Carlton Brownlow medallist and Team of the Century star John James has died after a long illness. He was 76.

James joined the Blues from famous football nursery St Pats College in Ballarat and played the first of his 195 VFL games as a 19-year-old in 1953, before going on to make his mark on the half-back line.

He won the Blues' best and fairest award in 1955, 1960 and 1961, with the third club championship coinciding with him becoming Carlton's second Brownlow medallist.

James also represented Victoria 15 times.

He left Carlton in 1963 to coach Victorian country side Robinvale, a job he held for six years.

Blues president Stephen Kernahan said the club was the poorer for the loss of the "much revered" James.

"I know that I speak for all connected with Carlton in extending my deepest sympathies to the James family at this sad time," Kernahan said.

"I never saw John James play, but it's clear that his impact on the Carlton Football Club was immense.

"He was this club's second Brownlow Medallist - one of only five Carlton players in the history of the count to realise that rare honour - and was the first Carlton player to achieve three club best and fairest awards.

"In an era when team successes were all too rare, this was one Carlton footballer whose individual brilliance supporters came to see."

One of James' sons Michael played 12 senior games for Carlton in 1991 and another, Paul, represented the club at under-19 and reserve grade level.

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