CM: Michael O’Connor
I’m writing a lot about Mickey at the moment!
O’Connor came through Crewe Alexandra’s academy, turning professional in 2005 and making 89 first-team appearances before a productive loan at Sincil Bank in March 2009. Ironically, he was signed on loan to cover the departing Frecklington.
That summer, he moved to Scunthorpe United for a reported £250,000, spending three seasons and playing regularly in the Championship and League One. He joined Rotherham United in 2012 and helped the Millers to back-to-back promotions (League Two runners-up in 2012–13 and the 2014 League One play-off winners). A 2014 switch to Port Vale followed, where he was named Player of the Year in 2014–15 and contributed set-piece quality and leadership across two seasons.
After a spell with Notts County, O’Connor returned in June 2018. Still living near the city, it felt like a perfect fit, aside from an injury record that we needed to manage.
Nobody needed to worry. He made 67 appearances and scored four goals during the 2018–20 period, playing a key role as the Imps won the 2018–19 League Two title and then adjusted to League One the following season. He scored the first third-tier goal of the EFL era as we beat Accrington 2-0 on the opening day of the season, and was one of Cowley’s key generals.
Of course, that meant he was also pushed to one side as Michael Appleton built his squad, and before COVID struck, he was sent out on loan to Salford. He watched our final game before the 2020 lay-off against Burton from the stands, bringing to an end his Salford career on the sidelines
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