Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2024/25

[JJ1990]

I'd take 13th-15th given how stacked the top end of the league is, BUT if(and it's a big if) we keep our main players fit, then the top half/top 10 should be within reach. Feeling much more optimistic about the season now, get Raglan in (if it is him we've been linked with) and that should wrap up our permanent business. Get a RB in on loan to compete with Cooney and a winger to give depth to Long and Tracey(is Olaigbe still in play?) and we'll be good to go.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I'd take 13th-15th given how stacked the top end of the league is, BUT if(and it's a big if) we keep our main players fit, then the top half/top 10 should be within reach. Feeling much more optimistic about the season now, get Raglan in (if it is him we've been linked with) and that should wrap up our permanent business. Get a RB in on loan to compete with Cooney and a winger to give depth to Long and Tracey(is Olaigbe still in play?) and we'll be good to go.

Two more are coming in permanently I'm told. One is likely to be Raglan but the second is going to be a proven LB I'm almost certain. Seems Bell doesn't trust Adebisi to be first choice anymore and it'd be a big risk expecting 40 plus games for an injury prone Charlie Finney out of position. I also feel this may scupper a move for Olaigbe too.

After those two, we'll be looking at 2 or 3 cheap loan punts unproven in mens first team football for depth. Some may be like Finnigan. Some may be like Leshabela. It's a crapshoot. But we'll be in a strong position to perform more positively this season.

 

[Chris FGR]

We've signed midfielder Callum Jones on loan from Hull. Had previous loan spells at Morecambe & Grimsby.

 

[Casey]

Jack Powell confirmed signing from Crawley on a 2 year deal with an option of a further year.

Seems another good signing on paper, Crawley player of the season, sounds like a good passer and abit of a creative spark were missing in the midfield.

Being reported as a free transfer from our side.

I know the drill is to now slag him of but he is a decent player. His short and long range passing is good for this level. Should score more goals though.

He was one of my pet peeves though. Watch when oppo players run past him. Instead of chasing back to the box he drifts out wide like it's nothing to do with him. Wound me up quite a few times.

Self appointed nickname. The Peckham Pirlo.

Casey

 

[Gunit]

Josh Coley the latest through the door for us. Undisclosed (is there ever anything else?) from Exeter. Appears it didn’t quite work out there, previously with Maidenhead, spell on loan at Harrogate.

 

[Moomin]

Josh Coley the latest through the door for us. Undisclosed (is there ever anything else?) from Exeter. Appears it didn’t quite work out there, previously with Maidenhead, spell on loan at Harrogate.

Hope he does well for you. Clearly he’s got ‘something’ but never really had many consistent spells in our team to see what he could do.

He’s quick and energetic and can play a few positions across the front line. Could be a shrewd signing.

But from our perspective, to get a fee, even if it’s only £20k or so makes good sense.

 

[Son of Cod]

We've signed midfielder Callum Jones on loan from Hull. Had previous loan spells at Morecambe & Grimsby.

He came, played a few times, got injured and left. Don't really remember him to be honest, apologies for the completely useless reply. We had a run of a few CMs coming and going around then which ultimately facilitated the purchase of Gav Holohan which definitely aided us going up but that string of loanees all merge into one...two of them were even both Joneses.

 

[Son of Cod]

On Crewe too, I was surprised how utterly pish they were against us three times last season. Probably just a freak run of bad performances as they obviously have some decent players and had a similar season in the league to us. Going under the radar a bit in this window, I'd agree they might be decent next season. Not sure where the goals are coming from yet but they're quite canny in the market usually so wouldn't surprise me if they unearth a few gems.

 

[JJ1990]

Two more are coming in permanently I'm told. One is likely to be Raglan but the second is going to be a proven LB I'm almost certain. Seems Bell doesn't trust Adebisi to be first choice anymore and it'd be a big risk expecting 40 plus games for an injury prone Charlie Finney out of position. I also feel this may scupper a move for Olaigbe too.

After those two, we'll be looking at 2 or 3 cheap loan punts unproven in mens first team football for depth. Some may be like Finnigan. Some may be like Leshabela. It's a crapshoot. But we'll be in a strong position to perform more positively this season.

Bell said just after the retained list came out, and I quote: "Left back for example, we've got numerous left backs coming to us, but we feel we are fine at left back".

So either something has dramatically changed in terms of his trust levels in Rio and Finney to hold the fort there this season or a really good option has become available that they want to move on. If it was a choice between a permanent LB and Olaigbe/another winger, I would choose the latter every day because our wing depth is still very thin, even if they feel like Tabiner or Holicek can play some games out there. I'd go for Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick, still got something to give and I think he'd link up well with our scouse contingent.

 

[JJ1990]

On Crewe too, I was surprised how utterly pish they were against us three times last season. Probably just a freak run of bad performances as they obviously have some decent players and had a similar season in the league to us. Going under the radar a bit in this window, I'd agree they might be decent next season. Not sure where the goals are coming from yet but they're quite canny in the market usually so wouldn't surprise me if they unearth a few gems.

It was bizarre, just rolled over 3 straight times and had our bellies tickled. Only other sides who took 6 points off us were Orient and Stevenage. There were some excuses for those defeats to Grimsby mind, 1st time was our reserves, 2nd time was after we'd have a slog of a game the Tuesday before against Stockport and 3rd time was final couple of weeks of the season when we were on the beach. But you deserved each win. That 3-0 home loss was particularly painful.

As for the goals, we're heavily relying on Chris Long(scored 10 in 29 games in L1 in 21-22) and Courtney Baker-Richardson(8 goals in 18 starts last season) to do the heavy lifting. Big if, but if they can stay fit, they could score 10-15 each. After that you're right, it's very much 'who knows'. Score by committee I'd imagine. It's my biggest concern outside of key players getting injured.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Bell said just after the retained list came out, and I quote: "Left back for example, we've got numerous left backs coming to us, but we feel we are fine at left back".

So either something has dramatically changed in terms of his trust levels in Rio and Finney to hold the fort there this season or a really good option has become available that they want to move on. If it was a choice between a permanent LB and Olaigbe/another winger, I would choose the latter every day because our wing depth is still very thin, even if they feel like Tabiner or Holicek can play some games out there. I'd go for Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick, still got something to give and I think he'd link up well with our scouse contingent.

A lot can change in a few weeks and it's a very sudden change of heart. Perhaps Adebisi's fitness has been well below the standard upon reporting back to preseason? He's a player whose had quite a few injury layoffs in the past and I personally think he's a major weak link in this side. He'll almost certainly be released next May as well. I dont mind Charlie Finney having a run at LB but we can't play Zac there again. He was terrible in that position last season. So I'd disagree with his earlier assessment but then again I'd take what managers say in such situations with a pinch of salt. If there's someone out there we can afford that will improve us then the club will absolutely pounce on the opportunity if they can do so.

I think we'll get a winger in regardless but seems Southampton want a considerable amount of Olaigbe's wages paid so its either a proven LB or the other in that regard. Adding pace into this side is a must.

Lloyd would be affordable and can also play centrally but he doesn't seem to stick around at a club for long. I wonder why that is?

 

[Son of Cod]

It was bizarre, just rolled over 3 straight times and had our bellies tickled. Only other sides who took 6 points off us were Orient and Stevenage. There were some excuses for those defeats to Grimsby mind, 1st time was our reserves, 2nd time was after we'd have a slog of a game the Tuesday before against Stockport and 3rd time was final couple of weeks of the season when we were on the beach. But you deserved each win. That 3-0 home loss was particularly painful.

As for the goals, we're heavily relying on Chris Long(scored 10 in 29 games in L1 in 21-22) and Courtney Baker-Richardson(8 goals in 18 starts last season) to do the heavy lifting. Big if, but if they can stay fit, they could score 10-15 each. After that you're right, it's very much 'who knows'. Score by committee I'd imagine. It's my biggest concern outside of key players getting injured.

Ahhh yes of course, I keep forgetting CBR is still with you. You'd even previously told me that. Definitely decent options with him and Long if you can get them both firing. Think you're definitely a great shout for a darkhorse. Culturally as a club you've got recent pedigree of doing well at this level as well.

And yeah that first match with you in the League Cup (?), we played a fairly strong side to be fair. There seems to be an inordinate amount of easy wins/hammerings dished out one way or the other when Crewe and Grimsby face each other.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

On Crewe too, I was surprised how utterly pish they were against us three times last season. Probably just a freak run of bad performances as they obviously have some decent players and had a similar season in the league to us. Going under the radar a bit in this window, I'd agree they might be decent next season. Not sure where the goals are coming from yet but they're quite canny in the market usually so wouldn't surprise me if they unearth a few gems.

The League Cup game we experimented with mass changes and it backfired. Wasn't too arsed about it in all honesty.

The league game at Gresty Road was a disgrace. Grimsby were one of a handful of clubs we've never lost to at home in the 20 odd years I've been going and we've been your bogey side for years. An absolute disgrace that we signed an England youth keeper on loan and yet chose to start a terrible keeper who should've been released by us years ago over him. His errors in that game led to us being well beaten, though the lad up top for you lot was excellent that day.

Cant even recall the third game. We were so on the beach I think I went a non league game that night so have no recollection of our loss in the league at BP. All I know is that the game was postponed three times!

 

[saddler78]

Hearing rumours Joss Liability is joining Swindon.Good luck with that the blokes a complete idiot.

 

[Meadow]

Joe Lewis on loan from Stockport.

 

[Stocky]

Joe Lewis on loan from Stockport.

Just always looked to have a mistake in him to me, didn't look at the rest of our teams level in truth. But he's quite young for a centre half which is probably why we've extended his contract a year in case he smashes it with you. Hopefully he can develop well.

 

[Crewelad87]

I'd take 13th-15th given how stacked the top end of the league is, BUT if(and it's a big if) we keep our main players fit, then the top half/top 10 should be within reach. Feeling much more optimistic about the season now, get Raglan in (if it is him we've been linked with) and that should wrap up our permanent business. Get a RB in on loan to compete with Cooney and a winger to give depth to Long and Tracey(is Olaigbe still in play?) and we'll be good to go.

Keeping CBR and Long fit is a must, if they play less than 3/4 of the games we're comfortably bottom half, if they do stay fit I'd back us to finish top half, got a feeling its going to be a stronger league this year though. Only really Orient looked to have great quality last year, the rest was a case of who was slightly less rubbish than the rest.

 

[White Army]

Goalkeeper Luke McGee signs for us. Any good Forest Green fans?

 

[Son of Cod]

The League Cup game we experimented with mass changes and it backfired. Wasn't too arsed about it in all honesty.

The league game at Gresty Road was a disgrace. Grimsby were one of a handful of clubs we've never lost to at home in the 20 odd years I've been going and we've been your bogey side for years. An absolute disgrace that we signed an England youth keeper on loan and yet chose to start a terrible keeper who should've been released by us years ago over him. His errors in that game led to us being well beaten, though the lad up top for you lot was excellent that day.

Cant even recall the third game. We were so on the beach I think I went a non league game that night so have no recollection of our loss in the league at BP. All I know is that the game was postponed three times!

Yep you were very pedestrian in that third match. We seemed to respond fairly well to our season being over in general. In theory, after the cup run ended, our season was done. Players responded well when we should have been on the beach, only a couple of performances did we really look like that. Perhaps they were buoyed by getting our highest finish in ages or just by trying to get to the top half but I was happy with the way they got us up from 16th/17th to 11th in those last few months. Might not seem a lot from the outside but was definitely appreciated by the Town fans.

Was absolutely ridiculous... probably not that much of an overstatement to say a disgrace actually....that the BP match was called off for our EFL Trophy match with Man City U23s, considering where it ended up being on the fixture list as it was totally devalued and a complete dead rubber.

 

[gary]

Just always looked to have a mistake in him to me, didn't look at the rest of our teams level in truth. But he's quite young for a centre half which is probably why we've extended his contract a year in case he smashes it with you. Hopefully he can develop well.

I can't say I'm impressed with loaning a player from a club in the same division.

 

[Ellis]

A Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis centre back pairing is staring relegation in the face.

Must have naughty pictures of Challinor to get a two year extension as well.

 

[Stocky]

I can't say I'm impressed with loaning a player from a club in the same division.

It worked OK for Carlisle and Ben Barclay last season, gary.

 

[Stocky]

A Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis centre back pairing is staring relegation in the face.

Must have naughty pictures of Challinor to get a two year extension as well.

It's a one year extension meaning he has two more years left. And I'm pretty sure it's so that if he does well, we'll probably get a fee of some kind if someone wants him next summer. It's been quite widely acknowledged that he's quite highly rated at the club with current coaching staff.

I don't think it's a relegation pairing, definitley bottom half though.

 

[クレイグ]

How many cb's do you guys have now? Wonder if the Platt rumour is true after all.

 

[Stocky]

How many cb's do you guys have now? Wonder if the Platt rumour is true after all.

When that rumour came out I thought that if Lewis moved on it could be true so here we are. We probably are one CB short now.

 

[Ellis]

It's a one year extension meaning he has two more years left. And I'm pretty sure it's so that if he does well, we'll probably get a fee of some kind if someone wants him next summer. It's been quite widely acknowledged that he's quite highly rated at the club with current coaching staff.

I don't think it's a relegation pairing, definitley bottom half though.

Maybe not relegation, but those two playing together I think will bring out the worst in each other.

So I've heard about him being highly rated, and clearly is if we've granted a one year extension but the actions of our coaching team don't really suggest it which is why I'm scratching my head a little. When Horsfall was out we brought in Tranmere's last choice centre back rather than trust him for 4-6 weeks and he's been hooked off at half time on more than one occasion.

Had a great game against Orient, but I think they must have had a 4 pints and a spoons breakfast before the match the way they played.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Any good Grimsby fans ?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1674845256976564237

 

[Ellis]

Speaking of weird messageboards, and we're definitely near the top of the list, I can't work out the Wimbledon one at all!

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

A Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis centre back pairing is staring relegation in the face.

Must have naughty pictures of Challinor to get a two year extension as well.

It’s only a one year extension.

 

[womble76]

A Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis centre back pairing is staring relegation in the face.

Must have naughty pictures of Challinor to get a two year extension as well.

I doubt they will be first choice. Lewis will be back up squad player imo