The past two weeks has seen heartbreak and jubilation for several EFL sides, as the playoffs proved who was worth their mettle and who would be spending more time in each respective league.
It was also an opportunity for each club’s loan heroes to prove themselves on one of the biggest platforms in English football and become the hero their club deserved.
Over the years we’ve seen various loan stars shining in the playoffs and playing instrumental roles in seeing their sides promoted.
Here are your 2022/23 EFL League Two loan stars from each club:
Carlisle United – Alfie McCalmont
McCalmont featured prominently over the two legs of Carlisle’s playoff campaign in his traditional AM position and played consistently over the two legs. Whilst not registering any goal involvements, the Leeds United loanee registered 61 minutes in Sunday’s penalty shootout over Stockport County, as the Brunton Park side secured promotion to football’s third tier.
Stockport County – Aaron Rowe
One of the only loan players to receive minutes for County as Vitezslav Jaros (Liverpool) and Joe Grayson (Barrow) didn’t make it off the bench. The Huddersfield loanee came on in the 82nd minute of the 1-0 defeat to Salford in the first leg.
Salford City – Alex Cairns
Arguably one of the better goalkeepers in the fourth tier this season, Cairns proved difficult to beat over the two legs, his experience and resolve proving difficult for the Stockport attack to beat. Alas, defensive errors from Salford, who simply couldn’t cohesively clear their lines led to him losing out on a playoff final appearance with the Ammies. The Fleetwood keeper did save a penalty in the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to see his loan side join his parent club in the third tier.
Louie Barry (Aston Villa) also worth mentioning, being the only Salford player to score his penalty.
Bradford City – Scott Banks
Crystal Palace loanee Scott Banks has performed exceptionally for Bradford in League Two this campaign, so it’s no surprise to see him featuring here. He managed to notch an assist for himself as Bradford took an aggregate lead over Carlisle in the first leg at Valley Parade. It wasn’t to be for the Bantams this time however, as Mark Hughes’ side fell 3-1 to Carlisle in the second leg, ensuring another season in League Two. Banks did also however grab the assist for the lone Bradford goal, ensuring he would end as the loan player with the highest goal involvements in the League Two playoffs.
That was the League Two playoffs most talented loan players. Tune in tomorrow for the rundown on some of the best loan players to feature in the League One playoffs!
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