later to Nottingham Forest before returning to Rangers.  Baxter's time south of the border was spent with clubs trying to avoid relegation and his form declined as he put on weight and, as he puts it in his autobiography, because of his liking for 'bets, birds and booze'.  Many believe he was never the same after breaking his leg against Rapid Vienna in 1964.   

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