Slavin, James

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Fullname: James Slavin
aka: Jim Slavin, Big Jim Slavin, Honey, The Honey Monster
Born: 18 Jan 1975
Birthplace: Lanark, South Lanarkshire
Signed: 24 Dec 1992
Left: 15 Mar 1996
Position: Defender
Debut: Celtic 1-1 Dundee Utd, League , 7 Jan 1995
Internationals: none

Biog

Lanark-born Jim Slavin was a product of Celtic Boys Club who made a total of three first team appearances for the Hoops.

The big defender made all his appearances for the Bhoys in the miserable league campaign of 1994/95 with his debut coming in the 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United on January 7th 1995, in which he won good feedback for his performance.

He recalled about his debut as follows, and manager Tommy Burns stated also that Jim Slavin had given him food for thought:

“I found out about 11am on Saturday morning that I would be playing against United,” he said, “and it was a good experience. I had played against Craig Brewster in the reserves and so I knew what to expect from him. I wouldn’t say he caused me any great problems.”
“I can’t say I had any problems either with the pace of the game and I believe that when a younger player gets a chance like this it offers hope for others.”

His next matches followed straight after with a 1-1 draw with Hearts and then a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

Journalist Graham Spiers in a match report described him positively as:

“Slavin looks right out of the old school: hard, brawny, not a poser’s instinct to be found anywhere in his head. That’s how we breed ’em. “

Despite the short run, it just wasn’t to be for him at Celtic. The club were in transition with a new board, manager and team. Add in the desperation to try to stop Rangers reaching 9-in-a-row, and it was no easy time for anyone. Celtic didn’t have a great season overall, and playing at Hampden (current home whilst Celtic Park was being rebuilt) was not proving conducive to Celtic’s rehabilitation. A better environment might have helped Jim Slavin.

Jim moved on to Partick Thistle in March 1996 but after a steady start with the Jags his continued battle with a weight problem saw him out of the first team picture at Firhill.

He joined Ross County on a free in January 1998 but only remained until the end of the season just as Celtic finally had won the league to stop Rangers march to ten-in-a-row. It just wasn’t to be for Jim Slavin. He went on to play in junior football with Wishaw Juniors.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

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From PTFC Info site

JIM SLAVIN – APPS 33 GLS 0

source: http://www.ptfcnet.co.uk/players/90/p13.html

Nicknamed, not inappropriately, “The Honey Monster” by the Thistle fans, Slavin made the switch from Celtic Park to Firhill towards the end of the 95/96 season. Was an ever present in the Thistle team until the end of the season, playing in both play-off games with Dundee United and was a regular in the first team at the start of the following season. However, a long-standing problem with his weight never improved and he lost his place in the side and was given a free transfer at the season’s conclusion.

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