Deadline day deals in League Two

Transfer Deadline Day is broadcast all around the world. Clubs spend vast amounts of money on players in a desperate bid to alter their seasons. It’s the same story in League Two, bar the vast amounts of money, and here at The Sports Lowdown, our League Two writer Dale Ventham highlights some of the key movements in the fourth tier of English football.

 

Needless to say, Deadline Day isn’t as high profile in League Two as it is for the Premier League. That said, league leaders Northampton made a key deadline day acquisition in former Oxford United midfielder Danny Rose. The 27 year old, who made well over 100 appearances for the U’s over two spells, rejoins former manager Chris Wilder in the hope of gaining promotion to League One. Rose joins up with defender Luke Prosser who arrived at Sixfields a few days previous, and the former Southend man won promotion from League Two just last season.

2nd placed Plymouth had a quiet deadline day, but after Oxford United released Rose, they made two signings in Chris Maguire and Zeli Ismail. Maguire, who was released from Championship side Rotherham United, had spent six weeks on loan at the Kassam Stadium where he scored one goal in none appearances, whilst 22 year old Wolves Winger Ismail has had previous experience in the league with loan spells at Burton Albion and Notts County respectively.

Promotion chasing Bristol Rovers didn’t make any deadline day signings, but they have introduced New Zealand striker Rory Fallon to their squad. The 33 year old, who has played for Plymouth, Swindon and Swansea, hasn’t played a competitive game since 2014.

Portsmouth made a deadline day signing in Swindon Town forward Michael Smith. The 24 year old, who arrives at Fratton Park on a three month deal from Charlton Athletic, has scored 26 goals in 72 appearances since joining the Addicks in 2014.

Accrington welcomed back, for the third time, Benin midfielder Romuald Boco. The 30 year old has made over 140 appearances for Stanley, and joins up with fellow new signing Mark Hughes following the defenders release from Stevenage.

Mansfield Town made two acquisitions on deadline day in the shape of Swansea right back Daniel Alfei and Walsall midfielder James Baxendale. Former Portsmouth and Northampton loanee Alfei arrives at Field Mill on loan until the end of the season, whilst 23 year old Baxendale joins on an 18 month deal.

After last weekend’s defeat following four successive victories, AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has added Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos on loan until the end of the season. The 23 year old, who had made five loan appearances for Rotherham, is yet to make a Championship appearance for the Rams.

New Leyton Orient manager Kevin Nolan made two deadline day deals in the shape of former teammate Nicky Hunt and Jerome Binnon Williams from Mansfield and Crystal Palace respectively. 32 year old right back Hunt used to play with Nolan whilst at Premier League side Bolton Wanderers, whilst the 20 year old Palace defender arrives on loan. Nolan had previously acquired Peterborough defender Shaun Brisley until the end of the season, and striker Armand Gnanduillet.

Following last weekend’s win at Plymouth, in which manager Gareth Ainsworth was forced to play a 45 year old goalkeeper following the injury to Alex Lynch, the Chairboys have signed Bournemouth shot stopper Ryan Allsop until the end of the season. The 23 year old, who made 27 appearances for Coventry City last season in League One, has made one Premier League appearance for the Cherries in their 3-3 draw with Everton.

Exeter were the one club to have a deadline day to forget. After signing 24 year old Jake Taylor from Reading, the club announced the departure of top scorer Tom Nichols to Championship side Peterborough United on a four and a half year deal. Nichols, who made his first team debut having come up from the youth setup at St James Park, scored 34 goals in 113 appearances for the Grecians.

Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry made three signings in the past few days, one of which coming on deadline day. Apollon Limassol defender Shane O’Neill arrives at the Abbey Stadium on loan until the end of the season. The USA under 23 international has made 53 appearances for MLS side Colorado Rapids. Striker Jimmy Spencer has also arrived following his release from Derry’s former club, Notts County, and the 24 year old could fill the void left by fellow striker Barry Corr, who has suffered a season long injury.

After Notts County released Spencer, the Magpies made the acquisition of 30 year old defender Gary MacKenzie on a one month loan from Doncaster Rovers.

Luton made a decent signing in Charlton Athletic striker Joe Piggott. The 22 year old, who won promotion whilst on loan at Southend last season, arrives at Kenilworth Road until the end of the season.

Crawley have re-signed former goalkeeper Paul Jones on a one month loan from fellow League Two side Portsmouth. The 29 year old made 105 appearances from 2012 until his departure to Fratton Park in 2014.

Strugglers Hartlepool have snapped up midfielder Josh Laurent following his release from Brentford. The 20 year old, who had been on loan at Newport County, is also joined by Luke James who has signed for the club for a second spell until the end of the season. The 21 year old had scored 22 goals in 99 Pools appearances.

Fellow strugglers Dagenham have snapped up defender Dominic Hyam from Reading. Yet to make a senior appearance for the Royals, Hyam has been ever-present for the under 21 side.

Bottom club York City didn’t make any deadline day deals, but have welcomed 33 year old striker Derek Riordan and Newcastle United defender Lubo Satko. Riordan will be at Bootham Crescent until the end of the season, whilst the 20 year old defender joins on a one month loan.

Stevenage had a busy deadline day, for good and bad reasons. Having already signed goalkeeper Jamie Jones from Preston North End and turning Lee Cox’s loan deal from Plymouth permanent, Teddy Sheringham then added Oxford United striker Patrick Hoban to his squad. However, less than an hour later, it was announced that, following a run of eight games without a win and the club 19th in League Two, Sheringham was dismissed from his position as manager. Despite the negativity, Swansea striker Ryan Hughes, like Hoban, agreed a one month loan deal, before Forest Green striker Aaron O’Connor, who had scored 20 goals already in the National League, arrived at the Lamex on a permanent basis.