Exeter City have announced their retained list and much to the sadness of many Grecians Richard Logan’s name does appear in that list.

Richard Logan, aged 30, has been an integral part of Exeter City’s promotions since joining the Grecians, and manager Paul Tisdale, on deadline day in January 2007 from Weymouth. He came to St James Park just a few days after the arrival of Lee Elam and Steve Tully.

Incidentally, he’d scored for Weymouth a month earlier on Boxing Day in the 2-1 win over Exeter City. He was also part of the Weymouth team that took a 4-0 drubbing at St James Park just a week before his transfer.

In all Richard Logan has made 213 1st team appearances in the Football League and the Conference, plus 158 appearances coming on as a substitute. It all competitions he scored 90 goals.

Richard Logan started his career at Ipswich Town as a trainee in August 1998. He had several loan moves, Cambridge United, Torquay and Boston Utd before signing for Boston. The move to Boston wasn’t entirely successful, and he then had a loan move to Peterborough. Back to scoring form he then signed permanent terms with Peterborough. Getting the tag of journeyman, Richard Logan then had loan moves with Shrewsbury and Lincoln before signing with Weymouth in June 2006.

January 2007 saw a significant re-financing of Weymouth Town and a number of players left, including Richard Logan. Finally at Exeter he lost the tag of journeyman. Staying with the Grecians for over 5 years.

Richard Logan made his debut for Exeter City on Saturday 10th February 2007, coming on as a 83rd minute substitute for Jon Challinor.

His maiden goal for the Grecians came on Saturday 24th Feb against Burton Albion at the Park. He came on after 60 minutes and scored a penalty on the 69th minute after a Burton defender had fouled Adam Stansfield.

Richard Logan played at Wembley in the Conference Play off final against Morecambe coming on as a 53rd minute substitute.

The 2007/08 season must be defined as the most successful season (so far?) for Richard Logan. 19 goals as Exeter City finally climbed out of Conference and back in to the Football League.

Along the way Richard Logan scored 2 important late goals at the Kassam on live TV to earn City an important 2-2 draw against Oxford City. He scored a hat-trick against Salisbury in a 4-2 win at the Park. It wasn’t all plain sailing though. Live on TV at Stevenage he had a penalty saved by Alan Julian only for the ref to ask for it to be retaken, again Alan Julian saved it. Then on the Tuesday night at Salisbury he missed with a header that looked like it was easier to score, and right in front of the City faithful!

However, all was to be forgiven in the drama of the play-offs. Having taken a 2-1 deficit to Plainmoor, all looked to be lost when Torquay went 3-1 up on aggregate. But goals from Harley and Watson meant we were back in the game. Then up pops Richard Logan for a headed goal to put us in the lead on aggregate. Wayne Carlisle added the 4th and a trip to Wembley and this time success.

The 2008/09 was not a great season for Richard Logan. Just the 4 goals in 33 appearances (including coming on as a substitute 14 times). But what a goal that fourth one was! Final day of the season, a trip to Don Valley to play Rotherham. A win would guarantee us promotion to League 1. Logan came on a substitute and scored the all important winning goal. At the far post he met a perfect cross from Rob Edwards. The image of that ball going in to the net and Logan wheeling away and running up the touchline will remain in the memories of Grecian fans for ever!

In League 1 Logie was increasingly used as an impact sub rather than as a starter. In the 3 League campaigns he his record was (including cup competitions): 2009/10 5 starts, 31 subs and 4 goals; 2010/11 – 27 starts and 20 appearances from the bench and 11 goals; and this past season – 13 start with 20 substitute appearances with 6 goals. His importance as an impact sub was 2nd to none. Some of his late goals include: 87th minute equaliser at home to Swindon in September 2009: or the 89th equaliser at Wycombe in March 2010; and the 87th minute winner against Dagenham and Redbridge in April 2011.

As a City fan, you’ll enjoy this. A Logie time video showing 12 of his goals can be found here

Nathan Martin, City fan, had this to say

Having met Logie twice the same time at both events last year and this year i can truly say he is city through and through, more recently at this seasons end of ball he took the time to come and talk to us and expressed his love for the club, the fans and Exeter as a whole. He also showed me a tattoo he had done in dedication to our lost number 9 Adam Stansfield and how he had a lot of his career to owe to him, he took the microphone that evening and gave Adam a mention and said how he is still in all of our hearts. a true true gentleman, rough around the edges but lets face it we all loved and still do love logie. He’s without a doubt a massive loss to the club but no doubt he will be remembered and I’m sure he will return to St James’ even if it is just as a spectator

We wish Richard Logan all the best for the future. It’s a pity that there was no send off for the fans, maybe that can be rectified by some other means. Which is our best footballing memory? That has to be between Plainmoor and Don Valley.

Legend? A very overused term in football, but to City fans he’ll live on in their memory for a long time, so yes legend is acceptable in this case.

Thank you Richard Logan.

By Hants

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