Jimmy, an inside forward, began his career with Distillery during World War One. After making his debut in January 1915, Ferris was part of the team which won the County Antrim Shield the same year, and the following season scored the only goal as Distillery won the Belfast Charity Cup against Linfield.

After joining Belfast Celtic in 1917, he won the Irish Cup with Celtic in his first season, and the League title the following season. Celtic would then withdraw from the League in 1920, shortly after Ferris had scored their final goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Glenavon.

With Celtic not in action, Jimmy signed for Chelsea in September 1920, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 defeat against Bolton Wanderers. He would go on to make 39 appearances for the Stamford Bridge club, scoring 6 goals in total before leaving for Preston North End in 1922.

Jimmy made 53 appearances for Preston, scoring 11 goals and would go on to make two appearances for Pontypridd in the Southern League before returning to Belfast in October 1924.

After rejoining Celtic, he was part of a very successful side who won the Irish League four seasons in succession between 1925 and 1929, as well as the Irish Cup in the 1925–26 season.
He made his Ireland debut against England during the 1919-20 British Home Championship, scoring a 70th minute equaliser. He would make 6 international appearances in total.

He was forced to retire from football in 1930 after being diagnosed with a heart condition, but remained with Celtic in a scouting capacity, where he was credited with bringing Davy 'Boy' Martin to the club.

Jimmy died on 10 October 1932 and was buried in Milltown Cemetery. His son, Raymond would later go on to follow in his father's footsteps as an Ireland international.

Jimmy, an inside forward, began his career with Distillery during World War One. After making his debut in January 1915, Ferris was part of the team which won the County Antrim Shield the same year, and the following season scored the only goal as Distillery won the Belfast Charity Cup against Linfield.

After joining Belfast Celtic in 1917, he won the Irish Cup with Celtic in his first season, and the League title the following season. Celtic would then withdraw from the League in 1920, shortly after Ferris had scored their final goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Glenavon.

With Celtic not in action, Jimmy signed for Chelsea in September 1920, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 defeat against Bolton Wanderers. He would go on to make 39 appearances for the Stamford Bridge club, scoring 6 goals in total before leaving for Preston North End in 1922.

Jimmy made 53 appearances for Preston, scoring 11 goals and would go on to make two appearances for Pontypridd in the Southern League before returning to Belfast in October 1924.

After rejoining Celtic, he was part of a very successful side who won the Irish League four seasons in succession between 1925 and 1929, as well as the Irish Cup in the 1925–26 season.
He made his Ireland debut against England during the 1919-20 British Home Championship, scoring a 70th minute equaliser. He would make 6 international appearances in total.

He was forced to retire from football in 1930 after being diagnosed with a heart condition, but remained with Celtic in a scouting capacity, where he was credited with bringing Davy 'Boy' Martin to the club.

Jimmy died on 10 October 1932 and was buried in Milltown Cemetery. His son, Raymond would later go on to follow in his father's footsteps as an Ireland international.