Loan signings used to be quite rare, now it seems like we sign dozens every season. We’ve had some shockers, and some that were brilliant, and a lot that did a solid job for a while.
Some of the best - Mart O Connor, Gary O Neil, Chris Baird and George Evans, Kevin Harper, Tom Bennett. Nick Henry and Rob Steiner did a great job in the run-in of 98-99.
Some of the worst - Michael Ngoo (he was funny though), Mads Timm, Tom Curtis, Samassi Abou and lots from the last few seasons but I can’t remember their names, in fact I’m not sure I ever learned most of them.
Some who did a solid job for a bit - Graham Moseley, Eric Young, Justin Skinner, Andy Reece, Tugboat Thogersen.
Oh Gawd, how did I forget him? That Eoghan O’Connell we had the same season (I think) was good though - although anybody would have looked good after a few months of Toner.
Several goodies as mentioned. George Evans and Gary O’Neil stand out on recent years, plus:
Andrew Surman
Flo Cuvelier
Matthew Pennington
Karl Darlow - although I wouldn’t have put him in the “likely to play in the top flight” category when he was with us. Nor Sam Johnstone tbh.
Kevin Harper
If someone has a definitive list of all our loanees over the last 30-40 years, that would be worth reviewing.
Chris Baird - came around the same time as Gary O’ Neill, and who could forget George Evans. I sincerely think we’d have been promoted that year if we’d have been able to keep him.
Mass Timm was absolutely crap. I remember when we got him from ManUre people were ■■■■■■■ themselves because he’d come from Old Trafford.
The clubs that loans come from are no guarantee of quality.
Surman was very good, and had a decent career as well. Cuvelier first spell was excellent.
John Ruddy was another young keeper we had on loan who has had a very good career.