Logan Tommy Image 1 Chelsea 1913

Description

Barrhead, Renfrewshire born centre half Tom Logan started his football career with hometown Scottish League club Arthurlie in 1908, joining Falkirk two years later. While at Falkirk he was selected for his only Scottish international cap, appearing in a March 1913 British Home Championship match against Ireland, a 2-1 win at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and soon thereafter he joined First Division Chelsea after the end of the season.

He made his Football League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in September 1913. He was considered an ideal centre half who showed judgement in his play. He was a member of the Chelsea side that reached the 1915 FA Cup Final, although they were well beaten by Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge. Indeed he was one of the few Chelsea players to get a positive mention in the Manchester Guardian report on the Final for a few “dashing excursions” into the Sheffield half. He played 77 games and scoring 6 goals over the two seasons before peacetime football was suspended due to the onset of the First World War, during which he served in the Armed Forces. His military service included The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders whose regimental team he represented.

During the War he had loan spells back in Scotland at Partick Thistle, Dunfermline Athletic and Falkirk in between his military service, before resuming with Chelsea in 1919, although he found it harder to get a regular place in the starting eleven. His second two Chelsea seasons saw him play only another 40 games by comparison, scoring twice more, but after he lost his place in November 1920 he couldn’t get back in the team and he moved back once again to hometown club Arthurlie in 1922, where he finished his career.

His older brothers Alec and James Logan both played for a number of clubs including Arthurlie, Falkirk, Aston Villa, Bristol City and Rangers.