Jimmy Loughlin

Loughlin was born in Darlington, County Durham, where he worked on the railway and played football for Darlington Railway Athletic.{{cite news |title=Facts & Fancies. Once a railway lad |newspaper=Derby Daily Telegraph |date=10 October 1925 |page=4 |quote=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.}} After a trial with Newcastle United, in which he scored for the club's North-Eastern League team,{{cite news |title=North Eastern League |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=17 November 1924 |page=4}} he signed as a professional in November 1924.{{cite news |title=No title |newspaper=Daily Mail |location=Hull |date=21 November 1924 |page=6}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://toon1892.com/detail_player.php?id=461 |title=Player details: Jimmy Loughlin |website=Toon1892 |publisher=Kenneth H Scott |accessdate=3 November 2014}}{{cite news |title=Huddersfield Town's poor reward |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=29 December 1924 |page=3 |quote=As a result of the strenuous Christmas matches, Huddersfield had to make two changes ... Newcastle had a reserve centre forward, Loughlin.}} His next appearance was in September 1925: he scored a hat-trick as Newcastle beat Leicester City 3–2. He kept his place for a few weeks, and scored once more, before returning to the reserves until near the end of the season. In 1926–27, he stood in when Hughie Gallacher was away on international duty in October,{{cite news |title=Teams for to-morrow's matches |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=West Hartlepool |date=29 October 1926 |page=7 |quote=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.}} 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".{{cite news |title=Football transfers. Newcastle forwards for West Ham |newspaper=Evening News |location=Portsmouth |date=6 May 1927 |page=9 |quote=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.}}

He was transfer-listed by Newcastle,{{cite news |title=Sporting items |newspaper=Nottingham Evening Post |date=3 March 1927 |page=8}} and together with two teammates, George Robson and Harry Smith, signed for fellow First Division club West Ham United in May 1927. 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.{{cite news |title=Football Notes. With the pros |author=A Corinthian |newspaper=Chelmsford Chronicle |date=9 September 1927 |page=6 |quote=Loughlin, the Hammers' new centre-forward, started brilliantly, scoring within five minutes.}} 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.{{cite news |title=Football Notes. With the pros |author=A Corinthian |newspaper=Chelmsford Chronicle |date=16 September 1927 |page=6 |quote=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.}} In the next match, he played alongside Watson, who again suffered an injury,{{cite news |title=All to-day's sporting gossip |author=Reflector |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=22 September 1927 |page=19}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=2&ham=418&united=James_Loughlin |title=James Loughlin |website=WestHamStats.info |accessdate=23 December 2014}} He continued to score freely for the London Combination team, but was unable to dislodge either Vivian Gibbins or Victor Watson{{snd}}both England internationals{{snd}}from the senior team.{{cite news |title=Coventry City F.C. Team to meet Brighton |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=2 January 1929 |page=4}}

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.{{cite news |title=Coventry City strengthen attack |newspaper=Western Morning News |location=Plymouth |date=3 January 1929 |page=12}} 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." 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.{{cite news |title=Bantams beaten 2–1 despite first-half lead |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=12 January 1929 |page=5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/jimmy-loughlin-46386/ |title=Jimmy Loughlin |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=7 December 2017}} 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.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=Exeter outplayed. Bantams' polished display. Loughlin scores a wonder goal |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=21 January 1929 |page=5 |quote=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.}} He missed only one match in what remained of the season, with a thigh injury in February.{{cite news |title=Coventry City F.C. Team to meet Luton at Highfield Road |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=21 February 1929 |page=2}} His form varied,{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=City missed chances |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=18 February 1929 |page=4 |quote=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 ...}}
{{cite news |title=City at Gillingham |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=5 April 1929 |page=6 |quote=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 ...}} as did that of the team, and he finished the campaign with eight goals from 19 league appearances{{snd}}only two players scored more.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/coventry-city/tab/players/season/1929/ |title=All Coventry City football club players: 1929 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=7 December 2017}}

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.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=What prospects. Peep into Bantams' future |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=3 August 1929 |page=4 |quote=Last year, you may remember, the team went off like a rocket and finished in a way rather reminiscent of a damp squib.}} Loughlin began the season in possession, but an injury in the opening match caused him to miss the next five fixtures.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=Bantams' vigour wins the day |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=3 September 1929 |page=4}} Returning at inside left with Starsmore in the centre,{{cite news |title=Reorganised forward line |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=20 September 1929 |page=8}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/jimmy-loughlin-46386/team/coventry-city/#clubmatches |title=Jimmy Loughlin: Club matches: Coventry City |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=7 December 2017}}{{cite news |title=Stop the rot! |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=1 November 1929 |page=4}} Brought back into the team at the last minute for the home match against Gillingham on 23 November,{{cite news |title=To-morrow's attack. Loughlin to lead forwards |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=23 November 1929 |page=5 |quote=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.}} he scored twice in a 5–0 win, and this time kept his place apart from two brief absences through injury.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=Game of poor goals and missed chances |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=3 March 1930 |page=4 |quote=Loughlin was missed in the centre. It was his type of ground—fast, dry and smooth.}}
{{cite news |title=Stern test for Bantams |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=30 April 1930 |page=6}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/coventry-city/tab/players/season/1930/ |title=All Coventry City football club players: 1930 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=7 December 2017}}

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.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=Loughlin heads the scoring list |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=12 April 1930 |page=2}}

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.{{cite news |title=Coventry City F.C. team to meet the Orient |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=4 September 1930 |page=6 |quote=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.}} 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.{{cite news |author=Nemo |title=Bees stung |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=20 October 1930 |page=3}} 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. He was transfer listed at a fee of £700; although that figure was reduced on appeal,{{cite news |title=Loughlin to play in Ireland |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=3 September 1931 |page=6}} he was unable to find another Football League club.

In 1931, Loughlin spent time in Ireland, where he joined up with Dolphin and played in the Free State League for Bray Unknowns.{{cite news |title=Bray Unknowns' new forward |newspaper=Irish Times |date=3 September 1931 |page=13 |quote=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.}}
{{cite news |title=Association football. Old rivals at Milltown. Weekend games forecast |newspaper=Irish Times |date=5 September 1931 |page=13 |quote=I hear that Bray's last capture at centre-forward, Loughlin, of Coventry, is a decided acquisition, who will liven up the whole attack.}}
{{cite news |title=Dolphin's fine half line |newspaper=Irish Times |date=7 September 1931 |page=11 |quote=Loughlin made a sound debut in strange company, and could not be left alone.}}
{{cite news |title=Waterford's recovery at Bray |newspaper=Irish Times |date=28 September 1931 |page=13 |quote=Before the close, Loughlin reduced Bray's arrears.}} By 10 October, he was back in England with Worcester City, where he earned himself a reputation as a "crack marksman",{{cite news |title=Heaviest defeat for four years |newspaper=Derby Daily Telegraph |date=22 February 1932 |page=6}} scoring 34 goals as his team finished as runners-up in the Birmingham League.{{cite web |url=http://wcfcarchive.bravehost.com/s1931.htm |title=Worcester City Season 1931–1932 |website=Worcester City FC Archive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005003230/http://wcfcarchive.bravehost.com/s1931.htm |accessdate=24 December 2014|archive-date=5 October 2011 }} He then played for Cheshire County League side Northwich Victoria before, in May 1933, Coventry granted him a free transfer,{{cite news |title=Coventry City F.C. Young reserve right-half signed up. Free transfers for several former players |newspaper=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=11 May 1933 |page=6}} 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.{{cite news |title=Peeps into the dressing-rooms. Casey confounds his critics. New chums at Feethams |last=The Prowler |newspaper=Sunderland Echo |date=12 August 1933 |page=7}}

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,{{cite book |first=Frank |last=Tweddle |title=The Definitive Darlington F.C. |publisher=SoccerData |location=Nottingham |date=2000 |page=35 |isbn=978-1-899468-15-7}} and was given a free transfer.{{cite news |title=Darlington's retained |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=West Hartlepool |date=2 April 1934 |page=11}}

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Category:1905 births

Category:Year of death missing

Category:Footballers from Darlington

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Darlington Railway Athletic F.C. players

Category:Newcastle United F.C. players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Coventry City F.C. players

Category:Bray Unknowns F.C. players

Category:Worcester City F.C. players

Category:Northwich Victoria F.C. players

Category:Darlington F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:League of Ireland players