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Busy week in transfer market

2/ 4/2008

JIM Gannon wasn’t kidding when he told the Express last week that he anticipated a busy lead-up to last Thursday’s loan transfer window deadline.

In all five deals were done, with two players coming into County and three leaving Edgeley Park.

The most high-profile deal of course was that which saw the Hatters’ influential skipper Ashley Williams switch to Championship-bound Swansea on Thursday, initially on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

It was a deal that had been mooted by Williams himself last Wednesday, the day he made his full Welsh debut as John Toshack’s side secured a 2-0 friendly win in Luxembourg.

That was a proud moment for Williams, and County. The popular defender joined an elite group of Hatters players who have won full international honours while at Edgeley Park.

The other nine are Harry Hardy (England), Martin Nash (Canada), Paul Jones (Wales), Jarkko Wiss, Petri Helin and Shefki Kuqi (all Finland), Jim Goodwin and Nick Colgan (both Ireland) and Danny Griffin (Northern Ireland).

Speaking after Williams had made his move to South Wales, Gannon said: "I’ve had to think long and hard about this, but my overall feeling is towards the player.

"I’ve had good long conversations with Ashley about where he wants to go and how we can help him get there.

"I think he’s missed out on a few other opportunities but he’s more than ready now for the next level.

"We’re proud of what he’s done for this club and we’re delighted for him that an opportunity has arisen and that he’s been able to take it.

Williams was an unused substitute for Swansea in their 3-1 win at Hartlepool on Saturday.

Of the two players who came into County on loan last week, one was a familiar and hugely popular face in Stephen Gleeson.

Gleeson, like goalkeeper John Ruddy, had a successful loan spell at Edgeley Park last season, and is delighted to be back.

He feels County have what it takes to clinch the final automatic promotion place.

The Irishman has seen County at first hand during his recent loan spell at Hereford, ironically the club currently holding down the coveted third spot in League Two.

The Hatters recent display at Edgar Street has convinced the 19-year-old they can leapfrog his old club and go up with MK Dons and Peterborough.

Gleeson was on the bench at Chester on Saturday, as was striker Ryan Lowe, who joined County on loan on Thursday from Crewe.

The Liverpool-born striker, a player Jim Gannon has been tracking since he took over at Edgeley Park, has agreed a loan deal until the end of the season.

Lowe began his career at Burscough before joining Shrewsbury Town in July 2000. Two years later he moved onto Chester before signing for the Alex in 2006.

Last season saw him score 17 goals for the Gresty Road club, including a hat-trick against Carlisle United.

The 29-year-old has made a career total of 310 senior appearances, scoring 71 goals.

County’s final piece of deadline day activity saw talented young midfield pair Paul Turnbull and Greg Tansey join Altrincham on loan until the end of the season.

Turnbull has made great strides this season, making 22 appearances, before dropping out of the first-team picture after injuring his knee against Chesterfield in January.

Tansey has found opportunities harder to come by, making 16 appearances, the last when he came off the bench during the memorable 4-1 win at Rotherham United.