York City Knights are delighted to announce the signing of centre Jack Logan from Leigh Centurions on a one-year deal, in association with Atropa Pharmacy.
26-year-old Logan came through the Hull FC system and spent time with Doncaster RLFC and Toronto Wolfpack from the Airlie Birds before signing for Batley Bulldogs ahead of the 2021 campaign.
After spending the first three months of this season with the West Yorkshiremen, Logan returned on loan to his boyhood club, scoring a try on his second debut for the club. He then signed for Leigh in August, spending the remainder of the season with the Centurions.
In total, Logan has scored sixteen tries in thirty-nine Betfred Super League matches to date.
He joins the Knights and adds to Head Coach James Ford’s centre options, joining recent recruits James Glover and Jacob Ogden in the threequarters.
On his latest recruit, Ford said: “Jack brings more competition to our centre positions, he’s played plenty of Super League for Hull FC and we’re aiming at getting him back to those levels and beyond.
“We’re looking forward to working with Jack and helping him back to the top of his game.”
After signing for the club, Logan said: “The main part was taking that step back away from Super League. I’ve sort of scratched that itch of playing in that league for now and I think the best thing for my family and I was signing part-time.
“If you look in the Championship at the clubs that can really offer you a good part-time deal, York has to be up there with the best if not the best itself for opportunity, ambition, great facilities and a highly regarded coaching staff.
“There’s a great playing group as well, a mix of youth and experience. It’s a really good platform for somebody to be really excited about.
Logan has spent time through his career with several members of the Knights’ Class of 2022, one of whom is one of his closest friends. “I grew up with Masi, we went to primary school together. We both moved to a new school in year three I think and we were best mates going through primary school. We stayed really good mates at secondary school but we sort of drifted away after I went into full-time rugby at an early age while Masi didn’t get going till later on.
“When he got drafted into the academy and then the first team it was a bit of a blessing. It was great to play with one of my childhood best mates. We obviously got separated through me leaving the club.
“We haven’t seen each other for a while and obviously we’re back together again now. It’ll be really good to get back going with him.
“I’ve actually played with half the team before. I’ve played with Jamie Ellis, Liam Harris, Masi (Matongo), Jordan (Thompson), Matty Marsh, Will Oakes, Jubby (Will Jubb), Clarky (Chris Clarkson)… a fair few!
“It makes it a lot easier for me for when I start this weekend!”
Logan then admitted that, while now signing for 2022, discussions were had about potentially signing this time last year. “Fordy and I actually met last year and due to my own personal circumstances I didn’t sign anywhere. I wasn’t sure what the plan was for me, I was expecting a little boy at the time who is here now and it was only at the back end of January that I messaged someone at Batley to see if they needed players.
“The coach called me and, luckily, they had some money spare and offered me a deal.
“So yeah, I met Fordy last year about possibly coming but the stars didn’t align. However, it was obviously meant to be and here I am!”
Away from the game, Logan is a qualified bricklayer and will be returning to work for Bellway Homes in the coming weeks. Now with a young family, Logan gave a nod to his partner as well as his son.
“I’ve got my young boy who is just over nine months old, Lake and my fiancée Chelsea. She’s been there through it all because we’ve been together for a fair few years. I’ve been through a lot and put her through a lot with rugby and she has stood by me and it’s worked out well for us. We’re buying our dream home and we have our little family, so it’s all good.”
The Hull FC product then highlighted his belief that the Knights are well-set for a big 2022.
“With the recruitment that we have done this year, it really does look like we will be up there and competing.”
The Knights’ full fixtures will be released on Sunday at 3pm, while our first home match will be published today (Saturday) at the same time.
2022 Season Memberships are on sale now with four different packages available. Full information is available on our website at yorkcityknights.com/22Memberships.
