Scott Loach Explained

Scott Loach
Fullname:Scott James Loach[1]
Birth Date:27 May 1988[2]
Birth Place:Nottingham, England
Height:[3]
Position:Goalkeeper
Youthyears1:1997–2000
Youthclubs1:Ipswich Town
Youthyears2:2002–2003
Youthclubs2:Southwell United
Youthyears3:2003–2004
Youthclubs3:Lincoln City
Years1:2004–2006
Clubs1:Lincoln City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2004
Clubs2:Bourne Town (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2004
Clubs3:Radcliffe Olympic (loan)
Years4:2005
Clubs4:Boston Town (loan)
Years5:2005
Clubs5:Spalding United (loan)
Years6:2005
Clubs6:Lincoln United (loan)
Caps6:1
Goals6:0
Years7:2005
Clubs7:Boston Town (loan)
Years8:2006
Clubs8:Grantham Town (loan)
Caps8:1
Goals8:0
Years9:2006–2012
Clubs9:Watford
Caps9:154
Goals9:0
Years10:2007
Clubs10:Stafford Rangers (loan)
Caps10:11
Goals10:0
Years11:2007
Clubs11:Morecambe (loan)
Caps11:2
Goals11:0
Years12:2008
Clubs12:Bradford City (loan)
Caps12:20
Goals12:0
Years13:2012–2014
Clubs13:Ipswich Town
Caps13:28
Goals13:0
Years14:2014–2015
Clubs14:Rotherham United
Caps14:2
Goals14:0
Years15:2014
Clubs15:Bury (loan)
Caps15:2
Goals15:0
Years16:2015
Clubs16:Peterborough United (loan)
Caps16:5
Goals16:0
Years17:2015
Clubs17:Yeovil Town (loan)
Caps17:6
Goals17:0
Years18:2015–2017
Clubs18:Notts County
Caps18:17
Goals18:0
Years19:2017
Clubs19:York City (loan)
Caps19:9
Goals19:0
Years20:2017–2019
Clubs20:Hartlepool United
Caps20:92
Goals20:0
Years21:2019–2021
Clubs21:Barnet
Caps21:59
Goals21:0
Years22:2021–2022
Clubs22:Chesterfield
Caps22:44
Goals22:0
Years23:2022–2024
Clubs23:Derby County
Caps23:0
Goals23:0
Totalcaps:455
Totalgoals:0
Nationalyears1:2009–2011
Nationalteam1:England U21
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2022
Nationalteam2:England C
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0

Scott James Loach (born 27 May 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Loach played for Ipswich Town, Watford and Hartlepool United. He had also spent loan spells with non-League Stafford Rangers and York City, and Football League clubs Morecambe, Bradford City, Bury, Peterborough United, Yeovil Town and Notts County. He dropped into non-league with Barnet and Chesterfield before returning to league football with Derby County. He played for England at under-21 level and in August 2010 was called up to the senior squad for the first time.

Early and personal life

Loach was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire[4] and grew up in Halstead, Essex.[5]

Club career

Early career

Loach was a member of the academy at Ipswich Town from 1997 to 2000.[5] Loach moved to Southwell, Nottinghamshire, attending Southwell Minster School and playing for local club Southwell United from 2002 to 2003.[5] Loach joined Lincoln City's Centre of Excellence in April 2003, before signing a three-year scholarship in summer 2004.[5]

In August 2004, he joined Bourne Town on loan,[6] making two appearances. In October 2004, he played on loan for Radcliffe Olympic.[7] He joined Boston Town in January 2005 on loan,[8] which was extended until the end of the 2004–05 season,[9] making 18 appearances.[10] In August 2005, Loach was loaned to Spalding United.[11] In November 2005, he had a one-match spell with Lincoln United.[12] He returned to Boston Town later that month,[13] before a period at Grantham Town in March 2006.[14]

Watford

Despite not being offered professional terms at Lincoln City, Loach joined Watford in April 2006. He signed professional terms for Watford in June, with Lincoln City receiving a transfer fee of £50,000.[15] In pre-season 2007 he was on trial at Leeds United with a view to a loan move. Although he played in several pre-season friendlies, the move did not come to fruition due to a transfer embargo as a result of Leeds entering administration.[16]

In September 2007, Loach joined Conference Premier club Stafford Rangers on an initial one-month loan. It was later extended to three months, and Loach made 11 appearances for Stafford.[17] He joined Morecambe on loan in January 2008, making his debut on 1 January in a 2–1 defeat to Stockport County.[18] He made only one more league appearance for Morecambe, during which he saved a penalty from Macclesfield Town's Martin Gritton, before he returning to Watford after just two weeks.[17] [19] At the end of the month he joined Bradford City, another League Two club, on loan until the end of 2007–08 as replacement for Donovan Ricketts, who was expected to move to Queens Park Rangers until he was refused a work permit.[20] [21] Loach made his debut a day after joining Bradford, conceding twice in their 4–2 victory over Shrewsbury Town.[22] He followed it up five days later with a clean sheet against Macclesfield Town after he saved a second penalty at Moss Rose in as many months.[23] Loach played the remainder of the season with Bradford, making 20 appearances for the club, who finished in 10th place in League Two.[24]

Loach returned to Watford and made his debut in the 1–0 League Cup win over Bristol Rovers.[25] He made his league debut as a substitute on 20 September 2008 when he came on to replace Mart Poom in the fourth minute of a match against Reading. Loach conceded his first Watford goal when the referee and linesman gave a goal instead of a corner, an incident described as a ghost goal.[26] The match finished in a 2–2 draw.[27] [28] Loach remained a regular in the Watford team for the rest of 2008–09, under the management of Aidy Boothroyd, Malky Mackay and later Brendan Rodgers.[24]

In August 2009, FourFourTwo magazine said Loach was the 'Key Player' in Watford's season and that fans should expect a good season from the young goalkeeper. Newspaper reports linked Loach to Tottenham Hotspur as backup to Heurelho Gomes, however as Carlo Cudicini's alleged move to Portsmouth did not go through, no deal was ever made. Loach made a good start to 2009–10 including a match winning performance against Plymouth where Watford won 1–0.[29] Loach featured in all 46 Watford league matches that season, and on 5 March 2010 extended his contract with Watford until 2013.[24] [30]

Loach retained his place in the team for 2010–11, and once again played all 46 league fixtures. However, he subsequently admitted that his form had dipped towards the end of that season.[31] After 130 consecutive league appearances, Loach missed a Championship match for the first time since 2008 on 27 September 2011. He regained the place from Rene Gilmartin a few weeks later. Loach remained in the team until 18 February 2012,[32] [33] when he was replaced by loan player Tomasz Kuszczak.[34] Loach returned to the Watford team on their final day of 2011–12, in their 2–1 win against Middlesbrough.[34] [35]

Ipswich Town

Loach completed what he called his "dream move" by returning to his boyhood club for an undisclosed fee on 19 July 2012.[36] [37] He made his debut on 14 August in a 3–1 win against Bristol Rovers in the League Cup. He kept his first clean sheet in a 1–0 win against former club Watford on 21 August.

Ipswich released Loach following 2013–14 where he had been replaced in the first team by Dean Gerken, having made only 33 appearances for Ipswich.[38]

Rotherham United

Loach signed for newly promoted Championship club Rotherham United on 5 June 2014.[39] On 10 November 2014, after only having made four appearances for Rotherham, Loach was loaned out to League One club Bury until 17 January 2015.[40]

On 2 March 2015, following an injury to Artur Krysiak, Loach joined League One club Yeovil Town on a one-month emergency loan.[41]

Notts County

On 15 July 2015, Loach signed for newly relegated League Two club Notts County on a two-year contract.[42]

On 23 March 2017, Loach joined National League club York City on loan until the end of 2016–17,[43] to replace the injured Kyle Letheren.[44] He made his debut two days later, starting in a 1–0 away defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge.[45] Loach remained in goal after Letheren returned to fitness,[46] making nine appearances. His final appearance came in a 2–2 home draw with Forest Green Rovers on 29 April 2017, which saw York relegated to the National League North with a 21st-place finish in the National League.[47] He returned to Notts County after this match, as he was not eligible to play for York in the 2017 FA Trophy Final.[48] He was subsequently released by Notts County,[49] and ruled out joining York permanently.[50]

Hartlepool United

On 9 June 2017, Loach signed for newly relegated National League club Hartlepool United.[51] At the end of the 2017–18 season, Loach won both Fans Player and Players' Player of the Year Awards.[52]

He also won the Players' Player of the Year Award in the 2018–19 season.[53] Loach played his 100th consecutive appearance in all competitions for Hartlepool during their 3–2 victory over Salford City in April 2019.[54]

At the end of the 2018–19 season, Loach left Hartlepool following the expiry of his contract.[55]

Barnet

Loach signed for National League club Barnet on 14 June 2019.[56] He played 72 times in two seasons before leaving the club at the end of the 2020-21 season.[57]

Chesterfield

On 11 June 2021, Loach joined fellow National League club Chesterfield.[58] He was the regular first choice keeper during his only season at the club making 48 appearances.

Derby County

On 13 July 2022, Loach joined League One club Derby County on a free transfer.[59] He was used as a back-up keeper as he made three appearances during the 2022–23 season, all in the EFL Trophy. He was offered a new contract in May 2023.[60] Loach signed a one-year contract extension on 21 June 2023.[61] Loach spent the 2023–24 season as third choice keeper and failed to make a first team appearance, he did feature as an unused substitute when second choice keeper Josh Vickers was unable to play.

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Loach would leave Derby at the end of his contract on 30 June 2024, after three appearances over two seasons.[62]

On 18 June 2024, Loach announced his retirement from professional football after a twenty-year career and over 500 appearances, Loach retired to concentrate on a coaching career.[63]

International career

In February 2009, Loach's good form at club level earned him his first England under-21 international call-up by manager Stuart Pearce for a friendly match against Ecuador's senior team in Malaga.[64] Loach made his international debut when he came on as a late replacement for Tom Heaton, as England lost 3–2.[65]

In May 2009, Loach was named in the England Under-21 squad for the Under-21 Championships that take place in Sweden in June 2009.[66] He only played in one match as Joe Hart was first choice. He started in goal for England in the 4–0 defeat to Germany in the final of the Under-21 Championships in place of the suspended Hart and was highly culpable for the second German goal.[67] With Hart and Joe Lewis ineligible for the under-21s, Loach began to play regularly thereafter.[68]

On 10 August 2010, after Ben Foster and Paul Robinson withdrew from the squad, Loach received his first call up to the full England squad for the friendly against Hungary.[69] The following month, after Scott Carson withdrew from the England squad due to a bereavement, he received a second call up to the full England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.[70]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lincoln City2004–05League Two0000000000
2005–06League Two0000000000
Total0000000000
Bourne Town (loan)2004–05[71] United Counties League
Premier Division
2020
Lincoln United (loan)2005–06[72] Northern Premier League
Premier Division
1010
Grantham Town (loan)2005–06Southern League
Premier Division
1010
Watford2006–07Premier League00000000
2007–08Championship0000000000
2008–09Championship3103040380
2009–10Championship4601000470
2010–11Championship4600000460
2011–12Championship3101000320
Total15405040001630
Stafford Rangers (loan)2007–08[73] Conference Premier110110
Morecambe (loan)2007–08League Two201030
Bradford City (loan)2007–08League Two200200
Ipswich Town2012–13Championship2201020250
2013–14Championship60200080
Total2803020330
Rotherham United2014–15Championship20002040
Bury (loan)2014–15League Two201030
Peterborough United (loan)2014–15League One5050
Yeovil Town (loan)2014–15League One6060
Notts County2015–16League Two140000020160
2016–17League Two3010003070
Total170100050230
York City (loan)2016–17National League9090
Hartlepool United2017–18National League4602010490
2018–19National League4603020510
Total9205000301000
Barnet2019–20National League3503070450
2020–21[74] National League2402010270
Total590500080720
Chesterfield2021–22National League4402020480
Derby County2022–23League One0000003030
2023–24League One0000000000
Total0000003030
Career total4550210802305070

Honours

England U21

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 12 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Scott Loach: Overview . ESPN . 11 April 2020.
  3. Web site: Scott Loach . Derby County F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816153113/https://www.dcfc.co.uk/teams/player/scott-loach . 16 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Scott Loach . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 19 March 2020.
  5. Web site: Five youngsters offered scholarships . Lincoln City F.C. . 17 November 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120223164518/http://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10440~498345%2C00.html . 23 February 2012 . dead.
  6. News: Appleby raids former club again . Non League Daily . Baltic Publications . 31 August 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120903075347/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=20145 . 3 September 2012 . dead.
  7. News: Gedling look to epps in town match . Nottingham Evening Post . 15 October 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090704091227/http://moreresults.factiva.com/results/index/index.aspx?ref=NOTTEP0020041016e0af0003a . 4 July 2009 . dead .
  8. Web site: 2004–2005 season: United Counties Football League . football.mitoo . 23 March 2017.
  9. Web site: Eagle Bitter United Counties League Newsletter No. 186 . St Neots Town F.C. . March 2005 . 3 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070221171503/http://stneotsfc.net/news/2005-03_Newsletter_March.pdf . 21 February 2007 . dead .
  10. News: Former Boston Town keeper called into England squad . Boston Standard . 11 August 2010 . 23 March 2017.
  11. Web site: Gingerbreads fail to defend Shield . Grantham Town F.C. . 6 August 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070322004314/http://www.thegingerbreads.co.uk/gtfcstats/matchdetails.php?id=2168 . 22 March 2007 . dead .
  12. Web site: Win against Bradford Park Avenue . Lincoln United F.C. . 19 November 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090704012014/http://www.lincolnunitedfc.co.uk/news/story.asp?aid=333 . 4 July 2009 . dead.
  13. News: Second-half collapse a familiar tale of woe . Boston Standard . 23 November 2005 . 23 March 2017.
  14. Web site: Grantham debut for Loach . Vital Lincoln City . 23 March 2017.
  15. News: Hornets keeper joins City . Simon . Parker . Telegraph & Argus . Bradford . 28 January 2008 . 30 January 2018.
  16. News: BBC Sport . Leeds face goalkeeping crisis . 26 July 2007 . 29 July 2007 . Chris . Bevan.
  17. News: Loach returns from loan . Kevin . Affleck . Watford Observer . 14 January 2008 . 30 January 2018.
  18. News: Morecambe secure Watford keeper . 2 January 2008 . 28 January 2008 . BBC Sport.
  19. News: Macclesfield 1–2 Morecambe . 5 January 2008 . 28 January 2008 . BBC Sport.
  20. News: Loach replaces QPR-bound Ricketts . 28 January 2008 . 28 January 2008 . BBC Sport.
  21. News: Ricketts returns to City . Mike . Crowther . Telegraph & Argus . Bradford . 30 January 2008 . 30 January 2018.
  22. News: Bradford 4–2 Shrewsbury . 29 January 2008 . 30 January 2008 . BBC Sport.
  23. News: Macclesfield 0–1 Bradford . 2 February 2008 . 2 February 2008 . BBC Sport.
  24. Web site: Scott Loach . 2 May 2012 . Soccerbase.
  25. Web site: Keeper Scott Loach feared England call was Watford axe . BBC Sport . 10 February 2011 . 11 August 2010.
  26. Leach, Conrad (24 September 2008). "Watford 1 West Ham United 0". The Independent. London. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  27. News: Watford 2–2 Reading . 20 September 2008 . 21 September 2008 . BBC Sport.
  28. News: Reading goal error to be examined . 21 September 2008 . 21 September 2008 . BBC Sport.
  29. News: Scott Loach the hero as Watford FC win 1–0 at Plymouth Argyle . Watford Observer . 10 February 2011 . 15 September 2009 . Frank . Smith.
  30. Web site: Spurs target signs new Watford deal . Ontheminute.com . 5 March 2010 . 5 March 2010.
  31. Smith, Frank (16 September 2011). "Watford goalkeeper keen to bounce back into Fabio Capello's England plans". Watford Observer. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  32. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15094204.stm "Watford's Scott Loach needed 'time out', says Sean Dyche"
  33. Smith, Frank (15 October 2011). "Watford limp to poor Palace defeat". Watford Observer. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  34. Smith, Frank (28 April 2012). "Good to send the fans home with a smile on their faces". Watford Observer. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  35. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17796043 "Watford 2–1 Middlesbrough"
  36. Web site: Loach joins Blues . Ipswich Town F.C. . 19 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120720191823/http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~2853641,00.html . 20 July 2012 . dead.
  37. Web site: Dream move for Scott . Ipswich Town F.C. . 19 July 2012.
  38. Web site: Loach joins Rotherham . TWTD . 5 June 2014 . 30 January 2018.
  39. News: Stuart . Watson . Scott Loach signs for Rotherham United after reaching an agreement to end his contract at Ipswich Town . East Anglian Daily Times . Ipswich . 5 June 2014 . 23 March 2017.
  40. News: Scott Loach: Bury sign Rotherham goalkeeper on loan . BBC Sport . 10 November 2014 . 23 March 2017.
  41. News: Scott Loach: Yeovil Town sign Rotherham goalkeeper on loan . BBC Sport . 2 March 2015 . 23 March 2017.
  42. News: Scott Loach: Notts County sign Rotherham United keeper . BBC Sport . 15 July 2015 . 23 March 2017.
  43. News: Ian . Appleyard . York City sign Notts County goalkeeper Scott Loach . The Press . York . 23 March 2017 . 23 March 2017.
  44. News: Dave . Flett . Former England under-21 international keeper Scott Loach will make his York City debut at Dagenham . The Press . York . 23 March 2017 . 4 May 2017.
  45. News: Dave . Flett . York City suffer first away defeat since December after late Frankie Raymond goal . The Press . York . 25 March 2017 . 4 May 2017.
  46. News: Dave . Flett . Scott Loach to keep York City gloves despite Kyle Letheren's return . The Press . York . 30 March 2017 . 4 May 2017.
  47. Web site: National League: 2016/17: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 20 May 2017.
  48. News: Dave . Flett . Unwanted York City loan quintet heading back for talks on future . The Press . York . 2 May 2017 . 4 May 2017.
  49. News: Leigh . Curtis . Scott Loach confirms Notts County departure . Nottingham Post . 12 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170515125253/http://www.nottinghampost.com/scott-loach-confirms-notts-county-departure/story-30328523-detail/story.html . 15 May 2017 . dead.
  50. News: Dave . Flett . Scott Loach ruling out York City return for next season, but believes goalkeeping position is in safe hands . The Press . York . 18 May 2017 . 20 May 2017.
  51. News: Ross . Gregory . Hartlepool sign ex-England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach as new No 10 . Hartlepool Mail . 9 June 2017 . 9 June 2017.
  52. Web site: Loach named as double Player of Year . Hartlepool United F.C. . 16 May 2018 . 16 May 2018.
  53. News: JAMES AND LOACH SCOOP TOP AWARDS FOR 2018/19 . Hartlepool United FC . 21 March 2021.
  54. Web site: James and Loach Scoop Top Awards for 2018/19 - News - Hartlepool United. dead. 29 May 2019. 29 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190529184920/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2019/april/270419-luke-james-and-scott-loach-win-hartlepool-united-player-of-the-year-awards-for-2018-19/.
  55. Web site: Scott Loach to Leave Hartlepool United - News - Hartlepool United. dead. 29 May 2019. 29 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190529184922/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2019/may/280519-scott-loach-to-leave-hartlepool-united-at-the-end-of-his-contract/.
  56. Web site: Scott Loach agrees to sign for the Bees . Barnet F.C. . 14 June 2019 . 14 June 2019.
  57. https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2021/june/retained-list-2122/ Club announces released/retained list following conclusion of season
  58. Web site: Kepper agrees to join Spireites. chesterfield-fc.co.uk. 11 June 2021.
  59. Web site: Experienced Loach arrives to Strength Goalkeeping Department. www.dcfc.co.uk. 13 July 2022. 13 July 2022.
  60. Web site: DERBY COUNTY RETAINED LIST: MAY 2023. dcfc.co.uk. 10 May 2023.
  61. Web site: Loach Commits to another year with Derby. dcfc.co.uk. 21 June 2023.
  62. News: Derby County Retained List: 2023/24 Season. Derby County. 18 May 2024. 18 May 2024.
  63. News: Former Watford, Ipswich Town, Rotherham United and Chesterfield goalkeeper announces retirement. Derbyshire Times. 19 June 2024. 19 June 2024.
  64. News: Scott Loach may make international debut next week . 3 February 2009 . 3 February 2009 . Watford Observer . Frank . Smith.
  65. News: Ecuador 3–2 England U21 . 10 February 2009 . 10 February 2009 . BBC Sport.
  66. Web site: Watford's Ex-Imp Named in Under-21 Squad . The Forgotten Imp . 28 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090615024523/http://www.theimp.lincolnfans.co.uk/news1877.shtml . 15 June 2009 . dead.
  67. Web site: Germany U21 4–0 England U21 . David . McIntyre . BBC Sport . 29 June 2009 . 10 February 2011.
  68. Web site: Scott Loach . The Football Association . 10 February 2011.
  69. News: Injured keeper Ben Foster withdraws from England squad . 10 August 2010 . 10 August 2010 . BBC Sport.
  70. Web site: Carson out of England Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria . BBC Sport . 2 September 2010 . 2 September 2010.
  71. News: Wakes will get it right . Stamford Mercury . 26 August 2004 . 23 March 2017.
    News: Wakes hoping for cup joy . Stamford Mercury . 2 September 2004 . 23 March 2017.
  72. Web site: Player details: Season 2005–2006: Scott Loach . SoccerFactsUK . 23 March 2017.
  73. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2009 . 2008 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-59-6 . 272–273.
  74. Web site: S. Loach: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 23 December 2020.
  75. Web site: Germany 4–0 England: Lineups . UEFA . 19 March 2020.
  76. News: JAMES AND LOACH SCOOP TOP AWARDS FOR 2018/19 . Hartlepool United FC . 21 March 2021.