Thetownend.com

List of (announced completed) inbound signings for League 2 clubs for the upcoming season. Free transfers unless otherwise said. Last updated 29/7 11am.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY
19 year old defender Brad Hills - Norwich loan
21 year old striker Josh Andrews - Birmingham loan
32 year old defender Kelvin Mellor - Crewe
19 year old defender Lewis Shipley - Norwich loan

AFC WIMBLEDON
30 year old midfielder Jake Reeves - Stevenage Borough
22 year old attacker Josh Neufville - Luton Town
29 year old striker Omar Bugiel - Sutton United
23 year old winger Ryan McLean - Hereford undisclosed fee
25 year old winger James Tilley - Crawley
26 year old defender Ryan Johnson - Stockport
23 year old defender Joe Lewis - Stockport loan
26 year old midfielder Armani Little - FGR undisclosed
26 year old goalkeeper Alex Bass - Sunderland loan

BARROW
27 year old forward Courtney Duffus - Morecambe
32 year old midfielder David Worrall - Port Vale
23 year old left back Junior Tiensia - Solihull
31 year old striker Jamie Proctor - Port Vale
22 year old midfielder Dean Campbell - Aberdeen
20 year old defender Mazeed Ogungbo - Arsenal
22 year old striker Emile Acquah - Maidenhead
18 year old midfielder Owen Bray - Leeds
18 year old winger Sean Elaluku - Burnley
19 year old defender Malakai Reeve - Coventry City

BRADFORD CITY
23 year old wing back Clarke Oduor - Barnsley
32 year old defender Ash Taylor - Kilmarnock
34 year old midfielder Kevin MacDonald - Exeter
25 year old midfielder Alex Pattison - Harrogate
24 year old striker Tyler Smith - Hull
20 year old right back Daniel Oyegoke - Brentford loan

COLCHESTER UNITED
18 year old forward Kaleel Green - Arsenal
19 year old midfielder Archie Oliver - West Brom
19 year old defender Ronny Nelson - Leicester
18 year old defender Jet Dyer - Aylesbury
25 year old midfielder Ellis Iandolo - Swindon undisclosed
20 year old defender Nico Lawrence - Southampton loan
19 year old goalkeeper Owen Goodman - Crystal Palace loan
19 year old midfielder Mauro Bandeira - Arsenal loan
21 year old goalkeeper Tom Smith - Arsenal
20 year old striker Joe Taylor - Luton loan

CRAWLEY TOWN
27 year old midfielder Liam Kelly - Rochdale
24 year old centre-back Joy Mukena - St Albans
27 year old striker Danilo Orsi - Grimsby
23 year old winger Harry Forster - Bromley
21 year old striker Klaidi Lolos - Oxford City
24 year old striker Ade Ademyo - Cray Valley Paper Mills
22 year old defender Jay Williams - Brackley
22 year old goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond - Fulham loan
22 year old midfilder Ronan Darcy - Swindon undisclosed
20 year old midfielder Kamarai Swyer West Ham loan
26 year old defender Will Wright - Gillingham.
28 year old striker Adam Campbell - Gateshead undisclosed
19 year old midfielder Aaron Henry - Charlton loan

CREWE ALEXANDRA
19 year old goalkeeper Harvey Davies - Liverpool - loan
23 year old right back Ryan Cooney - Burnley
25 year old striker Shilow Tracey - Cambridge
29 year old midfielder Jack Powell - Crawley
33 year old defender Mickey Demetriou - Newport

DONCASTER ROVERS
37 year old defender Richard Wood - Rotherham
27 year old right back Jamie Sterry - Hartlepool
28 year old goalkeeper Ian Lawler - Dundee
22 year old midfielder George Broadbent - Sheffield United
26 year old left back Jack Senior - Halifax
29 year old striker Joe Ironside - Cambridge
24 year old midfielder Owen Bailey - Gateshead
19 year old striker Tyler Roberts - Wolves loan
20 year old right back Tom Nixon - Hull loan

FOREST GREEN ROVERS
28 year old defender Ryan Inniss - Charlton
21 year old midfielder Teddy Jenks - Brighton
22 year old midfielder Callum Jones - Hull loan
35 year old goalkeeper Luke Daniels - Middlesborough
33 year old striker Matt Taylor - Oxford
22 year old goalkeeper Jamie Searle - Barnsley
19 year old midfielder Dylan Kadji Bristol C loan
22 year old defender Marcel Lavinier - Swindon undisclosed
24 year old defender Darnell Johnson - Fleetwood

GILLINGHAM
24 year old defender Conor Masterson - QPR
29 year old midfielder Johnny Williams - Swindon
27 year old defender Max Clark - Stevenage
21 year old centre back Shadrach Ogie - Orient undisclosed
32 year old defender Scott Malone - Millwall
28 year old striker Ashley Nadesan - Crawley undisclosed

GRIMSBY TOWN
29 year old striker Danny Rose - Stevenage undisclosed fee
27 year old defender Toby Mullarkey - Rochdale undisclosed fee
26 year old striker Donovan Wilson - Sutton
27 year old striker Abo Eisa - Bradford
26 year old winger Charles Vernam - Lincoln
26 year old defender Harvey Rodgers - Accrington
25 year old striker Rekeil Pyke - Shrewsbury
20 year old midfielder Kamil Conteh - Middlesborough undisclosed
21 year old goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright - Hull loan
26 year old goalkeeper Jake Eastwood - Sheff Utd undisclosed
31 year old striker Arthur Gnahoua - Morecambe

HARROGATE TOWN
22 year old midfielder Matty Daly - Huddersfield Town
26 year old defender Liam Gibson - Morcambe
25 year old left back Matty Foulds - Bradford undisclosed fee
31 year old Defender Rod McDonald - Crewe
21 year old goalkeeper Lewis Thomas - Burnley
22 year old midfielder Dean Cornelius - Motherwell
23 year old striker James Daly - Woking
22 year old striker Abraham Odoh - Rochdale

MANSFIELD TOWN
22 year old striker Will Swan - Nottingham Forest
25 year old left back Calum MacDonald - Bristol Rovers
27 year old centre back Baily Cargill - FGR
28 year old goalkeeper Christy Pym - Peterborough
25 year old left back Aaron Lewis - Newport
34 year old shitbag Aden Flint - Stoke

Franchise
28 year old midfielder Alex Gilbey - Charlton
28 year old defender Cameron Norman - Newport
30 year old goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray - Burton
23 year old goalkeeper Nathan Harness - Charlton
27 year old defender MJ Williams  - Bolton undiscolsed
33 year old centre back Tommy Smith - Colchester
27 year old striker Ashley Hunter - Morecambe

MORECAMBE
32 year old defender Chris Stokes - Kilmarnock
23 year old striker Charlie Brown - Cheltenham
31 year old midfielder Yann Songo'o - Bradford
24 year old defender Joel Senior - Carlisle
28 year old goalkeeper Stuart Moore - Blackpool
27 year old midfielder Cammy Smith - Partick
21 year old midfielder JJ McKiernan - Watford
30 year old striker Jordan Slew - Halifax
19 year old striker Tom Bloxham - Shrewsbury loan
24 year old midfielder Jacob Davenport - Stockport
19 year old defender Michael Mellon - Burnley loan
20 year old midfielder Eli King - Cardiff loan

NEWPORT COUNTY
26 year old midfielder Nathan Wood - Penybont
24 year  old defender Kyle Jameson - Tranmere
27 year old midfielder Bryn Morris - Grimsby
20 year old left back Matty Bondswell - Newcastle
26 year old midfielder Shane McLoughlin - Salford
19 year old striker Seb Palmer-Houlden - Bristol City loan
26 year old defender Ryan Delaney - Morecambe
19 year old defender Josh Seberry - Shelbourne
29 year old goalkeeper Johnny Maxted - Northampton
23 year old left back Adam Lewis - Liverpool loan

NOTTS COUNTY
25 year old winger Jodi Jones - Oxford United
26 year old winger Will Randall - Sutton Utd
35 year old striker David McGoldrick - Derby County
25 year old midfielder Dan Crowley - Morecambe
23 year old goalkeeper Aidan Stone - Port Vale
19 year old defender Ollie Tipton - Wolves loan

SALFORD CITY
30 year old goalkeeper Alex Cairns - Fleetwood
30 year old left back Luke Garbutt - Blackpool
23 year old midfielder Ossama Ashley - Colchester undisclosed
22 year old goalkeeper Joe Wright - Millwall loan
23 year old winger Connor McLennan - Aberdeen
18 year old right back Tosin Olopade - Burnley
20 year old midfielder Jordan Fankwe - Watford
19 year old striker Sandro Da Costa - FC United of Manchester

STOCKPORT COUNTY
33 year old goalkeeper Steve Arnold - Southend
27 year old defender Omar Sowunmi - Bromley
28 year old left back Ibou Touray - Salford
23 year old striker Billy Chadwick - Hull
29 year old midfielder Nick Powell - Wigan
28 year old goalkeeper Jordan Smith - Nottm Forest
22 year old right back Jayden Richardson - Aberdeen loan
20 year old winger Louis Barry - Aston Villa loan
18 year old defender Taylor McMahon - Stoke
18 year old defender Ackeme Francis-Burrell - Wolves
18 year old striker Nic Bollado - Carlisle United
20 year old defender Sam Bird - Fleetwood Town
19 year old defender Josh Popoola - AFC Bournemouth

SUTTON UNITED
32 year old right back Ryan Jackson - Cheltenham
24 year old midfielder Christian N'Guessan - Ebbsfleet
27 year old defender Omar Sowunmi - Bromley
33 year old goalkeeper Steve Arnold - Southend
28 year old striker Harry Smith - Orient
31 year old midfielder Craig Clay - Orient
25 year old winger Josh Coley - Exeter undisclosed
27 year old striker Scott Kashket - Gillingham
27 year old striker Omari Patrick - Carlisle
29 year old striker Aiden O'Brien - Shrewsbury loan

SWINDON TOWN
21 year old goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney - QPR loan
24 year old midfielder Dan Kemp - MKD loan
27 year old midfielder Liam Kinsella - Walsall
22 year old striker Jake Young - Bradford loan

TRANMERE ROVERS
33 year old striker Kristian Dennis - Carlisle United
25 year old midfielder Regan Hendry - FGR
31 year old striker Connor Jennings - Hartlepool
30 year old striker Luke Norris - Stevenage
27 year old goalkeeper Luke McGee - FGR
20 year old left back Jake Leake - Hull loan
25 year old defender Joe Yarney - Oldham

WALSALL
22 year old midfielder Ryan Stirk - Birmingham
34 year old left back Chris Hussey - Salford
26 year old defender Priestley Farquharson - Newport
20 year old striker Douglas James-Taylor - Stoke
30 year old striker Danny Johnson - Mansfield
18 year old striker Freddie Draper - Lincoln loan
20 year old defender Harry Williams - Alveschurch undisclosed
21 year old goalkeeper Jackson Smith - Wolves
20 year old midfielder Ross Tierney - Motherwell loan
24 year old striker Aramide Oteh - Crawley

WREXHAM
27 year old defender Will Boyle - Huddersfield
34 year old midfielder James McClean - Wigan £250k

Nothing much there to worry about - yet!

Edit. Grimsby have signed Danny Rose from Stevenage

No not really, the only one of note is Will Randall signing for Notts County.

Are they? decent signing he always causes problems, stick any league 2 transfer rumours in this thread too if anyone hear them, except for Wrexham rumours who have their own thread :)

Actually ignore that - I clicked on the wrong twitter account and was following a nonsense transfer rumours one! Doh!

I'm glad Bradford have singed Clarke Oduor, wouldn't want him at STFC. Might kick up a stink in the dressing room and leave a bad smell

:hawhaw;

Grimsby have made a couple of smart looking signings today in Rose and Mullarkey

I noticed their fans seemed to be pleased about Mullarkey and I presumed he was a young talented player from Rochdale, but he's a 28 year old Centre back who has basically been kicking about non-league and played a dozen times last season for a terrible Rochdale side. Rose is a handy enough target man.

No shock, Bradford looking to sign ex Town loanee Romoney Crichlow.

Ben Foster agrees to a 1 year deal at Wrexham.

Slightly off thread but I noticed that Wrexham's new shirt sponsor is United Airlines, which commercially is likely to dwarf any income from sponsorship for both league 1 and league 2.

And the way they announced it ensured maximum publicity, they really don't fuck about!

Foster to Wrexham one would imagine is as much about SM alignment than football.

Yeah I'd agree about that. The whole Wrexham package is obviously the football club, but they have the documentary and loads of other Social Media things going on. Their owners so far have got things absolutely spot on. Clearly being stupidly rich and famous has helped them but significantly they have put football people (Shaun Harvey) in place. It must be some ride for their fans.

Please keep this thread to L2 transfers and rumours, there is already a  thread about Wrexham and their finances.

Thanks gents.

Fair enough JJ, and apologies for the wandering :)

Sort of interesting the clubs that are doing their business early - Doncaster already have five signings, Wimbledon, Barrow and Mansfield three each. My memory is that Mansfield almost always get their business done early. Half the clubs (12) haven't signed anyone yet, so we're hardly an outlier.

Hopefully the transfers and rumour mill will start soon, i hate early close season but love later close season.

As long as most of them are in for most of pre season then I’m happy. There will always be the odd bit of quality you need to wait until later in the window to sign but if the majority are coming in late pre season/after the seasons started then I’ll be a bit disappointed

yup.

Grimsby have signed striker Donovan Wilson from Sutton.

Donny sign Joe Ironside. Good one on paper that

6th signing already, they are going for it early doors.

They were dreadful last season.

But beat us comfortably at home🤣

Ironside looks like a very good signing. Doncaster certainly look like they are going to be vastly improved this season and have a pretty good manager in McCann.

We were beaten by a whole host of shit last season.

That's my point beaten by shit but we were even worse!

David McGoldrick signs for Notts County. 22 goals and 5 assists in League One last season.

As mentioned before, the division is shaping up to be incredibly hard next season. Imagine our squad from last season trying to compete with these.

Jesus that's a good signing at this level. I suppose it's a bit Austin-esque in coming back to where he started out even though he could probably still play higher up.

Always a chance, but the more I look back, the bigger fuck up last season looks.

Williams has gone to Gillingham

Yeah I saw that and thought it sounded like a decent signing, despite fact he is getting on a bit.

Ref Williams...money talks. Hotel in Bradford blah blah.

As we all know, getting out of this league last season was a huge missed opportunity.

Fucking tough next season for sure.

Luckily Flynn aint no mug so i hope we cobble a team that can at least compete with the top sides.

Well, we’ve got Notts County and Wrexham giving it large. Gills and Donny splashing out. And the usual PO suspects Mansfield, Bradford and Salford.

Is there room for an outlier or 2.

I find it easy to get annoyed and worked up at the amount of large budgets in this league right now, but the hope to cling onto is that recently, most of the promoted clubs aren't the big spenders, just those that have used their budgets most wisely.

Mansfield and Salford are 2 such examples.

I quite like Mansfield's business so far. I think Swan and Cargill are pretty good signings.

We are 1 of 12 clubs not to have signed anyone yet.

Yes, with a good manager & some good signings and a bit of luck.

Grimsby have signed Abo Eisa on a free from Bradford.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65906658 Crewe have gone down the highly rated youth keeper loan path with Harvey Davies.

I was going to put this into the STFC Transfers thread but feared it may go off piste so putting it here. A few transfers recently have happened where Bradford appear to have been scuppered last minute by players choosing to sign for other clubs. Our own Jonny Williams and now Patrick Brough who chose Northampton over them. (League above so makes sense) You would think as a lower league player, a big club like Bradford would be appealing. A good stadium, in a big(ish) City situated in a good location geographically in the country playing for a big name manager. I wonder if Mark Hughes is actually the problem for them. Many clubs are shying away from Dinosaur managers and you wonder if players feel they are likely to learn more from younger more dynamic managers.

Have you been to Bradford  ;) it made me smile in reading the stuff about Williams spurning them at the last minute that when he went up for his medical and finalise things they had put him up in a hotel..... in Leeds!

TBH in both cases there are mitigating factors, Williams got to stay at home and not have to move, other guy got to play in higher division.

Oh absolutely, there is of course a myriad of factors that footballers must use to consider the next step in their career and there are different motivations for them as well, money, location, blah blah.

It's definitely not a simple case of taking Bradford City and Gillingham as football club sizes either, it doesn't really work like that otherwise Accrington would never sign anyone. And similarly you can't really take how nice a town or city is either, otherwise everyone would be wanting to sign for Harrogate.

I've been to neither Gillingham or Bradford but having no dog in a fight I'd 100% pick the Yorkshire city.

Norman signs for MKD.

https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/dons-swoop-to-sign-full-back-cameron-norman-4185122

Realistically right back is not currently an area of priority. So not too bothered about this.

I agree as I posted in the Transfer Rumours thread. We need outright CB's not stand in ones.

Sutton sign GK Steve Arnold and CB Omar Sowunmi today. Announcing a midfielder later as well.

Can’t say I know much about either.

Sowumni is a member of that dying breed, the CB who occasionally goes up front because he's massive.

Oli Hawkins another playing on in that mould.

Remember Darius Charles at Stevenage as well.

Is that now 9 teams left to not make a signing?

Correct I think. Although from the list, Wrexham, Salford and Stockport squads seem to be well stocked already.

Bradley Dack to Bradford? That’d be a vast improvement on Williams.

Walsall sign Ryan Stirk

Probably 9 yet to announce a signing. I’m sure we will have one or two lined up. Not ITK before anyone asks but just a feeling.

At least you haven't said there's a 5pm announcement😀

One Flynn loyal we won't have to worry about signing now is Robbie Wilmott who ends up at Woking.

Late Friday flurry.

Gills sign LB Max Clark who had a decent time last season with Stevenage

Bradford sign CB Ash Taylor on a free from Kilmarnock

FGR sign 6 foot 6 CB Ryan Innis from Charlton - Good one that I think

Stockport heavily rumoured to be signing Ibou Touray from Salford

Thanks for the heads up about these, much appreciated.

Stockport confirm Touray signing as well as Billy Chadwick from Hull.

Newport sign midfielder Nathan Wood.

Think we’re into that period where signings around the league will be coming in heavy daily so will be harder to keep up with.

Interestingly though the Newport signing takes it to 18 out of 24 clubs that have started their summer business. The ones yet to start being Us, Wrexham, Crawley, Accrington, Salford and Morecambe.

yep, down to a dozen yet to do business.

I see Morecambe have lost Cole Stockton to Burton Albion. I wondered it he might have dropped to league 2.

Surprised by that.

The Gills also heavily linked with Alfie May which would be a good signing.

I think they are battling with Charlton for his signature. I can't really see after a great season in league 1 that he would seriously consider dropping a division. But stranger things have happened I suppose.

Paul Mullin enters the chat.

Adam Rooney going from European football at Aberdeen to Salford (who I think were still in non league at the time), obviously for the challenge 😉

I did think about Mullin when I was originally typing that message but I figured Wrexham were a bit of an outlier.

Yes, double the weekly challenge in his pay packet ;)

I think Mullin could also at least claim that Wrexham was nearer where he was from, albeit I imagine the 3 year contract was not for monkey nuts!

Notts County sign Dan Crowley. Slightly remember him from that 6-1 friendly defeat to Birmingham a few years back, a certain Jude Bellingham stepped off the bench to score 2 against us that day as well.

Crowley looked brilliant against us for Brum in the friendly, controlled midfield, good signing that.

Half a dozen teams left not to have made any moves then. 'Crisis' clubs Morecambe and Crawley included in that. A bit surprised Salford haven't signed anyone yet. Maybe they have quite a settled squad now which doesn't require a lot of work.

Indeed, Morecambe and Creepy are understandable in their lack of new signings given the ongoing problems both have off the pitch.

Accrington too are struggling so I hear, not surprised on average attendances in L1 of well under 3k and no wealthy backers.

Wrexham are shouting about signing a lot of players but not actually getting any as yet as you say that leaves us and Salford.

Salford had the basis of a decent side last season but have lost their captain and longest serving player Touray to Stockport in the Summer.

I don't actually think Wrexham will go mad with signings. I can see them maybe bringing in 3,4 or 5 players of real quality. Actually is Ben Foster technically a signing JJ, or more of a contract extension?

Maybe we have made several signings but there is nobody at the club to announce them. They only just appointed a new club secretary as well right?

Fair play to the club - the Who's Who has been updated - we no longer have a vacancy at head coach level :)

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/club/whos-who/

Morecambe are off and running. They've signed Chris Stokes.

Down to 5 yet to do business then

1 of 2 players left in the football league I played against as a youngster, when he played for Trowbridge Town youth.

Who was the other one?

I played against two in school matches - Dean Whitehead and Chris Hackett

Played against Beauchamp in a sunday league game too

I went fishing with Robbie Mustoe..... beat that!  :D

Burford schools most prestigious export!

No, that's me!!  ;)

Nathan Thompson, who was at Warminster Highbury in his youth.
Kurt Hammond was also in the same Trowbridge team as Chris Stokes, and he was the best of the lot by a long way.  


I also played against Hampshire and England cricketer, James Vince, who was a very very good footballer. Believe he had the choice of trials at a few football and cricket clubs, and chose cricket.

Alex Pattison signs for Bradford, from Harrogate.

Nick Powell to Wrexham. Some signing if it happens. You've got to think he's on north of £10k a week having been a Championship regular and only 29.

Not completed yet.

Alfie May, Curtis Main and Nick Powell all lined up by Wrexham in advanced talks.

This thread title does include “rumours” and I did say “if it happens” but thanks!

No I am aware just kinda hoping it wont happen, hes a decent player who could well be a commanding player at this level.

I have to say this season most teams are already looking stronger than last season which was a very poor quality division, not so much this year, its gonna be hard to win automatic promotion.

Chris Hussey signs for Walsall

Crawley are off the mark and sign Liam Kelly, who got relegated with Rochdale last season.

Little fella who nearly signed for us and then scored a screamer?

That's him. Don't think he pulled up too many trees up at the Crown Oil Arena.

Presumably a first in terms of Feyenoord and Crawley on the CV together.

So true, although Crawley do have a damn rotter in charge to be fair.

Just Accrington, Swindon, Wrexham and Salford left to do business now.

The fact that we're included in a list with moneybags Wrexham and Salford doesn't concern me too much. Plenty of time - got to make sure the recruitment is right unlike last season.

I think if you look at recent seasons we do tend not to do business until later. At someone else said, I am sure the legs of the swan are paddling furiously underwater and we'll get to see said swan motoring around the transfer pond within a few weeks. (sorry for the quite awful analogy)

Funny isn’t it, as if you asked most of our fans who are their favourites to go up, they’d say Wrexham. We are guaranteed a relegation battle though as we’ve not signed anyone yet. 

Shhh, don't mention the W word. Everyone is sick of them but seem to go on about them quite a lot in other threads. We already have a squad of 18 players on the books I think. Clearly we need to put together a solid spine of a team however. 5 or 6 in the door over the next 2-3 weeks would be a good statement of intent. Transfer leaks at STFC have definitely dried up since SDM has left for sure.

So today is actually the anniversary of our first first team signings of *last* summer - Brynn and Shade. At that point, we'd only had a permanent manager for three days! We did have home and away kits though.

Summer signing dates last year for context: (date of the scarf over head article on the official site, not rumours)

September 1st: Morgan Roberts, Luke Jephcott, Conor Brann, RHM, Marcel Lavinier
August 10th: FBT
July 18th: Angus MacDonald
July 15th: Tomi Adeloye, Remeao Hutton, Saidou Khan
July 13th: Ronan Darcy
July 12th: Tom Clayton
July 5th: Jacob Wakeling
July 1st: Ciaran Brennan
June 28th: Cian Harries
June 24th: Reece Devine
June 23rd: Tyrese Shade, Sol Brynn
June 22nd: Oscar Massey
June 20th: Scott Lindsey appointed manager

Flynn has only been in the job about 3 days. He signed on the last day of last season and only came back from holday a couple of days ago the rest he was on holiday ;)

Exactly, the other day there were about 4 threads that despite having fuck all to do with Wrexham had been brought round to whinges about Wrexham, its less that they love publicity and more that fans of other clubs seem to be obsessed with them.


I was going to say 'the lazy fecker', but then again I suppose they have to take their leave all in one go, not like he can have a week off in autumn half term with the kids!

I can't help but misquote the famous the Cameron line to Blair in 2007 or so - We were the circus once! Having been the media's favourite club for a few years makes it harder to watch it be someone else I suppose.

he's a lazy article that Flynn!! :)

Morecambe sign former Chelsea academy striker Charlie Brown.

Already in post 1 from 9am today ;)

Have to assume he came pretty cheap.

you teeing someone up for the peanuts gag?

It would assume so! ;) so no Snooping!

FWIW Brown looked pretty good against us for Chelsea U21's both times in the Pizza cup a few years back, scored 2 in 1 game and 1 in the other and set up a further 3 goals too.

haha - good work on the snooping, very clever JJ! :)

Funnily enough I visited Woodstock recently

Did you see Winston’s ghost?

Rumoured target Farquharson announces he’s departing Newport. I know I’m gearing myself up for disappointment when I see the tweet confirming he’s signed for Stevenage.

Took our wee lass to see his grave when I was back in the Shire earlier this month, they are doing WW2 at school at the moment so it offset taking her out for the day.

Will Grigg to Chesterfield

;)

Good grief....

I’ve got Chesterfield in the pre-season acca.

Have a look at L1. As tough as L2 looks this season, L1 looks relatively piss poor compared to previous seasons.

I’ve done Pompey, btw.

Pompey have made 6 new signings already.

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/stevenson-becomes-sixth-summer-signing/

Unfortunately, I’ve also bunged us in. Got to really, law of averages and all that.

Leicester for the Championship.

25/1 to win the championship or 5/1 to be promoted!

I think it's way too early to know exactly who are going to be staking a big claim for promotion. Given where we are having yet to make any move in the transfer market putting us in any accumulator is both brave and foolhardy.

28/1 with SkyBet

Farquharson signs for Walsall.

Mildly amusing that we're being linked to everyone from Newport and Walsall and now players are moving between the two of them. We have a transfer triangle!

Salford make their first signings in Alex Cairns from Fleetwood.

Leaving Accrington, Swindon and Wrexham the last teams to add a first signing to their squad for the up coming season.

Wrexham have probably got some big signings announcement day lined up or something very American.

Using the draft system perhaps?

Current new signings table 3pm 28/6 - Walsall add 1

8 DONCASTER ROVERS
7 GRIMSBY TOWN
6 AFC WIMBLEDON
6 BARROW
6 COLCHESTER UNITED
6 HARROGATE TOWN
6 MORECAMBE
5 BRADFORD CITY
5 NOTTS COUNTY
5 SUTTON UNITED
5 WALSALL
4 Franchise
4 TRANMERE ROVERS
3 CREWE ALEXANDRA
3 GILLINGHAM
3 MANSFIELD TOWN
3 NEWPORT COUNTY
3 STOCKPORT COUNTY
2 FOREST GREEN ROVERS
1 CRAWLEY TOWN
1 SALFORD CITY
0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY
0 SWINDON TOWN
0 WREXHAM

Having Wrexham down there kinda gives some comfort to our lack of action. Though i suspect we need more of a rebuild than they do honestly.

Is there an appropriate date where we can start to panic? Where Flynns talk of others overpaying is interpreted as we can't afford the players we want?

I’d tend to disagree on Wrexham unless we’re targeting the same quality of player. They’re likely going for top end LGE1/Championship type players with their budget that usually free up later in the window, I doubt we’re going for the same level of quality. They also have a more than capable squad to start with.

Ex Wxm defender Luke Waterfall thinks they don't need to add any players.

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/23614651.luke-waterfall-backing-former-club-wrexham-well/

I will only panic if we get to a week before the 1st game without new signings.

I am sure Flynn has picked out targtes and that they are realistic targets, its just normal for football fans to be concerned when other teams have made some very good signings at this level already though.

People get concerned if players aren’t in at the beginning of pre season training/games. Feels like a catch-up situation as the actual season gets going. I can imagine Clem wants players who are OOC by June 30th doesn’t want to take on wages earlier than he needs to - shades of Power.

In essence, fans want to see evidence of a change of approach from the previous regime.

I think this is the main concern for many Town fans. We dont want the all to often "one for the future" type signings we have had recently.

We need players that can challenge for a starting slot and have experience in L2/L1 or higher rather than the Premier U21/U23 leagues who have had maybe one loan spell previously.

agreed and we may yet well see that, but the sooner they are in the better.

There is a real expectation management problem this season as well. Most seasons we would reasonably expect to be top 7, as the assumption is that our support would put our budget somewhere in that range.

This season i think we all know there are at least 7-8 clubs that seem to have budgets in excess of ours. That's a hard pill to swallow for a club that really should be a league one club.

That means we need to over achieve this season to hit the clubs aims, and the fans requirements.

Everything has to go well if we are going to 'over' achieve, and that for most of us would include having the squad together as soon as possible. We can't afford to still be putting the squad together when we are 4-5 games into the season etc. Every game counts more than ever next season.

Still not even July yet. No panic yet. However i do hope the first signings are players that give the club some hope. If they are squad players or young potential then i think people are going to get very worried very quickly.

On the money 👍

Absolutely agree on all that.

Agreed riddick.

My worry is we've publicly stated we need to make 500k in efficiency savings too. it is what it is.

But  I can't see where much fat can be trimmed except from the obvious playing side.

Maybe more money will come in somehow instead.

Hopefully Flynn can take us on one of those Newport style cup runs

500k is a huge saving. Is that per year? If so i struggle to see how the club cuts that from its cost base given its turnover.

From the outside it looks like we have cut the clubs infrastructure to the bone.

Flynn did media interviews last Friday, the first since the last day of the season, and the club didn't publish anything on the official website at all. I hope with the players back tomorrow the clubs coverage ramps up. Sure its just preseason, but its engagement with the fan base that is fundamental to a community club and club trying to appeal to fans to still buy season tickets.

I guess this is the cost of running a club to its means. The challenge has to be where and when do we grow income.

They may not get paid a huge amount, but I'd suggest our squad size last season did not help budget wise.  I'd expect us to be able to trim the squad down considerably and still add talent we need within a similar budget.  Add in a potentially decent Manager and we should be better placed than last season.

Also, there are only two ways to run at a profit at this level - have media darlings onboard who attract sponsorship beyond normal levels, or sell players at big profits.  No offence to someone digging into their own pockets, but you should very well expect to be covering a 500k loss a season down here if you want to own a football club.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/siteassets/2022-23/documents/advisory-board-april-2023.pdf

"Maintain current season ticket levels and work to deliver c£500k in efficiencies so that we
can become sustain"

2023-24 - "club financials are balanced and sustainable for day-to-day business"
2025  - "FC becomes fully sustainable, running on breakeven for day-to-day and next round of annual
development financed by various income routes"

Per year, but as above doesn't say it will all happen this year to be fair.


That would help! League cup looks tricky though

100 percent this. The players need to be ready to go straight away

If only we had some!

Here ya go mate. I've got you covered!

(https://pic.ebid.net/upload_big/9/9/3/1401824172-21672-237.jpg)

Summed up perfectly and all the lads I know and travel with are thinking the same.

Big BIG season this year for the ownership. I personally think they deserve the benefit of the douby after what they inherited and do honestly think that Clem trusted the wrong people last summer and thought what he was doing was right and would work.

They have rectified that and got rid of last sueasons problems so how they support Flynn now is crucial. Go sign 5 or 6 been there done it type players who will compliment the likes of Wakeling George McEachran , Cain Laviner etc and i think we could be ok. If we sign 5 or 6 long shots then questions will rightly be asked

Morecambe add 4 players in the last 2 days including ex Town keeper Stuart Moore.

Barrow signed Mazeed Ogungbo from Arsenal, defender who spent last season on loan at Crawley, no idea if he is any good or not.


Illustrates the point quite well, we have fans moaning that other clubs are signing players but we aren't, but if the club announced they had signed Stuart Moore there would be uproar.

I've seen Ogungbo described as a competition winner.

Looking around the business done so far, I'd say Ironside at Donny, Tyler Smith at Bradford and Danny Rose at Grimsby are good signings. I'm not sure I know a lot about many of the others, Farquharson at Walsall perhaps. Wrexham I suspect are keeping their powder dry for 2 or 3 eye opening moves.

Creepy fans are disappointed they didnt sign him.

Not like a L2 footballer to split opinion!

Absolutely, but thats why they are plying their trade in the bottom division, some good, some bad, some indifferent. If they had consistancy they wouldnt be down here in the depths of the league.

Wiki suggests that he played a fair few games so who knows. Long and short is that as Roberts Orange has noted above despite many clubs making a fair few signings how many would be welcomed here...

To be fair, that comment was from a fan of a team that played Crawley, so probably not the best judge.

File it away in the 'to be confirmed' category, like a majority of these players.

Absolutely mate, young player can go either way at this stage of his career.

Several Town fans thought Critchlow looked useless for us and he has grabbed himself a contract at Peterborough.

I have to admit I liked Critchlow when he was at us. Good in the air, comfortable on the ball bringing it out etc. Quite surprised he ended up in league 1 but there we are.

I liked Critch too but I know many didn't on here and on social media.

Opinions and arseholes mate. :)

I liked Crichlow for us but he looked ropey when we played against him subsequently.

Danny Johnson signing for Walsall.

I would have liked him to come to us.

Cant find it confirmed anywhere mate.

Perhaps a bit similar to Charlie?

Matt Smith signing for Sutton.

Both of them?

Dammit, no idea why I wrote Matt!

Where you see this mate? I cant fins anything even remotely official saying this, or is it the rumour?

It’s on twitter. From their admin posting a video of a DJ playing a record.

Yeah I've made an assumption but unless they are buying Reckord, I can't think who else it would be.

All confirmed now anyway.

It is, decent signing for them.

Luke Garbutt signs for Salford. Good signing that. Saw a tweet earlier about hoping that when our signings start getting announced, that we’re saying that about them as much as we currently are about other clubs signings.

That Johnson was gonna sign here till Walsall gazumped us with wages.
Was supposed to be announced today.

Although I personally don’t think striker is our highest priority.
Obviously the QPR keeper & Brewitts signature tomorrow. Both at training today.

Would be a shame if true. Getting out priced by Walsall, not one of the 7 or 8 I would expect to be out bid by.

We defo need a striker. Could it be possible one of the players Flynn doesn't rate is Wakeling? Certainly had a poor second half of the season.

We have a bigger budget than Walsall (and Flynn would know) but guessing they have more spare / unaccounted for compared to us.

Don’t see why Flynn wouldn’t rate Wakeling. Personally I’d like to see us bring in a 4th striker but I’d be looking at CBs & DMs first

Where did you hear that?

…in my ears

Yeah we need a 4th striker anyway. Just interested if there is a surprise in the ones Flynn doesn't rate.

The three forwards we currently have do not fit together, so a 4th forward is a must. However I could totally see Wakeling be a sacrifice for an alternative forward within the four.

Think a 4th striker would be a ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘definitely need’

That surprises me that you think that, most of last season a lot of people people we hankering for a big man up top and I thought you were one of them, i certainly am.

I think we need to add to our spine in all areas - 2 GK's, at least 1 CB, probably 2 CM and 1 focal striker for me.  The rest of the existing team is perfectly adequate to fill in around that, add a few loans in and bob is your dad's brother.

Wrexham could be gazumped by Crewe in their pursuit of Nick Powell who is training with the Railwaymen.

I wanted a big man up front to change things a bit in games or against certain opposition.

I would suggest 2 keepers(1 with load sof experience), 2 expereinced CB's, a tough tackling DMC, a box to box ball carrier and a big striker.

I would mind a few of those being loans more so in attacking positions, also hopefully a couple of young loan options on the wings too.

Feels like ages since we’ve had proper wingers. Or are they going out of fashion and being replaced with wing backs and “wide forwards” who are just attackers not quite good enough to play up front but have something about them and are a bit quick.

Salford sign left back Luke Garbutt from Blackpool, a very good signing at this level.

Definitely out of fashion at all levels - not many managers outside of Sean Dyche play with "proper" wingers. Someone like Demerai Gray or something is probably the most "wingery" winger in England.

Remeao Hutton is definitely a right winger 10 years ago - he's basically Jon Paul McGovern skillset wise. Those players get made into full backs now.

Absolutely.

I love an attacking winger but they are a dying breed and as you rightly state wingbacks seem to be the "en vogue" style now. A role that not many at this level can play well too.

It seems to be quite cyclical as fashions change, probably the first example I remember was Gary Steven sat Everton back in the 80's.

They also came back into vogue in the late 90's early 00's just before I finished playing Sunday league and as you say it was trying to shoehorn defenders into being players that their skill set and basic fitness couldn't do, hence as an occasional right back I jacked it in.

As with ball playing CB's and keepers, decent wing backs don't stay in the 4th tier for very long.

Gills now clear favourites to sign Alfie May apparently. Golden boot race in League Two next season is going to be a mad watch

Salford have signed Ossama Ashley from Colchester for 150k.

I'm itching to see how our transfer business is likely to compare to what has gone before us.

Tranmere sign keeper Luke McGee from FGR

Good signing. Was hoping that’d be the sort of ‘keeper we would be looking at, he was Forest Green’s no. 1 when they won the league.

Will be interesting to see if the QPR lad is going to be first choice or there’s a more experienced option to come in.

I think the club had hoped that would have been Ward, had the Sutton contract situation not clearly have been so preventative.

True - you’d hope for Ward’s sake that dispute isn’t still rumbling on..

I wonder whether Ward will end up back at FGR.

In case people wanted some numbers to back up their vague feeling of panic/derision of those with a vague sense of panic, here's each team's current squad size:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/league-two/startseite/wettbewerb/GB4

Wimbledon have 31, which is the most. Morecambe have 16, which is the lowest. We have 22, which is solidly bottom half. That includes Harvey Fox, who I think might have been give a scholarship extension rather than a pro contract, if that's a distinction worth making. It also includes Gavin Gunning, who they insist on listing as a player. Take those two out and we're 20th, but I suspect other squads have similar small anomalies.

We remain the second youngest squad (above Crewe) at 23.3. L2 average is about 26.

I do seem to remember we hold the player registration for Gunning.

I think I can discount the rest of your post based on you thinking 11th of 24 teams is "solidly bottom half". But hey let's not let annoying things like facts get in the way of doom mongering.

I reckon if you're gonna post a weirdly aggressive post about a counting error, it's best to double-check your own counting first. We're 12th. Think we were 14th when I checked earlier, but these things go up and down with transfers. If you think that was doom mongering then that's fine but you must find the rest of STFC discourse completely unreadable.

We have 22 players, two thirds of the division is between 20-24 so that's clearly a "normal" band at this point. The squad size isn't an outlier, which was the point of my original post. In fact, the only remarkable thing about our squad at this point is how young it is - which we know everyone from the manager to the previous manager to the players have said will be addressed.

But your original.post didn't suggest our squad size was about average. It said "solidly bottom half" when we were mid-table and within 1 or 2 players of the squad size of 70/80% of the league.

If you'd posted that we were about the same as most and not an outlier I wouldn't have replied to it. The age thing I think you're right. It's a symptom of the transition from last year's squad where over the last two windows we've lost most of the elder statesman of f the squad and haven't yet replaced them.

I'm less fussed about age anyway. I want some experience but at this level and national you can find 23 yr olds with a couple of seasons and 60 odd league games under their belts.

Max Power turns down Wrexham to sign for Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Qadsiah managed by Robbie Fowler after leaving Wigan.

Grimsby sign 2 goalkeepers Harvey Cartwright and Jake Eastwood.

Not completed yet but its looking like Wrexham target Nick Powell will turn them down and sign for Stockport County.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-free-agent-turns-down-coventry-and-west-brom-to-sign-for-stockport-county/

Wrexham only looking for a couple of new signings, and from abroad.

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/phil-parkinson-opens-up-wrexham-transfer-plans-looking-abroad/bltf920629db1f3ddbf

Updated new signings table 4pm 08/07

10 GRIMSBY TOWN
8 AFC WIMBLEDON
8 DONCASTER ROVERS
8 HARROGATE TOWN
8 MORECAMBE
7 SUTTON UNITED
6 BARROW
6 COLCHESTER UNITED
6 BRADFORD CITY
6 WALSALL
5 MANSFIELD TOWN
5 NOTTS COUNTY
5 TRANMERE ROVERS
4 CRAWLEY TOWN
4 CREWE ALEXANDRA
4 Franchise
4 NEWPORT COUNTY
3 FOREST GREEN ROVERS
3 GILLINGHAM
3 SALFORD CITY
3 STOCKPORT COUNTY
1 SWINDON TOWN
0 ACCRINGTON STANLEY
0 WREXHAM

I'm guessing Ben Foster isn't classed as an incoming transfer for this season JJ?

I’m assuming not otherwise we would have 3 (Austin & Brewitt)

I would be interested to know the number of released players at the end of last season compared to signings. I am sure it is all relative.

Nope officially a contract extension mate.

Accrington find themselves in a similar position to us where they have 24 pro's on the books already.

Will be interesting to compare the final list at the end of this window with league positions at end of December then incorporate January signings & then look at final standings.

As it stands hopefully those teams taking a more considered approach & maybe looking at quality over quantity will end up doing better than the clubs that have been more prolific.  :)

Not an exact science of course as factors like starting point with existing numbers have to be taken into account and that's without taking budgets into account.

But surely it’s better to sign shit players quickly than to wait and try and sign some quality.

Fair enough :)

Its a tough one, do you sign players now who seem to fit in your style or do you wait and hope players become available later in the window who may have to shoehorn into your style (Lyndseyesque) or you change your style to accomodate their strenghts.

Maybe its better to get a few more on now so they can integrate with the squad and get fitness to a better level and then reassess in January?

Last season we seemed to be playing catch up with other teams on fitness and squad cohesion from the off.

League 2 completed transfers and rumours only please guys  ;D

Closest I had to that was current squad sizes


We're basically middling on squad size, low on new signings. So probably low-ish if you take it as a combined score, but there are definitely teams far worse off.

Not L2 related, but still a vested interest, York have joined the big money club and have signed some players who were destined for L2 and above such as Tyler Corner (for a large fee) and now in pole position for Andrew Dallas and Jesse Debrah. The money in conference now is huge.

I would like us to sign Andrew Dallas he looks a good prospect.

Nick Powell signs for Stockport

Cordner and Debrah are probably the best two CBs in non league. Would've hoped we were looking at one of them.

Dont be silly, we will probably end up signing Cian Harries on loan from Aldershot

Mental signing for League Two.

7k a week apparently

That's upper league one money

Hard to see how we’re going to compete this year if those figures are going around

He’s a waster

We’ve been in similar territory before and competed..09/10 an example that comes to mind. A competent manager and a well drilled squad should at least have us in the play off mix.

I think I saw someone ask the other day what classes as a marquee signing in L2 - Powell is certainly that.

How is he a waster?

I wonder why no league one team wanted him.

For all we know they did, but Stockport could have offered more…

I meant more for players that we’re competing for. Obviously not everyone is going for 7k but with those sort of numbers dragging up the average wage offers for the better players this year, I can see us struggling to compete financially for the top targets

Either way that's crazy money for league 2

From a Crewe fan

‘ I'll be very surprised if Powell lasts the full 3 years at Stockport given his lack of fitness and the fact he just doesn't enjoy the game.

Will get an excellent reception when he comes back here though. Any Crewe fan who boos him is a prized idiot. But I find it enormously sad that arguably one of our greatest ever players seemingly destined for big things back in 2012 is back in League Two before he's even turned 30.

A wasted talent and a career that will now be unfulfilled.’

His record is bloody good, gets a lot of goals for a midfielder too.
If he keeps himself fit he’s the best player in this league by a long way.

Don’t think just being “well drilled” this season will be enough for that. Of course, it’s still League Two, however, the quality looks a level above this time around. It may well transpire that it’s your usual, bog standard fourth division, however, on paper currently, looks like you’ll need a bit more quality than normal to be in and around the top 7.

Just means clubs will be taking points off each other all season long.

According to last seasons Stoke accounts he was on £11k a week at Stoke and was after a similar amount this season.

Anywhere near that, or even the £7k mentioned is mental for L2.

League 2 becoming the new Saudi😀

Good news for Al-Dershot

We had Adam Rooney on £7k a week in league 2 ten years ago   :D
We started this!

I think Notts County did that way before us in 2009 paying Lee Hughes £10k a week!

Was that the Sven era?
There is a brilliant podcast on all of that on the BBC.

That was just before Sven, fucking hell they fucked up massively and cost them millions.

At least PdC got a decent team out of it all and with a little more backing would have got us into the Championship, but I also fully understand Black getting fed up with the loss of money.

Been said hundreds of times, its just a shame because we could feasibly be in Bournemouths position now. But its all water under the bridge!

Afraid not !!,  we’ll never forget what those cheating bastards got away with.

Sullay Kaikai leaving MK Dongs to join Rotherham after turning down a new contract, that will weaken Dongs this season.

Not disputing our reckless spending in the Di Canio era, but didn't we sign him when we were in league 1?

I'd forgotten a lot of this sorry saga! http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=ROONEYAD

Ex Town target Adrian Mariappa signs a new contract at Salford just weeks after being told he was released.

AFCW add their 9th pre season signing in the experienced keeper Alex Bass from Sunderland.

Will Boyle to Wrexham

I saw he was wanted by Rovers and Stockport too so that may well not happen.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/wrexham-stockport-bristol-rovers-and-fleetwood-in-chase-for-huddersfield-player/

According to their fans it’s happened

Wallsall look set to dign another 4.

Rovers fans seem to think him previously playing for Cheltenham gives them the edge.

Still no signing confirmed yet by anyone though.

Confirmed now. Wrexham getting going

FGR sign experienced keeper Luke Daniels after his release from Middlesborough.

Annoyingly I thought FGR might have been one of the sides to struggle this season, and they still could, but that's a couple of reasonable signings they've made this week, nothing exciting, but solid enough.

TBH mate I think most sides have already made 2 or 3 very good signings so far. Some sides seem to have made even more of what I would call "solid for L2" signings.

Its going to be a tough season even if we do sign a few good players.

Yeah absolutely agree JJ. I think even Harrogate have made some decent signings for this level. On paper, the standard does appear to have increased. Let's see how it plays out on grass, where it matters though.

Here is the view "so far" from The League Paper on new signings and predictions.

https://www.theleaguepaper.com/latest-news/football-league-division-two/399115/league-two-preview-and-predictions-the-runners-and-riders-as-2023-24-campaign-gets-under-way/

Absolutely, on grass is where it matters and if they take a long time to gel it could slow their starts, but being many of them are in well before the season starts then that could also give them a boost in togetherness too over the sides who sign players later in the window.

I think that is pretty fair tbh - I have us down as ~10th with the current activity

Agreed, I think most think that without adding to the squad we are a mid table team, hopefully a few good additions will see us in the top 7 with a chance of a top 3.

We were 10th last season right? So losing Reed, Gladwin, Williams, Baudry (i know he was injured for most of it), McDonald. Jephcott, Brynn etc has been offset with a full season of Austin, Brewitt and McEachran, and swapping manager for Flynn. And that leaves us on par with last season.

Jury has to be out on Flynn given Walsall's season, as much as i like what he has said so far. But i don't see how we claim to be as strong as last season, especially when the league is stronger.

We are bottom half territory at the moment.

I don't know if the league is stronger top to bottom as much as there are just better teams at the top. I'd argue there are clearer troubled sides already this year (Crawley, Morecambe). 10th sounds about right to me, but it's the kind of 10th where the playoff dream dies early, rather than the just missing out kind.

FWIW I currently have us about 16th. Good enough to be away from trouble, but a very tedious season.

Obviously that will change when Flynn brings in a proper spine of the side.

We can but hope ;)

I recon 10th to 12th currently.

There are far too many goals and assists in the team for a bottom half position imo. Probably wrong

With the current squad i think that's about right...

We coukd be looking at a  long depressing season

If Austin stays fit for the season, possibly

He is currently 20-1 to be top goalscorer in the league

The thing is we are a few players down on last season, important players like Brynn and Williams and havent added anythone other than an untried keeper.

When Morris was here we fell as low as 13th IIRC which is (just) in the bottom half.

But we havent added to the squad just taken away from it. (currently).

Yeah thats very much my view. And in hindsight the points from last season were won in the front half, and we had a lot more in the team at that point than we did in the tail half.

We may well assemble a squad worthy of top 10 prediction, but at this point, i just cant see it at all.

yeah that's possibly fair. You have to take Jonny Williams' goals and assists away but if you have Austin over a period of a season, you probably have them and more. Wakeling is a year older and so could add more to his contribution. You'd think a fully fit RHM might also weigh in more.

Perhaps my prediction is overly negative thinking about it.

Honestly think swapping Morris for Flynn will see us just outside the play offs with what we have at the moment.

I imagine Austin’s, Wakelings, RHM and Huttons goal contributions is bloody high between them. They’re all still here.

That seems on paper quite generous.

Wakeling and RHM (if fit too) I think we forget how many games Wakeling was played on the wing and even wingback last season. Great first season really

I would think lower mid table obscurity. But my worry is, that with no additions and a few defensive mistakes leading to defeats and a loss of confidence, we could be in a bit of trouble come the season's end. I can see us being a bit like Scunthorpe (was that last season or the season before?) where they played pretty football, but couldn't open teams up to score goals.

Manny Monthe signs for Northampton

Wakelings attributes are very similar to that of Padraig Amond. Given how Flynn was able to get the best out of Amonds, feel he could do the same with Wakeling.

They are L1 now ;)

The problem is injuries, scratch away at the first 11 and there is nothing underneath.

That was what happened to Flynn at Walsall.

https://therealefl.co.uk/2023/07/14/gillingham-beaten-by-national-league-side-in-race-for-20-goal-forward/

There is some money in the Conference this year, if York can outbid moneybags Jills for a striker!

Hope he is better than the striker Ayr sold us last summer!

He scored more in a single season and has scored way more in his career, so I think he probably will be!

Who knows, Adeloye may still come good? :D

He may have to :) You never know, Flynn may get a tune out of him. Stranger things have happened.

Colchester sign keeper Owen Goodman.

Crawley sign forward Klaidi Lolos .

Wrexham look about to sign midfielder Matty Virtue from Blackpool.

MKD in for a windfall from the possible sale of Matt O'Riley from Celtic to Sevilla or Betis for £10m with a 20% sell on clause.

Stockport bedding 250k for Scott Banks from Palace. He had a very good loan spell at Bradford last season.

Gillingham signing Sheyi Ojo

That's ridiculous.

We really are fucked this season aren't we.

With the lack of signings some reckon our first eleven will be ok.....bottom half of the table maybe if that's deemed as acceptable!

If you want to be negative it's the same squad as last year where we finished mid table. Minus our keeper who saved us loads of points and Williams who many would argue is our best player.

We also have a manager who's last club finished below our shower and went 20 odd games without a win.

I'm not saying this season CAN'T be good, but there's nothing so far that indicates it will be.

The worrying thing is how strong many teams have become making us in theory weaker unless some quality is brought in.

Jeez Louise. There are a few clubs in this division this year who are just ridiculous. Not sure the average L2 team is better than last year, but the top five or six absolutely are.

They obviously want a big name after missing out on Alfie May. If a league 1 club come in for him surely he'll go there over Gillingham?

They are also linked with Joe Piggott from Ipswich.

There's saying you want out of league 2 like Clem says then there's teams showing intent of getting out of league 2 like Gillingham, Stockport, Wrexham etc.

Whilst we’re missing out on League Two level players to teams like Sutton and Walsall

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/league-two/startseite/wettbewerb/GB4

Thought I'd check back in on the squad sizes up and down the division a week or two on from the last time we did. These are just taken straight from Transfermarkt so have a few quirks (although we no longer have Gunning registered there, it does count Harvey Fox)

31 Doncaster
30 AFC Wimbledon
28 Bradford, Wrexham
26 Stockport
25 MK, Mansfield, Grimsby, Crawley
24 Gillingham
23 Accrington, Sutton, Notts County
22 Tranmere, Barrow, Walsall
21 Salford, FGR, Crewe, Colchester, Swindon Town, Harrogate
19 Newport
17 Morecambe

Definitely a little behind, but one or two completed deals and it looks a bit rosier. We are now the youngest squad in the division though, Crewe (yes, that Crewe) have overtaken us. We're 22.9yrs on average, compared to the divisional average of 26.0.

Gillingham look favourites to land ex Town target Joe Pigott, the striker who bagged 1 goal every 3 games for AFC Wimbledon a couple of years ago and 1 goal every 3.7 games in a 400 game career.

Did he specify which way though....

That's a very good question😁

Accrington look to be about to sign their first player of the window in Coventry City defender George Burroughs.

Posh not after Junior Tchamadeu from Colchester so could be after Hutton again.

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/peterborough-united-are-not-in-the-running-to-sign-highly-rated-colchester-united-right-backand-heres-how-they-could-line-up-at-reading-on-opening-day-4220529

Stockport County after Crystal Palace winger Scott Banks.
 

Wrexham bidding £200k to sign Blackpools Matt Virtue.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/wrexham-eyeing-up-six-figure-transfer-swoop-for-blackpool-player/

Forest Green sign Matty Taylor from Oxford

Can't imagine his wages come cheap!

Nope - that’s an impressive signing!

Rather have Charlie!

Struggled to make the step up to league 1 a bit but should get a few goals back in League 2 for FGR.

Double figures every season in league one bar last season.
Struggled in the Championship mind

Swindon fucking Town sign Dan Kemp on a season long loan from MK

Accrington are the last club to make a signing, the loan of defender Brad Hills from Norwich.

Colchester have so far turned down 2 offers for 19 year old defender Tchamadeu as both did not meet their valuation thought to be £500k+.

Crawley sign a 22 year old forward Ade Adeyemo. He scored 15 in 39 goals last season for Cray Valley Paper Mills and has also played for Hayes & Yeading, Beckenham Town and Fisher.

I don't think Crawley are going to do very well this season somehow.

Cray Paper Mills cannot be a real team.

Sorry Cray Valley Paper Mills are the team!

Colchester sign midfielder playmaker Mauro Bandeira from Arsenal on loan.

Posh sign Peter Kioso on loan from Rotherham, a RWB which probably means they will no longer pursue Hutton.

Also signed Jay Williams from Brackley, who had only been there 3 weeks after leaving Banbury.

He was decent for Banbury when he did play last season, but not league 2 level. Bit like Morgan Roberts.

He was sent off 4 times last season!

Interesting to see where Crawley have signed players from, only 1 signings from a current league club.

midfielder Liam Kelly - Rochdale
centre-back Joy Mukena - St Albans
striker Danilo Orsi - Grimsby
winger Harry Forster - Bromley
striker Klaidi Lolos - Oxford City
striker Ade Ademyo - Cray Valley Paper Mills
defender Jay Williams - Brackley

It doesn't exactly shout crypto millionaires...

It does not.

Poor Gladwin being forced to join that basket case.

Maybe super Scott lindsey with his passion will get them going.

It shouts financial issues to me, budget cuts and hoping to bag a cheap half decent player or 6 to keep them in the league.

I predict a season of severe struggle for them this year.

CEO and DoF both left at the end of the season as did the 1st team coach, rudderless ship.

They will be top of the league in both badge thumping potential and likelihood of tetchy post-loss interviews.

Almost inclined to read lindseys comments about these players when they signed just for shits and giggles.

yeah I think Crawley may be the strongest team in the league next season. And by that I mean holding all the others up above of them!

Salford have signed defender Curtis Tilt after he left Wigan. On paper that sounds like another good signing for them. 

Echoes of us last season really, but to a drastic extent.  We all know how well that went..

either Lindsay is a genius or he's fucked

I know what my money’s on.

Cray Valley Paper Mills - Wow!

In fairness - he can’t lose.

If he gets absolutely anywhere other than rock bottom with those signings he’ll be known as a miracle worker.
If it’s a dumpster fire he can basically lay the blame at the recruitment / finances - assume he isn’t the one making the signings at the expense of ‘actual’ L2 standard signings

Our experience suggests that it is unlikely to be the former...

He can lose hugely financially though.

Team performs shit, Crawley go into admin, he loses his job with no severance pay or redundancy money as the club file for insolvancy and end.

I suppose but the blame for all that wouldn’t be put on his shoulders.
His stock wouldn’t be any worse were that too happen.

I know its early and there are many factors but if I was a gambling man I would put money on Crawley either being relegated or not completing the season.

All the players are Lindseys picks apparently as hes the last person at the club, all the rest of the staff appear to have left, DoF, chief scout, CEO and coach.

I honestly couldn't give a gnats arse about Crawley, albeit I would feel a bit sorry for their fans if they were relegated as I would for fans of any team so affected.

On the bright side its only one relegation spot we have to avoid at the end of the season.

I'm in agreement Venks. Since those Crypto geeks have taken over it's all been a bit odd at Crawley. They were regarded by many to be one of the favourites to go up last season but it was a total car crash. Bet365 (other betting sites are available) have them second favourites behind Harrogate at 7/2. Perhaps the goals of Telford might save them, without him, I think they are going down, and fast.

I've never really liked Crawley, no real reason why. I was overcharged for a bacon roll there once and their setup is all a bit non-league which probably has a bearing and so if I had to choose a team to go down, they'd be quite high up the list.

Says the same in every interview, shouldn't be hard to work out.

2 words.
Steve
Evans

Even though hes long left them the arrogance of thier fans grated on me a lot, petty I know as we are as guilty of that at the time too I am sure.

I hear Telford is being touted to clubs to get his (alleged) £5k per week off the books, he turned down a move to Orient in January as they werent willing to pay more than 50% of the wage he wanted. And who can blame him losing 50% earnings on a contract given out by a group of chancers.

Gills no longer interested in Sheyi Ojo apparently, but sign Shadrach Ogie from Leyton Orient.

Tranny have signed left-back Jake Leake on loan from Hull City.

Tranmere also sold Ethan Bristow to Minnesota united for an undisclosed fee. (rumoured to be around 300k)

Just confirmed Jesse Debrah has left Halifax. I wonder . . .

Debrah is going t'Barnsley.

I do note that Mickey Demetriou, who allegedly was going to join Crewe, hasn't signed anywhere yet. I wonder if Flynn might look to resurrect something there. Despite being 33, Newport fans reckon he's still reliable at this level.

Going to Barnsley apparently.

That was supposed to be last week.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc-target-jesse-debrah-confirms-departure-from-national-league-club-fc-halifax-town-4223878

He'd be perfect as our right-sided CB. I suspect if Barnsley are interested we have next to no chance of signing him, however.

Would have loved him too as our RCB. Having spoken to someone in the industry, Debrah was demanding a minimum of £3k a week as well so probably out of our ball park

Demanding more than 3k a week having never played above National League. Games gone.

Gilling have just signed Shadrach Ogie from Orient, his first club was Pike Rovers

Was told a few of our targets have asked for over 4k a week, 3 times their most recent wage

https://youtu.be/DJ-EutNDgZQ

that's frustrating.

either they get it elsewhere or they come back later with their tail between their legs

Which aligns with what Flynn said about the inflated market.

Thought £3k per week wouldn’t be over the top.  No doubt some of our present squad are paid that.

It sounds a lot but everything else in the world has gone up so not surprising they are asking for higher wages.

No chance any of our current squad are on that, Austin at a push but still doubt it.

Top earner Adeloye?

What was our budget last year? Circa 2 million quid?

No idea… but I’m sure Williams was one of our highest earners last year, and he signed his contract when we had a £1200 pw embargo.
So that says all you need to know.

I'd seen reports he was on £1200 pw and other reports he was on nearer £4k so I'm none the wiser really.

Payne was on £5k a week, albeit we were only paying half of it.
We then offered him an amount which was less than that, but would have made him out top earner (can assume around £4k), but that’s our top earner/best player, not going to happen for a defender

Well the embargo wouldn’t have allowed that as far as I’m aware.
I have no idea what his actual wages were, but we were definitely limited to what we could offer during the Garner season, and I’d be amazed if any of the dross we signed last season was on much higher than that.

I have been told by a very reliable source that Williams was on around £1,400 IIRC which was the top wage allowed under the embargo at the time, his first season with us. He was given a wage rise at the end of that season but was still on well under £2k per week and probably not much more than £1.6k, and he was our highest earner. I am sure Austin could be nearer £3k per week but no player in our squad will be anywhere near £4k a week, not in a million years.

I doubt Adeloye would be on any more than £1k per week max which was a wage rise compared to what he was on at Ayr.

We got around that by extending his deal for the 2nd season taking his wages over the 2 seasons to a very healthy one

I was told that Williams was after an extra £1k per week and would have been happy to stay.

We declined.

Good

Well, if he was on 1200 and wanted 2200, I think he's worth it

Alternatively you get a younger lad in with better stats for a fraction of the cost.

It's an interesting part of the omerta of football that we really don't have a clue how much anyone is paid. Considering how much everything else leaks, there really isn't much to go on bar often wildly different speculation

hopefully that works out on the pitch too.

we've nothing to base whether it was good business yet.

Solihull sign Jose Labadie. Thank god.

No and w don't have much to say williams going is bad business either. Based on recent performances they both offer a similar return

Fantastic news.

Said before we offered Danny Johnson 3k a week and he signed for Walsall instead who offered him more…

Mad wages for L2.

Then it comes down are you better off getting 3/4 decent players and backfilling the squad or having no decent players but a full squad of good players

Depends on whether you can improve the 'good' players or get synergy through playing them effectively. I think our last 2 managers have struggled to get synergy from some very average players plus the odd gem.

I think this manager was employed because he has been successful in the past with a small budget. Maybe he will do better than his predecessors in getting the best out of the remaining squad.

More problems at Crawley apparently.

Yeah I saw that this morning - this doesn't sound good for them at all. Nadesan was their player of the season as well last season. I saw another rumour suggesting they are trying to offload Dom Telford as well. Without him, I reckon they are toast.

They have been trying to offload Telford since the last window when he was offered to Orient who couldnt afford his wages.

Did he score quite a few for Newport under Flynn? Whether we could afford his wages or think he's worth it is another matter.

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Yes Flynn was his manager at Newport when he had the purple patch. I doubt we could get near his "alleged" £5k per week but if we offered Crawley a portion then the wage bill would be lowered.

Orient are keeping an eye on the situation again so could be holding the trump cards in L1 and with a bigger budget than us (obviously).

Telford does have a good touch on him but would probably be too similar to Wakeling/RHM (if a lot more experienced). He plays off a big targetman usually, in a number 10 role or as a 2nd striker.

Not sure a 5'7" striker will be suitable to calm the perpetually peeved?

I'd be surprised if the majority aren't happy with a signing of someone of that quality.

We could stuff extra socks down his boots to add an inch or two?

If that was true we’d all be stuffing socks down our Y-fronts!

Crawley:

JAKE HESSENTHALER DEPARTS BY MUTUAL CONSENT

don't think he played much last season though

Assuming that we won't be a potential relagation rival to Crawley then I wouldn't mind seeing Lindsey rise to the challenge of keeping them in the league.

Would much rather see one or two of the big spenders for this season fall flat on their faces.
It does happen.

Anyway, given the rate of our recruitment so far a "Where are we going to finish" poll thread isn't likely to appear until towards the end of the window with 2 or 3 games in the bag.
It's pretty pointless to see speculate on that at this stage other than a snapshot view of things.

Walsall apparently in talks to sign Jesse Debrah

I think they could be dark horses this season - certainly look to be building a fairly solid defence.

I thought he had gone to Barnsley?

Know-it-all Nixon said yesterday the move to Barnsley was pretty much a done deal, but that never happened. I wonder if Debrah's agent is angling for more ££ and Walsall are taking the bait.

Hopefully he fancies a move further south and Flynn can get involved.

Newport sign Seb Palmer-Houlden on loan from Bristol City.

Did he play for us the other day?

He did

Cant believe he turned us down in favour of Newport.
Must be paying more of his wages because we are bankrupt

Morecambe add their 10th signing with the signing of highly rated 19 year old 6 foot 6 striker Tom Bloxham on loan from Shrewsbury.

Experienced 31 year old striker Curtis Main turns down Wrexham to sign for Indian Premier League side Bengaluru FC.

career move then, soapy tit wank

Jake Jervis, formerly of this Parish, is also playing in India. (for East Bengal FC) I think India are making a small play for these type of players. Bangalore have some kind of link up with Rangers, so there is perhaps a bit of a Scottish link there.

Had to use his own Shower Gel...deal breaker!

Demetriou to Crewe confirmed.

Accrington make their 2nd signing Josh Andrews from Birmingham.

Walsall sign keeper Jackson Smith from Wolves, their 8th new signing so far.

Newport sign defender Ryan Delaney from Morecambe making him their 7th new signing and look set to sell Omar Bogle to an unnamed club.

Tranmere sign defender Joe Yarnley from Oldham their 7th new signing.

AFC Wimbledon look set to sign midfielder James Ball from Rochdale for their 10th signing of this season.

Bogle would be a decent signing. Better than 1 in 3 overall, mainly above L2 as well.

yeah he's someone you can look at and say 'i can see why the signed him' even if it goes wrong.

I'll temper my excitement though!

I think we are now the only L2 side not to make a permanent signing after Accrington signed Kelvin Mellor…

Positive spin. It’s good to see us being so selective. I’d rather nobody (for now) than Harries and co. Unlike last season, we have a manager and assistant that know what is needed in this league.

FGR sign another goalkeeper 22-year-old Jamie Searle from Barnsley.

Notts County make an offer for Jesse Debrah.

AFC Wimbledon look set to sign another goalkeeper Ryan Sandford 24 from Millwall.

Gills look set to sign 2 strikers in the coming 2 weeks with one being a loan youngster.

Accrington add another defender Lewis Shipley from Norwich.

Just putting some numbers on the first post and the loan/perm split

ACCRINGTON STANLEY
2 Loans
1 Permanent

AFC WIMBLEDON
2 Loans
7 Permanent

BARROW
0 Loans
7 Permanent

BRADFORD CITY
1 Loan
5 Permanent

COLCHESTER UNITED
3 Loans
5 Permanent

CRAWLEY TOWN
7 Permanent

CREWE ALEXANDRA
1 Loan
4 Permanent

DONCASTER ROVERS
1 Loan
6 Permanent

FOREST GREEN ROVERS
6 Permanent

GILLINGHAM
4 Permanent

GRIMSBY TOWN
1 Loan
9 Permanent

HARROGATE TOWN
8 Permanent

MANSFIELD TOWN
5 Permanent

Franchise
5 Permanent

MORECAMBE
1 Loan
9 Permanent

NEWPORT COUNTY
1 Loan
6 Permanent

NOTTS COUNTY
5 Permanent

SALFORD CITY
3 Permanent

STOCKPORT COUNTY
6 Permanent

SUTTON UNITED
7 Permanent

SWINDON TOWN
2 Loans

TRANMERE ROVERS
1 Loan
6 Permanent

WALSALL
1 Loan
7 Permanent

WREXHAM
1 Permanent


5.4 permanent signings per club on average.

Updated new signings table 4pm 24/07 in numerical order of the quantity of signings.

11 (2 loans) MORECAMBE
10 (1 loan) GRIMSBY TOWN
9 (2 loans) AFC WIMBLEDON
8 (1 loan)  DONCASTER ROVERS
8 (0 loans) HARROGATE TOWN
8 (0 loans) BARROW
8 (3 loans) COLCHESTER UNITED
8 (1 loan)  WALSALL
7 (0 loans) SUTTON UNITED
7 (1 loan)  TRANMERE ROVERS
7 (0 loans) CRAWLEY TOWN
7 (1 loan)  NEWPORT COUNTY
6 (1 loan)  BRADFORD CITY
6 (1 loan)  FOREST GREEN ROVERS
6 (0 loans) STOCKPORT COUNTY
5 (0 loans) MANSFIELD TOWN
5 (0 loans) NOTTS COUNTY
5 (1 loan)  CREWE ALEXANDRA
5 (0 loans) Franchise
5 (0 loans) GILLINGHAM
4 (3 loans) ACCRINGTON STANLEY
3 (0 loans) SALFORD CITY
2 (2 loans) SWINDON TOWN
1 (0 loans) WREXHAM

Bugger took me an hour to double check that! took too long and young Mr Nemo beat me!

Ha, sorry PV. We don't even agree on Salford...

I meant zero :D

Morecambe have made 10 signings and they are an absolute basket case of a club!

They were a bit like us in the Garner season.

Yes they started pre season with just 7 players, now they have 17.

EDIT, They just added loan player Michael Mellon from Burnley to make it 18 players.

Junior Tchamadeu asks for a transfer away from Col Utd.

https://insidefutbol.com/2023/07/24/defender-makes-clear-desire-to-join-stoke-city-as-potters-push-to-sign-him/612186/

Scott Malone signs for Gillingham. Says something about the window that this isn’t one of the crazier signings this summer

Not EFL, but Chris Maguire has joined Eastleigh. Is it THAT Maguire?

Yes it is, fresh from his ban for betting

Isn't Eastleigh owned by a prominent Oxford fan? hence the friendlies each year and lots of ex Pox players joining them in the last few years including their manager Lee Bradbury?

Yeah Stewart Donald, the guy who had an attempt at running Sunderland.

Aramide Oteh is ther latest to jump ship at Crawley leaving them refusing to sign a new contract, scored 7 goals in 44 games last season so hes a big loss for them. He promptly signs for Walsall.

Its looking bleak for Crawley but Lindsey seems to diagree though.

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-boss-really-pleased-with-the-transfer-business-the-club-is-doing-and-there-are-more-signings-to-come-4230628

Sam Pearson who appeared for Swindon in the friendly against his club City last week appears to have chosen Notts County as the destination for a season long loan. Jesse Debrah also in talks over a contract there.

Doncaster sign right back Tom Nixon on loan from Hull.

Rumoured Swindon Trialist (which evidently wasn't) Anthony Gomez-Mancini has offered a deal with Hartlepool United.

Sulley Kaikai turns down a new contract at MKD to sign for Cambridge.

Walsall sign Motherwell's midfielder Ross Tierney on loan.

Updated new signings table 10am 26/7 in numerical order of the quantity of signings.

11 (2 loans) MORECAMBE
10 (2 loans)  WALSALL
10 (1 loan) GRIMSBY TOWN
10 (0 loans) BARROW
9 (2 loans) AFC WIMBLEDON
9 (2 loans)  DONCASTER ROVERS
9 (0 loans) SUTTON UNITED
8 (0 loans) HARROGATE TOWN
8 (1 loan)  NEWPORT COUNTY
8 (1 loans) CRAWLEY TOWN
8 (3 loans) COLCHESTER UNITED
7 (1 loans) STOCKPORT COUNTY
7 (1 loan)  TRANMERE ROVERS
6 (1 loan)  BRADFORD CITY
6 (1 loan)  FOREST GREEN ROVERS
5 (0 loans) MANSFIELD TOWN
5 (0 loans) NOTTS COUNTY
5 (1 loan)  CREWE ALEXANDRA
5 (1 loans) SALFORD CITY
5 (0 loans) Franchise
5 (0 loans) GILLINGHAM
4 (3 loans) ACCRINGTON STANLEY
2 (2 loans) SWINDON TOWN
1 (0 loans) WREXHAM

So, we are the only club who has nil permanent new signings.

Is any signing ever really permanent? I think the only ones that feel permanent are the long contracts handed out to shit players. You sign a guy that's a superstar and they are sold as quickly as if they were recalled from a loan.

(yes i'm trying to justify our approach)

it's a long way to say yes!

we are all dust in the wind
dust in the wind

 :tumbleweed:

We are obviously just bidding on the same players as Wrexham to delay their signings.

Maybe some of our prime targets are waiting on offers from the Saudi 3rd or 4th tier to materialise.
£3k a week with a house thrown in by all accounts.

Salford sign keeper Joe Wright from Millwall on loan.

Crawley sign keeper Luca Ashby-Hammond from Fulham on loan.

Sutton sign Scott Kashket

He rings a bell from a couple of seasons ago

Think we were linked a couple of years back

Wrexham after James Norwood

Neither a rumour or a transfer but Paul Mullin has suffered a punctured lung injury and is likely to miss our game with them next month.

Horrible challenge from the GK.

Colchester defender Tommy Smith set to sign MKD on a free

Barrow sign Owen Bray from Leeds and winger Sean Elaluku from Burnley both 18 year olds.

FGR sell defender Corey O'Keefe to Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.

Salford sign winger Connor McLennan from Aberdeen.

6 to 8 weeks out minimum apparently.

oh jeez. ouch

Its a shame because I would have liked to have beaten them at full strength, now when we win it will be tarnished!

Aberdeen defender Jayden Richardson joins Stockport County on season-long loan.

Omari Patrick to Sutton

The most Sutton signing you can imagine.

Decent signing that.

Sutton have made some solid L2 signings so far, Smith, Patrick and Kashket strikers as well as Arnold in goal.

must be paying over the odds the fools

They are begining to resemble the way Stevenage put a squad together last season, getting in solid experienced L2 performers, could be the surprise package this coming season.

Annoyingly, there seems to be a fair number of 'surprise' packages. I initially had Sutton down as also rans, but they've made some astute signings. I don't think they will trouble the chasing pack, but I wouldn't fall off my chair if they did. I also think Walsall might be up there, and Grimsby seem to be trending upwards, yes both teams churn seems quite big but they look to have done some handy work in the transfer market.

I thought he was totally anonymous when we played Carlisle at the CG.

It wasnt his best game for them TBH but he looked really handy in the away game up there early in the season. Big strong and quick, not the best final ball but always eager and a handful for our defenders.

Absolutely, Sutton, Grimsby and Walsall could all be challenging around the play offs with a good tail wind IMO based upon signings so far.

Stoke City defender David Okagbue is poised to join Walsall on loan making him their 9th signing of the close season.

Conor Whickham having a trial at Wrexham.

Didn't Walsall sign a load of players last season as well🤔

Everyone does at this level these days, with short contracts and loan players.

Nadesan, Crawley to Gillingham

Not going to pretend I know how good all the players Crawley are selling are, but their fans seem to be expecting relegation more and more with each departure

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/league-two/startseite/wettbewerb/GB4

As of today and Adeloye going out, we have the smallest squad in the division tied with Morecambe - Transfermarkt count us as having 19 with Harvey Fox included, but I'm fairly sure he's still with the U18s on an extended scholarship.

The average side has 24.25 players.

We also have the youngest squad at 23.1 years.

I don't think I'm a particularly miserable fan, and a few weeks ago I was perfectly happy to wait for signings, but this is getting concerning now.

I'm intrigued If we do have players lined up why is it taking so long to sign them plus are they still training with their parent clubs🤔

Hoping there’s a couple coming in tomorrow or that will be every new signing coming in without any sniff of pre season with us. Then it’ll take them time to catch up fitness wise and gel with the squad and by the time that’s happened we are almost a month into the season.

Has that Jesse Debrah turned up anywhere? Last week it seemed every club in L1 and 2 were linked.

Has kinsella been training with us?

Still is apparently.

Lot of fannying about isn't there.

JMT was on Trial. Kinsella training with us.

These are experience players with 100's of EFL games under their belt. If they are here and good enough why aren't they signed?

If we want Kinsella then great. Get it done (if it isn't already) or we risk somebody else swooping in.

It's all just very bizzare. Are we just lining 4-5 up all at once? that would be fun.

That dosen't add up if true he can't be on trial.

I'm sure Adeloye wage free up will see one come in pretty quickly

I'd imagine it's an insurance thing to be called trialist until signed/leaves.

Either we are negotiating or waiting to afford him.

he's certainly not 'on trial' in that sense.

like ward was really

LS pod’s theory is the delay is simply down to penny pinching and saving on having to pay him until closer to the season. Not sure we could get too much closer mind, certainly a risk if someone else fancies him!

Assuming players get paid monthly I guess we’ve missed having to pay July wages…

So, if we are going to get a mad influx all at once for the above reason it’ll be on the 1st of August…
I won’t hold my breath

As interest rates are so high, perhaps the club are trying to leave investments untouched to eek out as much return as possible :)

Updated new signings table 5pm 3/8 in numerical order of the quantity of signings.

13 (2 loans) STOCKPORT COUNTY
12 (3 loans) MORECAMBE
11 (0 loans) BARROW
11 (2 loan) CRAWLEY TOWN
10 (2 loans)  WALSALL
10 (1 loan) GRIMSBY TOWN
10 (2 loans)  NEWPORT COUNTY
10 (1 loans) SUTTON UNITED
9 (2 loans) AFC WIMBLEDON
9 (2 loans)  DONCASTER ROVERS
9 (3 loans) COLCHESTER UNITED
8 (0 loans) HARROGATE TOWN
8 (1 loans) SALFORD CITY
7 (1 loan)  TRANMERE ROVERS
6 (1 loan)  BRADFORD CITY
6 (1 loan)  FOREST GREEN ROVERS
6 (0 loans) GILLINGHAM
6 (1 loan) NOTTS COUNTY
6 (0 loans) Franchise
6 (0 loans) MANSFIELD TOWN
5 (1 loan)  CREWE ALEXANDRA
4 (3 loans) ACCRINGTON STANLEY
4 (3 loans) SWINDON TOWN
1 (0 loans) WREXHAM

Ex Town target Jordan Fankwe joins Salford from Watford on a free.

They've got Darcy incoming  ;)

Newport sign Jonny Maxted and Adam Lewis

Maxted is an attrocious keeper. Lewis looks a decent signing though.

Notts County sign Wolves defender Ollie Tipton on loan.

Morecambe sign midfielder Eli King on loan from Cardiff.

MKD sign experienced defender Tommy Smith from Colchester as Zak Jules leaves them for Exeter.

Tranmere look about to sign Rangers winger Alex Lowry on loan.

You have us signing Liam Kinsella's old man in the first post by the way. Some player he was, but probably past his best at 50.

He could still do a job for us, we need players.

Quite the sporting family to be fair…

Stockport considering matching a bid from Blackpool for Crystal Palace striker Scott Banks of £500k!

Crawley sign 20 year old West Ham midfielder Kamarai Swyer on a season long loan.

Barrow sign 19 year old CB Malakai Reeve from Coventry City.

FGR look ready to sign defender Darnell Johnson from Fleetwood.

Stockport County have brought in Taylor McMahon and Ackeme Francis-Burrell following their exits from Stoke City and Wolves respectively, with Nic Bollado has joined from Carlisle United, Sam Bird from Fleetwood Town and Josh Popoola from AFC Bournemouth.

Colchester sign 21 year old goalkeeper Tom Smith from Arsenal.

Junior Tchamadeu looks set to leave Colchester before Saturdays game with Swindon which will weaken them significantly, Colchester expecting a bid of £1.5m for the youngster from Stoke to be accepted this week.

Stockport's squad must be enormous!

What’s happened to Debrah? Know he’s failed a medical.

I understand they (and Barrow and Colchester) are creating B teams so several of their younger signings may not be ready for the 1st team yet.

Barrow, Colchester and now Stockport have all signed 4 or 5 younger players to try and bring through the ranks ala the Keily/Sandro model but without the risk of relying on them starting every week, which we had to do.

Northampton and Notts County have taken him on trial in the last 9 days but neither have made a serious offer for him yet.

Personally I think he would be a big gamble signing a defender with zero football league experience and a poor history of injuries.

He’s OOC, though. Just wages then?

Nicom reckons Halifax want a fee for him.

As you say though, i thought he was OOC

He’s 22 so they’re due compo I think same as UGM as they offered him a new deal. Although not sure if that is any different as they’re non league

I think Halifax are still due compensation according to an article I read which stated -

"Debrah's contract at Halifax expired at the end of June, which means Barnsley will not have to negotiate a transfer fee with the non-league club.

However, as he's under the age of 24, the Shaymen will be due some compensation but that is likely to be a nominal, five-figure fee."

It does seem to be a long, drawn out process. I wonder if his agent is playing silly buggers.

Sutton United have signed Shrewsbury Town forward Aiden O'Brien on loan.

Are tribunals known for awarding high compensation figures? It can’t be that much for a non league player.

We got stung for £250k for Troy Archibald-Henville which tells you everything you need to know

Barring the injuries, he was a more than capable defender

how the bloody hell have Colchester and barrow got budget for b team punts?

Isn’t the compensation usually linked to the contract length & wages being offered.

It used to be yes, hence we had the issue with Colin Calderwoods £32,500 compensation to Mansfield which got us into the original financial problems from the FA, we said we were paying CC a lot less than we actually were by way of hidden bonuses etc.

No idea if its still the same though. It seems to be based upon years at the selling club with development fees etc as well as contract offered by the selling club and the one by the buying club etc with many add ons.

Crawley sign 26 year old defender Will Wright from Gillingham.

Colchester defender Frankie Terry goes out on loan to Chelmesford.

Stockport let new signing from Hull - Billy Chadwick go out on loan at Gateshead for the season. Weird considering he only signed 2 weeks ago on a 1 year contract with Stockport.

must be an extension option then? otherwise wtf

Wrexham have had a £300k bid for an unnamed striker turned down by the selling club. Phil Parkinson ironically stating "The market has become inflated but everyone's finding that".

Yes PP mostly because every club knows you have almost bottomless pit of money and you have ruined it for every other team in L2 too.

Harrogate have turned down 3 bids for big lump striker Luke Armstrong from 3 also unnamed clubs one in Scotland, 1 in L1 and one in L2, Harrogates manager stating "the club will only consider letting Armstrong go in return for a “significant” sum of money".

Flint signing for Mansfield on a short term deal

No no no.

Not league 2 per se, but Oldham are signing James Norwood

Was he linked with Wrexham?

Another side in non league splashing cash that'll be 'inflating the market' in League Two in a year or two then.

I think so yeah

Flint signs a year deal with an option at Mansfield

I'm not gonna lie, i'd have fucking loved Aden Flint back here, exactly what we currently need.

Yup. But, probably for the best. Still look back and think he was awesome for us.

Good player, hated it at Swindon, hated Swindon fans and some of the players, lives in Alfreton so Mansfield is an absolute no brainer for him.

Horrible horrible bastard who hated it here and let people know it.

Wow, never knew he hated it here so much, what was the reason?

Didnt a youth team player knock him out on a night out because he was being cunt?

getting decked by youth team players?

Yes that is indeed correct.

Gillingham look ready to sign ex Orient, Ipswich, QPR and Charlton, Zimbabwe international striker Macauley Bonne.

Good signing at this level with almost 1 goal ever 3 games in his 350 game career.

Lanky Scarecrow cunt!

(https://i.postimg.cc/zGMNFH5k/as1r-T8p9x-Liu-B6-EJy-Hj-K8a-Xb31-C-2940713125.jpg)

So referring to the first post again for total transfer numbers across all the sides in the division:

Accrington: 1 permanent, 3 loans
AFC Wimbledon: 7 permanent, 2 loans
Barrow: 10 permanent
Bradford: 5 permanent, 1 loan
Colchester: 6 permanent, 3 loans
Crawley: 9 permanent, 2 loans
Crewe: 4 permanent, 1 loan
Doncaster: 7 permanent, 2 loans
FGR: 5 permanent, 1 loan
Gills: 6 permanent
Grimsby: 9 permanent, 1 loan
Harrogate: 8 permanent
Mansfield: 6 permanent
Franchise: 6 permanent
Morecambe: 9 permanent, 3 loans
Newport: 8 permanent, 2 loans
Notts Co: 5 permanent, 1 loan
Salford: 7 permanent, 1 loan
Stockport: 12 permanent, 1 loan
Sutton: 9 permanent, 1 loan
Swindon: 1 permanent, 3 loans
Tranmere: 6 permanent, 1 loan
Walsall: 9 permanent, 1 loan
Wrexham: 1 permanent

6.5 permanent signings per club on average. It's not great evidence for the market being completely unnavigable for clubs at our level, is it?

We continue to have the joint smallest squad (with Morecambe) and second youngest (after Crewe) According to transfermarkt

As I updated earlier in the previous post but in number of signings order.

There have been so far a lot less loan deals than usual at this stage I would say, with us, Morecambe, Colchester and Accrington the biggest loaners on 3 each :)

Argh sorry didn't realise you were maintaining. Would you mind editing that into the first post or linking to the post from the first one? Not in the habit of checking page 32!

I post a brand new one every few days but have been out all day :) but I do update the latest one each time with date and time.

It doesnt hurt to have a few extra posts as long as I count them up correctly this time!

TBH I was being lazy and not wanting to duplicate posts much.

Wrexham only signing 1 player is strange, there is no way that current squad is good enough to walk this league as their fans are expecting.

Yes I think they are finding it far more difficult to attract good players, but they did have a huge squad coming into this season still.

Not sure where the Oldham cash is coming from, their owner ain't short of a robert or two but he is much more in the Clem league v. The wrexham league of wealthy ness.

James Norwood leaving Barnsley and dropping two divisions into non-league with Oldham is pretty insane.

Believe Barnsley wanted to keep and Wrexham were also at the table.

Anthony Grant signs for Crawley again.

I loved Grant, and maybe other factors were at work under shridactual, but he looked leggy then!

Hope it works out for him personally (fuck Crawley)

Wrexham revealed they earned 1m for promotion - I presume it's a gamble.

from an Oldham fan:

Some shrewd deals with sale of players with add ons, thriving hospitality, on site gym with over 2000 members, new kit sponsor, 4000 season ticket holders and more  ground now owned by the club effectively, the club has seen a massive turnaround since Frank bought it

I think the new pitch shows they're moving in the right direction

Like a lot of people I've spent the summer scrolling daily through the BBC transfers completed page and while a shot load of signings have happened in League 2 there aren't many that I looked at and thought "he'd have done for us". There's been a lot of inexperienced youngsters from PL and Championship clubs signed. A few League 2 journeymen being swapped around by the smaller clubs and a few non-league punts being made.

Commanding, experienced centre backs have been rare. Centre back signings have generally been youngsters on loan, or players from one mid table league two side moving to another at the end of their contracts. I don't remember seeing anyone landing a player I was gutted to miss.

Of the central midfielders that have moved I think we might have got a couple of the better ones. I don't think there are many that I'd have had in place of Kemp and Kinsella. I'm not sure I've seen any left sided players for the wingback position.

All round I don't feel we've missed out on a load of players. Have I missed any significant transfers?

Not many league one clubs buy from league 2 which must say something about the quality in general.

Quite, and if we want players from higher up the league's those deals will only start to get done in the next couple of weeks.

Harry Smith is the one who I think would have been a great fit for this squad. Offers something different up top.

As we already know from quite a few pages back, we were in the mix for him but he decided to go elsewhere.

I suspect we may not have lied convincingly enough about his chances of a regular starting slot.

This is a very good point and something I’d not considered.
It must be hard for Flynn to convince forward to join.
If you saw Charlie Austin (his name alone not his current form) and RHM who we know has so much potential. Plenty of forwards would rather choose a club where they are guaranteed a starting spot.
We know both of them are injury prone but you get my point.

Yeah. You don’t want to be an experienced lower league striker who isn’t a starter.

Good point.

James McLean to Wrexham

Oh thats a good signing, very good

Not confirmed yet, but believed to be having a medical today

That'll get the section of Wrexham fans that love signing about the IRA a hardon then.

Yep, already in full swing on twitter 😑

£250,000

In Powell, Mclean, McGoldrick and I guess our own Charlie Austin, that's some proper talent kicking around Division 4 this season.

And all in league 2 for different reasons!

They’re fucking ancient!

Don’t know how old Maclean is!

Nick Powell is 29

34

Ashley Young 38 Everton😆

And they paid £250,000 for him. Christ!

Will also sit well with their plastic paddy fans in America.

 No doubt they'll have a whole episode of their show dedicated to how hard it is being an Irish footballer in England, of course ignoring the fact that every other Irish player doesn't have an issue because they're not IRA fan boys

Obviously looks after himself Dyche isn't no mug.

This. You need people like this around a club to set standards for the younger players.

Dyche paid £250,000 for James McLean? You’ve lost me!

Looks like Darnell Johnson is signing for FGR

I think the thread has crossed a couple of conversations, one about Ashley Young signing for Everton at age 38 hence the Dyche, and one about the £250k that Wrexham paid for a 34 yr old winger Mclean.

Players who are prepared to take a mouthful of bird shit for the cause!

Updated new signings table 5pm 5/8 in numerical order of the quantity of signings.

13 (3 loan) CRAWLEY TOWN
13 (2 loans) STOCKPORT COUNTY
12 (3 loans) MORECAMBE
11 (0 loans) BARROW
11 (1 loan) GRIMSBY TOWN
10 (2 loans)  WALSALL
10 (2 loans)  NEWPORT COUNTY
10 (1 loans) SUTTON UNITED
10 (4 loans) COLCHESTER UNITED
9 (2 loans) AFC WIMBLEDON
9 (2 loans)  DONCASTER ROVERS
9 (2 loan)  FOREST GREEN ROVERS
8 (0 loans) HARROGATE TOWN
8 (1 loans) SALFORD CITY
7 (1 loan)  TRANMERE ROVERS
7 (0 loans) Franchise
7 (4 loans) SWINDON TOWN
6 (1 loan)  BRADFORD CITY
6 (0 loans) GILLINGHAM
6 (1 loan) NOTTS COUNTY
6 (0 loans) MANSFIELD TOWN
5 (1 loan)  CREWE ALEXANDRA
4 (3 loans) ACCRINGTON STANLEY
2 (0 loans) WREXHAM

Swindon now lead the amount of loans table on 4 :) today equalled by our "should have been" opponents with the loan signing of Joe Taylor on loan from Luton.

Kadji gone to FGR

In post 1.

Yesterday's news😀

#haven'treadback

Schoolboy error🤣

Colchester today completed the signing of Luton forward Joe Taylor on loan for the season, technically he shouldnt be available for the rearranged game as he wasnt available for todays game.

is that scenario confirmed? im sure there has been past precedent that a postponed game means nothing for the rematch in terms of squad availability and new signings

I’ve never known that to be the case either! Would be a bizarre rule

Nope just my suggestion :)