Up until the day of the deadline, Stockport County appeared to be experiencing a comparatively calm period.
They acquired Owen Moxon from Portsmouth on a permanent contract, Brad Hills from Norwich City, and Sam Cosgrove from Barnsley, both on loan, on the last day of the transfer window.
In less than a day, the Hatters bolstered their whole roster by signing an attacker, midfielder, and defense.
It sent a strong message to the other teams in the league that they have no plans to falter in the last months of the season.
Hills, who was on loan from the Canaries, was the first to arrive that day.
It was a crucial addition because Ethan Pye was the only natural center-back at the team after Fraser Horsfall’s injury and Dave Challinor’s recent preference for a back three.
Hills’ addition was much needed since, despite Callum Connolly filling the void quite flawlessly, it was obvious that one more injury could become a problem.
With 41 games for Accrington Stanley last season—impressive for a young loanee center-back—and three Championship outings for Norwich this season, the 20-year-old brings a wealth of League Two experience to the table.
He now appears prepared to make a name for himself at a level above Accrington with County and should be a strong addition to the squad.
The media team at County saved probably the most exciting announcement until last, signing Owen Moxon on a permanent three-and-a-half-year deal from Portsmouth. The midfielder generated much excitement at former club Carlisle United and it was Pompey who won the race for him 12 months prior. He played an important role in the latter part of the 2023/24 season at Portsmouth, with the South Coast club ultimately winning promotion from the third tier. He has found minutes harder to come by in the Championship, so it is the Hatters that benefit from his experience as he bids for more time on the pitch.
Between those two agreements was Cosgrove’s loan move. He has only scored one goal for the other third-tier team this season, but County supporters are well aware of forwards arriving in poor form because of Louie Barry, so he will be given a fair hearing at Edgeley Park.
Cosgrove’s contract with Barnsley expires this summer, so this loan move appears to be a cheap method to give the forward a longer trial period. If all goes according to plan, a contract will undoubtedly be given at the end of the season.
With the Hatters stepping into the third tier for the first time in a long time, against teams as strong as Huddersfield Town and perennial league neighbours Wrexham — not to mention former Premier League sides in Reading, Charlton Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic — it would have been fair to suggest that promotion wasn’t the main priority in Stockport. But now, into February, with the Hatters in a strong fourth place, missing out on a play-off place from here would feel somewhat like a disappointment. There are only nine points between them and Wycombe Wanderers, currently occupying the last automatic spot, with Wrexham wedged in between.
Birmingham City would have to make a terrible mistake to lose the race, but County is still very much in the running for second place.
Instead of fighting for their lives, the Hatters’ performance on deadline day demonstrated that they feel destined to be there and will do everything in their power to defeat their stablemates and advance to the Championship.
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