James Denby (6 July 1892 – 14 October 1977)[1] was an English footballer, who played as a half back for Southampton in the Southern League from 1911 to 1915.
In the summer of 1911 Southampton's new manager George Swift spent £820 recruiting 11 new players including a return to his former club to sign Denby.
[2] Playing alongside Bert Lee and Jim McAlpine, he became an integral part of the team's defence up to the suspension of football in 1915.
According to Holley & Chalk's "The Alphabet of the Saints", Denby was "a strong, reliable player (who) played in all three half-back positions with equal merit and was the team's defensive pivot.
He continued to give the club sterling service up to the outbreak of World War I when he retired from professional football.