James Watson (4 October 1877 – 12 June 1942) was a Scottish footballer who played at left back.
Watson was born in Motherwell and played for Burnbank Athletic before joining Clyde.
The following season he only missed two games as Sunderland finished runners-up, with Watson and Andy McCombie teaming up in front of goal-keeper Ned Doig.
[4] In 1901–02 Watson only missed one game, as Sunderland claimed the Championship by a three-point margin over Everton.
In the next match, against England on 4 April, Watson was teamed in defence with his Sunderland colleagues, Doig and McCombie, resulting in a Scottish victory by 2 goals to 1.