| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Loughlin | ||
| Date of birth | 9 October 1905 | ||
| Place of birth | Darlington, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position | 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) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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.
Loughlin was born in Darlington, County Durham, where he worked on the railway and played football for Darlington Railway Athletic. After a trial with Newcastle United, in which he scored for the club's North-Eastern League team, he signed as a professional in November 1924. 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. 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, 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".
He was transfer-listed by Newcastle, 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. 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. In the next match, he played alongside Watson, who again suffered an injury, 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. He missed only one match in what remained of the season, with a thigh injury in February. His form varied, as did that of the team, and he finished the campaign with eight goals from 19 league appearances – only two players scored more.
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. Loughlin began the season in possession, but an injury in the opening match caused him to miss the next five fixtures. Returning at inside left with Starsmore in the centre, 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. Brought back into the team at the last minute for the home match against Gillingham on 23 November, he scored twice in a 5–0 win, and this time kept his place apart from two brief absences through injury. 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.
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:
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. 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. 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, 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. By 10 October, he was back in England with Worcester City, where he earned himself a reputation as a "crack marksman", scoring 34 goals as his team finished as runners-up in the Birmingham League. He then played for Cheshire County League side Northwich Victoria before, in May 1933, Coventry granted him a free transfer, facilitating his return to the Football League with Darlington of the Third Division North. The Sunderland Echo had high hopes:
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, and was given a free transfer.
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.
As a result of the strenuous Christmas matches, Huddersfield had to make two changes ... Newcastle had a reserve centre forward, Loughlin.
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.
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.
Loughlin, the Hammers' new centre-forward, started brilliantly, scoring within five minutes.
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.
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.
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 ...
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 ...
Last year, you may remember, the team went off like a rocket and finished in a way rather reminiscent of a damp squib.
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.
Loughlin was missed in the centre. It was his type of ground—fast, dry and smooth.
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.
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.
I hear that Bray's last capture at centre-forward, Loughlin, of Coventry, is a decided acquisition, who will liven up the whole attack.
Loughlin made a sound debut in strange company, and could not be left alone.
Before the close, Loughlin reduced Bray's arrears.