Your essential digest from the podcast world as pre-season rumbles into life.
Summer's here, the boots are back on, and if this week's podcast circuit is anything to go by, League Two is in for an absolute rollercoaster of a season before a ball's even been kicked. Managerial merry-go-rounds, takeover turmoil, and transfer sagas galore. Let's get into it.
🪑 Managerial Merry-Go-Round
It's been carnage in the dugouts this off-season.
Walsall have finally ended their search, appointing former Huddersfield boss and ex-Man United goalkeeper Lee Grant on a three-year deal, succeeding Matt Sadler following Darren Byfield's ill-fated caretaker spell. The Yellow Ribbon Podcast reports Grant's press conference showed off his "political, PR-savvy" side reminiscent of his Old Trafford days, with a likely 4-2-3-1 setup on the cards. He's bringing former teammate Richard Keogh and Ryan Simmons into his backroom staff, while Richard O'Kelly stays on in an advisory "Yoda-like" role. One Pod Beyond had earlier dubbed the home defeat to Barnet "the death of Sadler Ball", a damning verdict on the tactics that got him sacked.
Shrewsbury Town are entering a bold new era too, appointing Matt Taylor as head coach, the club's first-ever use of that specific title, working under new director of football Mickey Moore. The Coracle notes the pressure is already on Taylor to build on last season's top-half League One finish.
Elsewhere, it's been an emotional week for the lower reaches. Accrington Stanley fans got the send-off they'd long been denied when John Coleman and Jimmy Bell returned for a reunion, shortly after Coleman's departure from Gillingham, where, incidentally, Steve Evans still believes his side "has the mentality" to win the playoffs if they get there (via The Gills Fancast).
Meanwhile at Rochdale, new CEO Laura Thomas (ex-British Cycling) has appointed Ian Watson as manager, with an eye-catching three-year mandate to get the Dale back into League One, praised by The RochdaleAFC.com Podcast for his man-management and youth focus after Jimmy McNulty's departure for a bigger club.
Spare a thought too for Crewe Alexandra, where popular boss Gary Taylor-Fletcher has departed after an emotional farewell (AFC Crewe: Full Steam Ahead), while their upcoming opponents Morecambe have pulled off what's being called a "surprising coup", luring experienced gaffer Derek Adams to the club despite sitting second-bottom of the table (The Crewe Alex Fancast).
And down at Bristol Rovers, GasCast have been dissecting one of the division's wildest sagas: Darrell Clarke's emotional second coming ended in disaster, sacked on December 13th after ten straight defeats, with Steve Evans parachuted in just three days later. Evans has since been upgraded from head coach to full manager, scrapping the director of football role entirely, and is credited with reconnecting a fractured fanbase after a miserable relegation campaign.
🔄 Transfer Talk
The recruitment merry-go-round is spinning fast across the division.
York City dropped four signings in a single day, headlined by the eye-catching arrival of League Two Team of the Season midfielder Arthur Reid on a free from Colchester, plus Arsenal academy product Zech Medley and promising Scottish centre-back Charlie MacArthur. It's not all incomings though; star man Fagan Walcott has departed for Hearts in a reported club-record deal close to £1 million, per Same Old City. Fortunately, homegrown hero Josh Stones has bucked the trend, signing a shock new five-year deal despite Championship interest.
Walsall's rebuild continues at pace under new head of football Stuart Mayers, with five signings already in (including Rico Brown re-signing after a brief contract standoff) and more expected before the window shuts, according to Yellow Ribbon Podcast. Free transfer striker Dallas arrives from Solihull Moors, alongside Sutton's creative No.10 Lewis Simper and Newport's midfield enforcer Sprangler.
Cheltenham Town have been busy too, with The Robins Report confirming the arrivals of experienced Irish defender Piers Sweeney (ex-Exeter, 370+ appearances) as a potential new captain, plus popular MK Dons left-back Joe Tomlinson and Barrow midfielder Charlie McCann. Gaps remain at goalkeeper, right-back, and up top.
Over at Bristol Rovers, GasCast report a major squad overhaul is underway, with 7-8 fringe players set to be released, with Tom Lockyer and Luke Thomas already gone as free agents. Luke Southwood has been named the squad's biggest disappointment and is transfer-listed, while top scorer Ellis Harrison has signed a new deal after actively pushing to stay. Isaac Hutchinson and Kavan both look set for the exit door.
Port Vale fans have plenty to be excited about with loan striker Ollie Lynch arriving from Luton (part of a swap deal involving Devante Cole) and the long-awaited, viral-video-worthy signing of winger O'Neill Hernandez finally confirmed (Ale and the Vale).
Elsewhere, Grimsby Town look set to be without long-time keeper Christy Pym's replacement after missing out on Jackson Smith to a bigger-spending rival, per DN35, while top scorer "KB" could be a £1-2m sale before deadline.