| James Sharp | |
| Fullname: | James Sharp |
| Height: | 6ft 2in |
| Birth Date: | 1976 1, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Reading, England |
| Position: | Defender |
| Youthclubs1: | Andover |
| Years1: | 2000–2003 |
| Years2: | 2003–2005 |
| Years3: | 2005 |
| Years4: | 2005–2006 |
| Years5: | 2006 |
| Years6: | 2006–2007 |
| Years7: | 2007–2008 |
| Clubs1: | Hartlepool United |
| Clubs2: | Falkirk |
| Clubs3: | → Brechin City (loan) |
| Clubs4: | Torquay United |
| Clubs5: | Shrewsbury Town |
| Clubs6: | Rochdale |
| Clubs7: | Airdrie United |
| Caps1: | 49 |
| Caps2: | 34 |
| Caps3: | 13 |
| Caps4: | 32 |
| Caps5: | 0 |
| Caps6: | 12 |
| Caps7: | 8 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Goals2: | 1 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Goals6: | 1 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 19:18, 7 April 2008 (UTC) |
James Sharp (born 2 January 1976) is an English professional football player, who played as a defender.
Sharp was a relative latecomer to the professional game, having signed his first contract at the age of 24, an event preceded by a spell at non-league Andover. He started his professional football career with Hartlepool United in 2000. After 60 appearances in three years with Hartlepool & a player of the year award, Sharp fell out of favour at Hartlepool and moved to Scottish club Falkirk on a free transfer in 2003.
After a year-and-a-half with the Bairns, Sharp was loaned out to Brechin City in February 2005 until the end of the season. In which time, Sharp helped Brechin to the Division 2 title along with picking up a winners medal for Falkirk in same season as Falkirk claimed the Division 1 title. Sharp made his return to England with a free transfer to Torquay United in August 2005. Playing in 32 league matches in the 2005-06 season, Sharp was named captain of the club, but was released at the season's end.
After spending pre-season training with the club, Sharp was signed by Shrewsbury Town on a one-month contract on 8 August 2006. However, on 24 August 2006, Sharp chose to terminate the contract to pursue other options.[1] He had played just 10 minutes for Shrewsbury — the final ten minutes of the League Cup first round match at Birmingham City, where Birmingham won via a late goal.[2]
Sharp was subsequently signed by Rochdale, debuting for them on 2 September 2006 in the 1–1 draw at home to Hereford United. His first goal for the club came against Shrewsbury, on 30 September, just a month after leaving them.
He was released by Rochdale at the end of the 2006-07 season and was signed by Scottish Second Division club Airdrie United.[3] After a spell of 6 months with Airdrie, Sharp was forced to retire from the professional game through an achilles injury.