1. Early life and background
James Archibald Platt was born on January 26, 1952, in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
2. Playing career
Jim Platt's playing career as a professional goalkeeper included significant time at both club and international levels.
2.1. Club career
Platt spent the majority of his club career at Middlesbrough. He also played for Hartlepool United, Cardiff City, and Ballymena United. During a junior match in Northern Ireland, Platt notably conceded a hat-trick of goals from outside the box to Kenny McKillop.
2.2. International career
Platt earned 23 caps for the Northern Ireland national football team as a goalkeeper. His international appearances were largely limited due to the prominent presence of fellow legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings in the national squad. Platt was also a member of the Northern Ireland team that won the final British Home Championship tournament. He was included in the Northern Ireland squads for both the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
3. Managerial and coaching career
After concluding his playing career, Jim Platt transitioned into football management and coaching roles.
3.1. Managerial roles
Platt's first managerial position was with Ballymena United for the 1984-85 season. Following this, he had a more extended spell at Coleraine, managing the team for six years from 1985 to 1991. In the 1991-92 season, he had a brief stint managing Ballyclare Comrades. For the 1992-93 season, Platt took charge of the Swedish club Assyriska, which competed in the Swedish First Division. He later managed Darlington for two seasons, initially sharing the role with David Hodgson and then serving as the sole manager during the 1995-96 season. After his tenure at Darlington, he left full-time management to take up a role with Gateshead, where records indicate he was the manager in 1997.
3.2. Coaching roles
Beyond his direct managerial appointments, Platt held various coaching roles. He served as Middlesbrough's Chief Coach at their Football Community Centre. He also operated a private football school for local primary school children in the Middlesbrough and Stockton areas. In May 2009, Platt was appointed as the goalkeeping coach for Darlington, but he departed from the club three months later following the sacking of manager Colin Todd.
4. Political career
In 2019, Jim Platt entered local politics, successfully being elected to Middlesbrough Council in the Kader ward. He represented the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association. Platt was re-elected to his council position in 2023.
5. Personal life
Jim Platt is connected to other notable figures in sports through his family. His niece, Angela Platt, is a former goalkeeper who played for both the Ireland women's national field hockey team and the Northern Ireland women's national football team. His nephew, David Platt, who is Angela's brother, also played professional football as a goalkeeper for clubs such as Limavady United, Finn Harps, and Derry City. David Platt later followed in his uncle's footsteps, becoming a manager for Coleraine and Limavady United.
6. Honours
| Club/National Team | Competition | Season/Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | Second Division Championship | 1973-74 | Winner |
| Darlington | Third Division Play-off | 1995-96 | Runner-up |
| Northern Ireland | British Home Championship | (last played) | Winner |