Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2024/25

[loz]

This is the longest we’ve spent in the basement - and it ain’t getting no better!

Must be worse for you lot. Let’s get out of this shit league and leave it to the tinpotters next season!

Problem is Dan that we have also become tin pot.

 

[Grimsby Road]

I agree and which is why I don't think it is a bad thing that Crawley are doing as they would have come straight down ala Carlisle if they'd have kept that same, average at best, squad and it surprises me teams are so desperate to pick them apart. This level is very poor tbh, poorer arguably than last time we were down here, it seems better because there are some big clubs that have fallen from grace, but they have the same issues as everyone else of having to bring in 4th tier crap. I thought Crewe at their place for instance were appalling, one game I know, but teams also are so inconsistent at this level.

Had this argument with one of my mates , they seem to be doing the sensible thing although football fans think sensible is the opposite to what they are doing lol

 

[valefan16]

It’s a tough league, Mansfield generally have spent well and took them years so it’s never a guarantee. Look at Salford too. In fairness after the last 18 months just to see us scoring goals and winning a few more games would be a start.

We’ve likely spent well over £500k plus this summer so far on fees which is the biggest in decades since our Championship days £200k on Hall, whatever for Stockley, 250k for Tolaj so pressure will be on to make it count but it’s never easy, some good clubs down here and it will be a battle.

Nice to have some proper bogs too!

 

[kieran_vale]

I agree and which is why I don't think it is a bad thing that Crawley are doing as they would have come straight down ala Carlisle if they'd have kept that same, average at best, squad and it surprises me teams are so desperate to pick them apart. This level is very poor tbh, poorer arguably than last time we were down here, it seems better because there are some big clubs that have fallen from grace, but they have the same issues as everyone else of having to bring in 4th tier crap. I thought Crewe at their place for instance were appalling, one game I know, but teams also are so inconsistent at this level.

Expect it will be the same next season. L2 always has the smallest gap between the top and bottom teams certainly compared to the league above for starters. Ultimately people can talk about the promotion prospects of any of the usual suspects but I’m 100% expecting a Harrogate or Bromley to come along and boil everybody’s piss and go up themselves while at least one of said favourites completely flops.

 

[Stocky]

Expect it will be the same next season. L2 always has the smallest gap between the top and bottom teams certainly compared to the league above for starters. Ultimately people can talk about the promotion prospects of any of the usual suspects but I’m 100% expecting a Harrogate or Bromley to come along and boil everybody’s piss and go up themselves while at least one of said favourites completely flops.

Harrogate were a good side last year, lost a couple of players but they're a decent outfit.

It's an extremely open field.

 

[Stocky]

I'll probably do my predictions the week before the season starts.

My predictions are basically treated like an exit poll at a General Election. I know the whole forum waits with bated breath. Always a big day on this forum.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

This is the longest we’ve spent in the basement - and it ain’t getting no better!

Must be worse for you lot. Let’s get out of this shit league and leave it to the tinpotters next season!

Nah you lot can stay down there a bit longer. Consider it punishment for extending Garners managerial/Head coach career

 

[Cloudy]

---

It’s a tough league, Mansfield generally have spent well and took them years so it’s never a guarantee. Look at Salford too. In fairness after the last 18 months just to see us scoring goals and winning a few more games would be a start.

We’ve likely spent well over £500k plus this summer so far on fees which is the biggest in decades since our Championship days £200k on Hall, whatever for Stockley, 250k for Tolaj so pressure will be on to make it count but it’s never easy, some good clubs down here and it will be a battle.

Nice to have some proper bogs too!

That’s a huge spend currently for tier 4. Usually the big spenders do end up in the top 7 but there seems to always be an Accrington, Crawley or Morecambe to go against the trend.
With the cash comes expectation, and if it doesn’t immediately transfer to wins, pressure mounts quickly.

We all know that money is the key although I am not entirely comfortable with ‘investment’ as far too often there are ulterior motives. Why would an American, Far/Middle East consortium for example want to invest in a League 2 football club. There is little hope of any return, only the need to put in more and more cash.

All the clubs need to work towards sustainability imho, but with salaries and backroom staff growing at a huge rate I hold out little hope of it happening

 

[Indian Dan]

Depends which club they buy. A ‘select’ few are massive underachievers with great potential.

 

[Son of Cod]

I'll probably do my predictions the week before the season starts.

My predictions are basically treated like an exit poll at a General Election. I know the whole forum waits with bated breath. Always a big day on this forum.

Yes agreed, nobody cares about them.

 

[Stocky]

Yes agreed, nobody cares about them.

You cared about them last season when I (correctly btw) predicted Grimsby Town to struggle, Codsy. As I recall it, you were far from happy. And I've still not had my apology.

 

[Cloudy]

Depends which club they buy. A ‘select’ few are massive underachievers with great potential.

Not sure many are. Step up a league and wages rocket further, crowds don’t go up much, a little more TV money but you are facing some much bigger clubs ( Birmingham etc). Go up again and most clubs have losses running into many millions each year! There is very little money to be made in football and one day soon the bubble will burst or at the very least, the balloon will deflate

 

[Stocky]

Not sure many are. Step up a league and wages rocket further, crowds don’t go up much, a little more TV money but you are facing some much bigger clubs ( Birmingham etc). Go up again and most clubs have losses running into many millions each year! There is very little money to be made in football and one day soon the bubble will burst or at the very least, the balloon will deflate

This.

Football as an industry is a drug addict trying to chase his next high. Nobody ever wins the football.

Man City will spend hundreds of millions of pounds again, desperate to win 5 in a row or whatever it is and with a unscratched itch of winning enough Champions Leagues. An itch they will never conquer as they see Real Madrid in the distance. The same Real Madrid that has just gone hell for leather for the new "best player in the world" Mbappe.

Luton will go into second tier and will most likely get itchy feet if they're not copping on much. They may think they were happy with their one year effort in the top flight but they have got the taste for it and will want it again.

 

[GTFCfish]

Cambridge have actually paid us money for Ryan Loft hahahahahahaha.

How he's got a League One club I'll never know.

Cheers lads.

I might send them Rekeil Pyke’s contact info.

 

[Son of Cod]

You cared about them last season when I (correctly btw) predicted Grimsby Town to struggle, Codsy. As I recall it, you were far from happy. And I've still not had my apology.

Simply not true at all. Here's the thread with your predictions on page 6 (six!!). You'll see mine on page 1 at the end of May correctly predicting the champions and everyone else copying as yet another Stockport spending spree unfolded. Can't see any complaints about your table from myself. Happy to apologise if evidence to the contrary is presented though, my friend.

The 1 to 24 League Two prediction comp 23/24

Crawley are probably going to be setting a low points record this season. I think Morecambe might try to fight them for that particular record

www.thefootballforum.net

 

[GTFCfish]

In fact, the last time you beat us, we got promoted to the Prem that season.

And since then it’s all been uphill as you’ve gone from strength to strength.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Cambridge have actually paid us money for Ryan Loft hahahahahahaha.

How he's got a League One club I'll never know.

Cheers lads.

Fair play I thought you were lumbered with him. Maybe Cambridge just really enjoyed L2 and want to get back playing there.

 

[DippyDon]

Sounds like Max Dean is gone, off to Gent for over 2m Euros

 

[WhiteRussian]

Sounds like Max Dean is gone, off to Gent for over 2m Euros

Fuck. Not surprised though.

 

[ShrimpsMeltdown]

I know we don’t have many (if any) Morecambe fans on here, but what on earth is going on over there?

I believe they have just five players on their books at present. Talks of a takeover but current custodian is very hush-hush about the whole thing - gagging order?

Either way, it doesn’t bode well for them despite what miracles Derick Adams has managed to achieve with them in the past.

We're owned by a cowboy who wants to sell to another cowboy and for some reason, he won't entertain a decent bid from a legit EFL approved potential owner.

Sounds like we've finally had our embargo lifted today, so we may see some movement in terms of signings now. All aboard the Slew train.

 

[Carver]

Port Vale and MK Dons in particular are making a lot of eye catching signings (apart from MK signing Maguire lol) . In League one they just seem to be signing mediocre L2 players, somethings not right.

It's because L2 is a far stronger league this season as the likes of us and Port Vale are down here now and other clubs have stepped up like Donny, Bradford and MK Dons etc.

You got up at the right time because you'd struggle if you were still down here now, I'd really fancy us against you lot now especially after you stupidly released your best defender on a free who we then signed and also missed out on Armstrong to us who is a proper marquee signing.

Now you can't sign anyone because you wasted it on L1 players who were good 2 year ago to get you out of the national league, but they are getting on a bit now.

 

[lordofthepies]

I never thought I'd say this but can I hear more from Carver please?

 

[leedsvaliant]

Getting shot of loft is probably the best bit of transfer news we've had all summer. An absolute charlatan of a footballer who in my opinion would struggle in Sunday league. I've got a better touch than him and I'm nearly 41! Felt sorry for him in a way because it's not his fault that people chuck contracts at him but I genuinely thought non league at the absolute best....Cambridge are doomed if that's their level of signing.

 

[Casey]

He's a right full back who is highly rated and had interest from Championship and SPL clubs and we beat them all to his signature.

Is that the Archie Davies who used to play for Brighton and Crawley?

If you've fought of champ clubs he must of improved a bloody lot. Better in a wing back role as his defending was very poor. Just always up the other end of the pitch.

Casey

 

[Stocky]

Simply not true at all. Here's the thread with your predictions on page 6 (six!!). You'll see mine on page 1 at the end of May correctly predicting the champions and everyone else copying as yet another Stockport spending spree unfolded. Can't see any complaints about your table from myself. Happy to apologise if evidence to the contrary is presented though, my friend.

The 1 to 24 League Two prediction comp 23/24

Crawley are probably going to be setting a low points record this season. I think Morecambe might try to fight them for that particular record

www.thefootballforum.net

Is this an apology? Because I'm not seeing the word "sorry" in any of it.

 

[spireite]

I just really don't rate him and was surprised to see he got a L2 loan from Chesterfield. He's always looked a bang average NL level defender to me.

That said Williamson knows far more about football than me and Lindsay seemed to get decent performances out of him so who knows.

No, you're right, he isn't that good. In the right system though (ie, back 3/5) with enough protection he'll be a serviceable enough CB. Whether he's good enough for champions elect possibles MKDons is another matter. Pleased for the lad to get paid though, good professional

 

[EnglishRed]

No, you're right, he isn't that good. In the right system though (ie, back 3/5) with enough protection he'll be a serviceable enough CB. Whether he's good enough for champions elect possibles MKDons is another matter. Pleased for the lad to get paid though, good professional

If it allows them to stop picking 65 year old Dean Lewington it'll be a worthwhile signing.

 

[F!RTHY]

And since then it’s all been uphill as you’ve gone from strength to strength.

Of course, it was tongue in cheek. But we did have some success between 2012-2017. Barring a couple of years in the top flight, a European Tour and last years play-off failure, it’s mainly been 16 years of utter dross.

But I wouldn’t change it.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

 

[OneDecentLester]

2nd in from left, looks like Ben Knight who’s currently at Man City, not sure whether he’s in on trial or just training with a view to loan. Been on loan at Stockport last season, and Crewe the season before but from wiki limited game time for both?

Anyone know much about him as a player?

Little bit of research shows City signed him from Ipswich academy when he was 16 for £1m in 2018, which will be where the link has come from as we have Kieron Dyer on our coaching staff who would have been at Ipswich at the time.