Jimmy Loughlin

James Loughlin (9 October 1905 – after 1933) was an English footballer who scored 46 goals from 93 appearances in the Football League playing for Newcastle United, West Ham United, Coventry City and Darlington. Primarily a centre forward, he also played in Ireland for Dolphin and Bray Unknowns and in English non-league football for Darlington Railway Athletic, Worcester City and Northwich Victoria.[1]

Jimmy Loughlin
Personal information
Full name James Loughlin[1]
Date of birth (1905-10-09)9 October 1905[1]
Place of birth Darlington, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Darlington Railway Athletic
1924–1927 Newcastle United 12 (5)
1927–1929 West Ham United 10 (4)
1929–1931 Coventry City 61 (32)
Dolphin
1931 Bray Unknowns
1931–1932 Worcester City (34)
Northwich Victoria
1933–1934 Darlington 10 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early career

Loughlin was born in Darlington, County Durham,[1] where he worked on the railway and played football for Darlington Railway Athletic.[3] After a trial with Newcastle United, in which he scored for the club's North-Eastern League team,[4] he signed as a professional in November 1924.[5] He made his first-team debut on 27 December in a goalless draw away to Huddersfield Town in the First Division, on a pitch described by the Yorkshire Post as practically under water.[6][7] His next appearance was in September 1925: he scored a hat-trick as Newcastle beat Leicester City 3–2.[6] He kept his place for a few weeks, and scored once more, before returning to the reserves until near the end of the season.[6] In 1926–27, he stood in when Hughie Gallacher was away on international duty in October,[8] but appeared only once for the first team thereafter, and finished the season as reserve-team top scorer "with about 40 goals to his name".[9]

He was transfer-listed by Newcastle,[10] and together with two teammates, George Robson and Harry Smith, signed for fellow First Division club West Ham United in May 1927.[9] Loughlin made his West Ham debut on 3 September, replacing the injured Vic Watson for the league match against Huddersfield Town. He scored the opening goal within five minutes of the start, and West Ham went on to win 4–2.[11][12] The following week, at home to Portsmouth, he scored twice as West Ham came back from 2–0 down with 25 minutes remaining to again win 4–2.[13] In the next match, he played alongside Watson, who again suffered an injury,[14] and Loughlin played in the next five matches, without scoring, before losing his place. He played twice more, at the end of the season, scoring in a 3–3 draw with Birmingham, and was retained for 1928–29.[11] He continued to score freely for the London Combination team, but was unable to dislodge either Vivian Gibbins or Victor Watson – both England internationals – from the senior team.[15]

Coventry City

At the beginning of January 1929, he and teammate Danny Shone were sold to Coventry City of the Third Division South for what were described as substantial fees.[16] According to the Coventry Evening Telegraph, it was Loughlin's "desire to get a chance in League football which was the deciding factor in inducing him to come to Coventry."[15] Loughlin made his debut in a 3–0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, and the following week, at home to Fulham, converted a cross from Ernie Toseland to open the scoring after half an hour, but Coventry were unable to retain their lead and lost 2–1.[17][18] He scored twice in the next match, away to Exeter City. The first was a tap-in after Toseland's shot rebounded to him off the goalpost, the second, to clinch a 3–1 win, came from a solo run in which he dribbled past centre-half, both backs and the goalkeeper to walk the ball into the net.[19] He missed only one match in what remained of the season, with a thigh injury in February.[20] His form varied,[21] as did that of the team,[22] and he finished the campaign with eight goals from 19 league appearances – only two players scored more.[23]

Ahead of the 1929–30 season, the Coventry Telegraph speculated that, with the return to full fitness of Billy Kirton and Alf Widdowson, Loughlin would be competing with John Starsmore for the centre-forward position.[22] Loughlin began the season in possession, but an injury in the opening match caused him to miss the next five fixtures.[24][25] Returning at inside left with Starsmore in the centre,[26] Loughlin scored Coventry's second goal in a 3–1 win away to Watford, and contributed five goals in the next five matches, but changes made to try and "stop the rot" of too many defeats meant he spent the next few weeks out of the team.[25][27] Brought back into the team at the last minute for the home match against Gillingham on 23 November,[28] he scored twice in a 5–0 win, and this time kept his place apart from two brief absences through injury.[25][29] From 35 appearances in league and FA Cup, he scored 30 goals, which made him Coventry's top scorer by a distance; his 24 goals from 31 league matches helped his club finish sixth in the division.[30]

Despite his goalscoring, Loughlin was not universally popular at Coventry. Writing in the Evening Telegraph, the pseudonymous "Nemo" suggested that inconsistency may have been the reason:

... although there are many who have never taken kindly to Loughlin since he came to the City, I don't think it can be said for one moment that he has not given the club good service. Loughlin is a player with extremes of temperament. Either he can do hardly anything right, or he can do nothing wrong, We have seen him in the latter mood when he has scored brilliant goals by dint of really clever play; at other times we have seen him miss chances a centre-forward often only dreams about.[31]

He began the 1930–31 season in the senior team, but after two matches he showed little sign of regaining his previous season's form, and lost his place to new signing Jack Phillips.[32] After scoring freely in the reserves, he came back into the first team at inside right for the visit to Brentford on 18 October, "played a nice constructive game", and scored in a 2–1 win.[33] He kept his place for three of the next four matches, but thereafter made only five appearances without scoring in the rest of the season.[25] He was transfer listed at a fee of £700; although that figure was reduced on appeal,[34] he was unable to find another Football League club.

Later career

In 1931, Loughlin spent time in Ireland, where he joined up with Dolphin[1] and played in the Free State League for Bray Unknowns.[35] By 10 October, he was back in England with Worcester City, where he earned himself a reputation as a "crack marksman",[36] scoring 34 goals as his team finished as runners-up in the Birmingham League.[37] He then played for Cheshire County League side Northwich Victoria[1] before, in May 1933, Coventry granted him a free transfer,[38] facilitating his return to the Football League with Darlington of the Third Division North. The Sunderland Echo had high hopes:

It will be interesting to see how Jimmy Loughlin fares at Feethams during the coming season. When he was a Newcastle United player this former Darlington R.A. centre forward was never properly appreciated, but the St. James's Park officials have signed many a worse forward since Jimmy shook the Gallowgate dust from off his shooting boots, and although Loughlin has grown no younger since his Magpie days I fancy that Darlington will get a deal of good out of the lad.[39]

He started the season in the first team, and scored four goals in the first few weeks, but the arrival of centre-forward Jerry Best restricted Loughlin to the role of reserve. He finished the season with five goals from ten league appearances,[40] and was given a free transfer.[41]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 160. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. "Every place duplicated. Coventry's weakness overcome". Athletic News. Manchester. 11 August 1930. p. 6.
  3. "Facts & Fancies. Once a railway lad". Derby Daily Telegraph. 10 October 1925. p. 4. Loughlin, who has put so much life into the Newcastle United attack, used to be employed on the railway at Darlington, and his junior club was Darlington Railway Athletic.
  4. "North Eastern League". Yorkshire Post. 17 November 1924. p. 4.
  5. "No title". Daily Mail. Hull. 21 November 1924. p. 6.
  6. "Player details: Jimmy Loughlin". Toon1892. Kenneth H Scott. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  7. "Huddersfield Town's poor reward". Yorkshire Post. 29 December 1924. p. 3. As a result of the strenuous Christmas matches, Huddersfield had to make two changes ... Newcastle had a reserve centre forward, Loughlin.
  8. "Teams for to-morrow's matches". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 29 October 1926. p. 7. In the absence of Hugh Gallacher, who will lead Scotland's forward line against Wales at Glasgow to-morrow, Newcastle United will be severely handicapped when they attempt to maintain their unbeaten record in nine preceding games against Sunderland at Roker Park to-morrow. Loughlin has been selected to understudy the famous Scottish international centre forward.
  9. "Football transfers. Newcastle forwards for West Ham". Evening News. Portsmouth. 6 May 1927. p. 9. Only Loughlin has had experience of First League football, and he scored three goals against Leicester City last season. Loughlin is the leading scorer for the Newcastle Reserves, with about 40 goals to his name, and the other new West Ham players are considered very promising.
  10. "Sporting items". Nottingham Evening Post. 3 March 1927. p. 8.
  11. "James Loughlin". WestHamStats.info. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  12. 'A Corinthian' (9 September 1927). "Football Notes. With the pros". Chelmsford Chronicle. p. 6. Loughlin, the Hammers' new centre-forward, started brilliantly, scoring within five minutes.
  13. 'A Corinthian' (16 September 1927). "Football Notes. With the pros". Chelmsford Chronicle. p. 6. Loughlin, who again deputised successfully for Watson at centre forward, equalised from close range; and after Ruffell had put West Ham ahead, Loughlin completed his double.
  14. Reflector (22 September 1927). "All to-day's sporting gossip". Daily Mirror. London. p. 19.
  15. "Coventry City F.C. Team to meet Brighton". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 2 January 1929. p. 4.
  16. "Coventry City strengthen attack". Western Morning News. Plymouth. 3 January 1929. p. 12.
  17. "Bantams beaten 2–1 despite first-half lead". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 12 January 1929. p. 5.
  18. "Jimmy Loughlin". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  19. Nemo (21 January 1929). "Exeter outplayed. Bantams' polished display. Loughlin scores a wonder goal". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 5. Thus, within a few minutes of the end, the City found themselves bolding a precarious 2–1 lead, despite their marked superiority and it was left to Loughlin to make the issue safe with a goal which will live long in the memory of at least the Coventry portion of the attendance. Exeter people may prefer to forget it out of deference to their defenders. Loughlin fastened on to a ball from some loose play in midfield, cleverly tricked the centre-half, and made tracks for goal. Both backs tackled him in turn and were left behind, and then Loughlin had only Campbell to beat. The home goalie advanced to meet his man, only to see Loughlin dribble past him, and then walk calmly into the net with the ball at his feet. It was an amazingly-fine solo effort.
  20. "Coventry City F.C. Team to meet Luton at Highfield Road". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 21 February 1929. p. 2.
  21. Nemo (18 February 1929). "City missed chances". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 4. Loughlin's leadership kept the line working at its smoothest, but he, also, showed a goalmouth hesitancy and a desire to place his shots, which only resulted in a lack of power behind the ball ...
    "City at Gillingham". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 April 1929. p. 6. Loughlin's improved form in the goalscoring realm has brought a new ray of hope to an attack which has lacked finish above all else ...
  22. Nemo (3 August 1929). "What prospects. Peep into Bantams' future". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 4. Last year, you may remember, the team went off like a rocket and finished in a way rather reminiscent of a damp squib.
  23. "All Coventry City football club players: 1929". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  24. Nemo (3 September 1929). "Bantams' vigour wins the day". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 4.
  25. "Jimmy Loughlin: Club matches: Coventry City". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  26. "Reorganised forward line". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 20 September 1929. p. 8.
  27. "Stop the rot!". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 1 November 1929. p. 4.
  28. "To-morrow's attack. Loughlin to lead forwards". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 23 November 1929. p. 5. We were informed by Coventry City F.C. this afternoon that changes have been necessitated in the teams selected for to- morrow's matches, and which are given elsewhere in this issue. Loughlin will lead the attack.
  29. Nemo (3 March 1930). "Game of poor goals and missed chances". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 4. Loughlin was missed in the centre. It was his type of ground—fast, dry and smooth.
    "Stern test for Bantams". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 30 April 1930. p. 6.
  30. "All Coventry City football club players: 1930". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  31. Nemo (12 April 1930). "Loughlin heads the scoring list". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 2.
  32. "Coventry City F.C. team to meet the Orient". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 4 September 1930. p. 6. Loughlin has been at a loss to find his form as far and it is felt that Phillips will be able to liven up the front line.
  33. Nemo (20 October 1930). "Bees stung". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 3.
  34. "Loughlin to play in Ireland". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 3 September 1931. p. 6.
  35. "Bray Unknowns' new forward". Irish Times. 3 September 1931. p. 13. Bray Unknowns, we are informed, have signed J. Loughlin, a centre forward, who has had four years' experience with Coventry City, and was a high-scoring forward with that club last season.
    "Association football. Old rivals at Milltown. Weekend games forecast". Irish Times. 5 September 1931. p. 13. I hear that Bray's last capture at centre-forward, Loughlin, of Coventry, is a decided acquisition, who will liven up the whole attack.
    "Dolphin's fine half line". Irish Times. 7 September 1931. p. 11. Loughlin made a sound debut in strange company, and could not be left alone.
    "Waterford's recovery at Bray". Irish Times. 28 September 1931. p. 13. Before the close, Loughlin reduced Bray's arrears.
  36. "Heaviest defeat for four years". Derby Daily Telegraph. 22 February 1932. p. 6.
  37. "Worcester City Season 1931–1932". Worcester City FC Archive. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  38. "Coventry City F.C. Young reserve right-half signed up. Free transfers for several former players". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 11 May 1933. p. 6.
  39. 'The Prowler' (12 August 1933). "Peeps into the dressing-rooms. Casey confounds his critics. New chums at Feethams". Sunderland Echo. p. 7.
  40. Tweddle, Frank (2000). The Definitive Darlington F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-899468-15-7.
  41. "Darlington's retained". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 2 April 1934. p. 11.
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