Former Arbroath and Raith player Jimmy MacEwan

Former Arbroath and Raith Rovers player Jimmy MacEwan, who starred for top English club Aston Villa in the 1960s, has died in Birmingham. He was 88.

The talented winger first made a name for himself when playing for Dundee junior side East Craigie before signing for Arbroath in 1947.

Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Bury all subsequently showed interest in luring him away from Gayfield, but nothing came of it, probably because the player was about to begin his national service with the RAF.

MacEwan,who scored one of the quickest goals ever seen at Gayfield when netting after10secondsinagameagainstDumbarton in January 1951, made 74 league and cup appearances for the Red Lichties, scoring 22 goals, before moving to Raith Rovers in summer 1951 for a fee of £4,000, which was a record for the Kirkcaldy club at the time.

His career blossomed at Stark’s Park and for four seasons in a row he was the club’s top scorer. MacEwan’s performances attracted theattentionofmanyEnglishclubsandinthe summer of 1959, aged 30, he was snapped up by Aston Villa for £6,640.

He stayed at Villa Park, where he became a fans’ favourite, until 1966, making more than 181 appearances and scoring 32 goals.

He helped the Villains win the Second Division title in his first season and the following year celebrated victory in the inaugural League Cup with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Rotherham United.

That was one of the highlights of his time in the Midlands, while one of his biggest disappointments was losing to Wolves in the 1960 FA Cup semi-final.

Other memorable games included a 5-5 draw at Tottenham in March 1966 which was MacEwan’s first appearance of that season, three days before his 37th birthday. Spurs, including former Dundee star Alan Gilzean, led 5-1 but Villa battled back to earn a draw.

He also had fond memories of his last game at Villa Park in April 1966, when he captained Villa and scored his side’s goal in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

After his playing days were over at Villa he joined Walsall where he played until he was in his forties. He then coached and managed at FellowsParkuntil1973.MacEwanlaterworked at Ansells Brewery and was also employed at the Social Security Offices in Handsworth.

He remained in good health until 18 months ago when he was diagnosed with dementia and a heart problem.

MacEwan, who was born in Dundee, is survived by sons Eric and Duncan.

Jimmy MacEwan scored one of the quickest goals ever seen at Gayfield.