Dundee had in 1902-3 finished as runners-up to Hibernian in the Scottish League. In 1903-4 they were to be fifth as from mid-table Third Lanark swept past everyone. And those performances plus international recognition clearly attracted attention from Down South. But it was not initially from the usual sources. He joined Fulham, then still in the Southern League, albeit the lower reaches, but, being outwith the wage-cap, probably paying more. And there he stayed for a season and mid-table safety before a move to Arsenal in the English top-flight, three more campaigns and three more caps, including two against England, both draws. 

However, in 1908 for some reason Jimmy returned to Scotland,. It was to Glasgow and Rangers but for only a few, short months. By January he was back in London, indeed back at Fulham but seemingly still not settled. Out of contract between seasons in 1910 he took himself off to the USA and did not return until October. But once back he seemed to settle, re-joining Fulham once more for two seasons and a half and a final of five caps, living right by the ground, before, aged thirty-one, transferring a mile up the road and actually up a level to Chelsea for a final three. That was until football was eventually suspended in 1915 and then returned to Scotland, to Dundee and to sign on with the Black Watch. 

In the Great War Jimmy Sharp served in France and was wounded and captured in early 1918, spending eight months as a POW before returning home, to the game and to Craven Cottage once more but this time as a trainer under Scottish managers, Phil Kelso and then Andy Ducat. However, with the arrival of Joe Bradshaw he was on his way, to Walsall until 1928, to Cliftonville in Belfast for 1928-29, then in a final move out of the game altogether. However, it was not across the North Channel but to Hammersmith.