James Beech (1871; date of death unknown) was an English footballer who played as a centre-half for Burslem Port Vale between 1894 and 1902, making 205 appearances in all competitions.
Career Beech played for Smallthorne St. Saviour and Smallthorne Albion before joining Burslem Port Vale in May 1894. He made 14 Second Division appearances in the 1894–95 season, but featured just twice in the 1895–96 campaign. The club then spent two seasons in the Midland League, and Beech was part of the side that won the Staffordshire Senior Cup in 1898. Vale were then re-elected into the Football League. Beech played 31 league games in the 1898–99 season and scored goals at the Athletic Ground in wins over Burton Swifts, Blackpool, and Lincoln City. He played 31 league matches in the 1899–1900 and 1900–01 campaigns, and claimed goals against Burton Swifts, Birmingham City, and Glossop. However, in November 1901 he became seriously ill and retired from football at the end of the 1901–02 season. His benefit match was held against rivals Stoke on 15 April 1901; Vale won the game 2–1.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBurslem Port Vale1894–95Second Division14010101601895–96Second Division200000201896–97Midland League24120503111897–98Midland League18051502811898–99Second Division31430604041899–1900Second Division31140604111900–01Second Division31210203421901–02Second Division1002010130Total16181812602059
Honours Burslem Port Vale Staffordshire Senior Cup: 1898
References