James Elliot Donnelly (18 December 1893 – 3 June 1959) was an Irish professional football player and manager.

As a player, he played as a full back in the Football League for Blackburn Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Southend United, Brentford and Thames.

[1][4] After his retirement as a player, Donnelly became a manager and coach and as part of an FA coaching programme,[2] he was sent abroad and managed Građanski Zagreb, Turkey and Amsterdamsche FC.

[5][6][7][8][9] He also held coaching roles at Thames, in Belgium and at AS Ambrosiana-Inter.

[2][10] Donnelly served in the Royal Artillery during the First World War.