Loughborough on their way to play Newton Heath (Manchester United) on 4 April 1896 discovered that their kit had been lost. Unable to borrow any shirts, Loughborough had to take to the field wearing their ordinary clothes. Rain fell heavily throughout the 90 minutes, and at the end of a 0–2 defeat, Loughborough’s players had to return home wearing the very clothes they had played the match in. Jimmy Logan, striker who scored a hat-trick in the 1894 FA Cup final for Notts County, caught a cold, which he managed to shake off, but not long after scoring in a 4–1 victory in the final game of the season against Crewe Alexandra, Logan relapsed. He developed pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) and died on Monday 25 May 1896, with his father present, just one month short of his 26th birthday. Whilst in Loughborough he rented a room from John Berry, the Luffs full back, at 108 Leopold Street.
According to his obituary in the Leicester Journal (May 1896): Logan, like so many other League players, belonged to Scotland, having been brought up on the Duke of Portland’s estate in Ayrshire. He crossed the border five or six seasons ago, becoming engaged to the Sunderland club. From the north he came to the Midland district, joining the ranks of Aston Villa. At about this period of his career he gave great promise of developing into a line player. He was, however, not long at Birmingham, his services being transferred to Notts County, and it was while wearing the colours of this club that he attracted most attention. He it was who scored the winning goal for Notts County when they secured the English Cup at Everton on March 31st. 1894. In that season which was Logan’s best he scored 60 goals for Notts. His position was then centre forward. The beginning of last season found Logan in the north again, Newcastle United obtaining command of his services. In the first week of the new year, however, he returned to these parts. Loughborough succeeding in gaining his transfer from Newcastle. It was hoped that in Logan the local club had captured just the centre forward they wanted, and certainly some excellent performances were accomplished subsequent to his admission into the home ranks. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition and made many friends wherever he went. The football world will lie all the poorer for his untimely decease. His loss will be keenly felt in Loughborough, as the club had signed him on again for next season, so satisfied were the committee of his displays in the Town colours. A large sum of money was paid by the club for his transfer from Newcastle. Logan was a married man, ………. as a mark of respect, the Midland League championship flag was hoisted half-mast high at the Athletic Ground. The unexpected death of so bright an ornament in the professional football ranks casting a gloom in sporting circles. Logan’s many connections having caused him to be widely known and highly respected.
Although a large number of people attended the funeral, John Berry was the only member of the first team present. The rest had already left town to return to their homes for the summer break. Also in attendance was Jimmy’s widow Mary, his father James and the wife of David Calderhead, his ex-teammate and captain at Notts County. He laid in an unmarked grave in Loughborough cemetery until 2016 when two Notts County fans raised sufficient funds to get a headstone for the footballing hero.
