James Elsby (1 August 1928 â 7 September 1987) was an English footballer. A full-back, he played 12 games in the Football League for Port Vale in a seven-year career at the club from 1948 to 1955. He helped the club to win the Third Division North title in 1953âÂÂ54. His nephew, Ian Elsby, also played for Port Vale.
Elsby joined Port Vale as an amateur in November 1948 and signed as a professional in May 1949. He made his debut in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace at the Old Recreation Ground on 7 May 1949, as Bill McGarry was rested. This was his only appearance of the 1948âÂÂ49 season. He played two Third Division South games in 1949âÂÂ50. He also played twice in April 1953, as Stan Turner was rested, as manager Freddie Steele led the club to a second-place finish in the Third Division North in 1952âÂÂ53. He filled in for seven games for Derek Tomkinson and Turner in 1953âÂÂ54, as the "Valiants" finished the campaign as champions. He did not feature at Vale Park in the Second Division 1954âÂÂ55 campaign, and moved on to Wereton Queen's Park.
Port Vale