As we head into the business end of the 2023/24 season, we take another look at how all the players currently out on loan from Edgeley Park have been getting on in recent weeks.
Check out the progress of our six loanees below:
Jid Okeke:
Emerging Talents star Jid Okeke made the move to Edgeley Park mid-season, having previously spent time in the academies of Oldham Athletic and Bundesliga 2 side St Pauli.
The 19-year-old, capable of playing at full-back and at wing-back down the right-hand-side, was named in County’s matchday squad for the first time in January, on the bench for our 3-1 win over Walsall at Edgeley Park, before heading out on loan to National League North side Chester on a six-week loan deal.
Jid impressed during his short spell at the Deva Stadium, making four starts for the club and being named Man of the Match twice in games against Bishop’s Stortford and Banbury United.
Chester were unbeaten in the four games that he started, winning two and drawing two whilst keeping two clean sheets, with the full-back carrying a constant attacking threat down the right-hand side.
Jid has since returned to County following the completion of his loan deal, ahead of completing a new loan deal elsewhere.
Cody Johnson:
Having formed part of the first-team squad at County for much of this season, appearing nine times across all competitions, midfielder Cody Johnson last week made the move to National League North side Scarborough Athletic.
After his initial loan spell at Rochdale in the National League was cut short last Summer due to injuries at Edgeley Park, the move represents an opportunity for Cody to gain regular first-team minutes, in a side Scarborough side still pushing for a play-off spot in the sixth tier.
The 19-year-old made his debut for the Seadogs on Saturday, starting their league game away at Buxton and coming up against a familiar face in the process, with double promotion winner Sam Minihan lining up for the hosts. Cody completed the 90 minutes in the midfield, with the game going on to finish 0-0.
Bobby Jones:
Goalkeeper Bobby is in his second season at Edgeley Park, having joined the club from AFC Fylde in September 2022. Although he is still waiting for his first-team debut, he has regularly appeared for the B-team.
He enjoyed a short-term loan spell at Brackley Town earlier this season, appearing three times in the National League North, before making the move to Marine AFC last month – linking up with former County manager, Neil Young.
Bobby joins a Marine side currently sat in 3rd in the Northern Premier League as they look to secure a play-off spot. The 22-year-old made his debut for the Mariners last week, keeping a clean sheet in their 4-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue, before starting again at the weekend in a 2-1 loss to Macclesfield Town.
Luke Partington:
Academy scholar Luke Partington has had a brilliant start to his loan spell at Atherton Collieries in the Northern Premier League, having made the move there at the end of January.
Full-back Luke has started every game since joining Atherton, winning Man of the Match on his debut for the club and continuing to put in impressive performances at right-back.
Despite joining a side that were struggling for form towards the bottom of the table, Luke has already been involved in some eye-catching results, most notably recently claiming a point against the runaway league leaders, Radcliffe. Another strong display from the 18-year-old helped Atherton go 2-0 up against the champions elect, only to be pegged back to 2-2 in the 100th minute.
Luke has also already made his first-team debut for County earlier this season, coming off the bench in our 3-1 win away at Salford City in the EFL Trophy.
Kingston Fligg:
Another Academy Scholar who made his first-team debut in that EFL Trophy win at Salford, and came close to scoring on the night, is midfielder Kingston Fligg.
Kingston has recently made the move to join Northern Premier League Division One West side Widnes FC on a youth-loan deal, joining a Whites side competing for the play-off places.
The youngster made his debut for Widnes after coming off the bench in the second half of their defeat at home to Witton Albion. His performance that afternoon saw him called in to start their next league game away at Chasetown, which finished 1-1. Widnes currently sit in 7th place, five points off a play-off place with a game in hand.
Taylor McMahon:
19-year-old defender Taylor McMahon was one of the club’s Emerging Talents signings over the summer, moving to Edgeley Park from Stoke City. The left-sided centre-half made his debut for the first-team in that EFL Trophy tie away at Salford City, playing the entire second half in our 3-1 win that night.
Taylor recently enjoyed a short-term loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic last month, starting twice for them in the Northern Premier League Division One West. In those two appearances, Taylor featured at left-back and as a left-sided centre-back.
The young defender has since returned to the club following the expiration of his loan deal.
