1998-2002 Newcastle utd.

After signing for Newcastle Utd for 1.8 million at 17 years old, he went on to play for 3 managers. Sir Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson. It was Sir Bobby Robson who handed James his Premier league debut in 2000 against Tottenham Hotspur, partnering Alan Shearer in attack.

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2002-2004 Exeter City FC

Then joining Exeter City in 2002 James was unfortunately part of the team that got relegated out of the Football League. The following season reluctant to go back he rejoined and helped his teammates almost reach the playoffs, just to miss out on the last game of the season.

2004-2021 Doncaster Rovers FC

After signing for Doncaster Rovers in 2004 James went on to make 695 appearances, breaking the all time appearance record. Winning his first trophy with the club in 2007.

The JPT Trophy at The Millenium Stadium.

Then in 2008 scoring a hat trick in the playoff semi-final to secure a place at Wembley against Leeds Utd.

Doncaster would go on to beat them 1-0 to secure promotion to the Championship

for the first time in 55 years and stay there for 4 seasons.

In 2012 James scored one of the most memorable goals in EFL History on the last day of the season against Brentford FC. and secured promotion back to the championship as Champions.

In 2015 James captained Doncaster Rovers to promotion scoring a personal best 10 goals and 15 assists at the age of 36.

Winning DRFC player of the season & getting in the PFA Team of the season.

In 2021 at 40 years old James finally retired from professional football amassing over 800 career games,

Winning the EFL Sir Tom Finney Award and gaining freedom of the borough of Doncaster for his outstanding loyalty to Doncaster Rovers football club.