Image Credit [Vital Birmingham]
As news broke that Steve Seddon would be sent out on loan to a higher-league club, the hearts of Stevenage FC fans broke. The youngster, who made 25 appearances, scoring 3 goals, has undoubtedly been one of Stevenage’s season highlights thus far. His industrious displays on the left-hand-side
The loan market is debated, yet habitually used by clubs. Stevenage have made their fair share of loan signings in the Football League; 81 to be precise! From Deimantas Petravicius’ 45-minute cameo at York, to Steve Beleck via-Watford-via-Udinese, to Luke Freeman, and it is the former Arsenal youngster that I begin with.
Signed on a 2-month loan in November 2011, Stevenage secured him permanently in January 2012 in a major coup! The left-sided attacking player made 129 appearances, scoring 17 goals and his pace and creativity were a joy to watch. Memorable moments included his brace at Bradford, with Freeman dispatching the ball into the top corner after a vintage Westley free-kick to secure a 3-2 win! Freeman was sold to Bristol City for a six-figure fee and now at QPR, it is surely a matter of time before he gets his Premier League chance.
Next is Connor Ogilvie, who signed from Tottenham in August 2015, staying for the season and returning in 2016-17. The left-back helped the club avoid relegation in 2015-16 and push for the play-offs in 2016-17, making 42 appearances overall. Ogilvie was perhaps the first left-back to adequately fill the void left by Scott Laird and is currently on his second season-loan at Gillingham.
Third is Luke Amos, signed in January 2018, also from Tottenham. The midfielder was a bright spark during a miserable season, making 16 appearances and scoring 2 goals, including a Goal of the Season contender against Yeovil. The talented midfielder has since made his first team debut for Spurs, but unfortunately ruptured his ACL soon after.
Freeman, Ogilvie and Amos all contributed greatly at Stevenage and, with Seddon, show the rewards of the loan market, yet through the amount of loans that Stevenage have had, it is no surprise why Dino Maamria isn’t the biggest fan!