James Campbell will be primarily associated with Clyde, with whom he joined from junior team Benburb in 1943. He remained at Shawfield for over a decade, with the highlight being the Scottish Cup Final of 1949, but fell out with the club in 1954. He spent a season at Queen of the South and a season at Montrose before he was appointed Manager of Troon Juniors in 1957.

Jimmy was capped by Scotland against Belgium on 23rd January 1946, the match ending 2-2 at Hampden thanks to a double from Jimmy Delaney.

On leaving the game he worked at Prestwick Airport from 1958 until his retiral in 1980 and lived nearby in Monkton. Jimmy passed away on 1st October 2004.

CAREER