Danny Cowley (2016)

Division: Blue Square Premier

Estimated Budget: Mid Table

Ins: Sam Habergham, Alex Woodyard, Taylor Miles, Jonny Margetts, Nathan Arnold, Adam Marriott, Sean Raggett, Harry Anderson

Outs: Matt Sparrow, Tony Diagne, Aidan Grant, Liam Hearn, Nat Brown, Greg Tempest, Conner Robinson, Chris Bush, Jonny Margetts

Rating at the time: 10/10

Rating with hindsight: 10/10

It was confirmed that Danny was to operate with the same budget that Chris Moyses had, but over the course of the season, that changed. However, on May 25th, he was promised the same as the previous season, which he called ‘competitive’.

Let’s be honest, this was expected to be an excellent window when it closed, and it was. We signed two players who moved for six-figure sums, we signed a loan player who ended up experiencing two promotions and three trophies, we signed a player for free who we sold for a profit in the same window – it was crazy, really.

None of the outgoings felt hugely detrimental, and Danny merely added quality to the core Chris Moyses had put together to come up with a title-winning, record-breaking squad.

Biggest Hit

I had to toy with a few. I’d love to say Harry Anderson, because he’s one of my all-time favourites, but it was only the first loan, and probably should be ranked higher in another article. I’m going to say Sean Raggett, pipping Nathan Arnold, Alex Woodyard and Sam Habergham, but all were solid signings. I’ve gone for Sean because of the goals as well as his defensive capabilities, and the profit we turned when he moved to Norwich City.

Biggest Flop

In fairness, the word flop usually means a transfer miss, but I don’t think this summer had a player who underperformed. Taylor Miles was the only one who didn’t really feature, and that was because of his broken ankle, which effectively ended his Imps’ career before it had begun.

Totals for the first transfer season

• Keith Alexander — 2002 — Rating at the time: 1/10; Rating with hindsight: 9/10 (+8)
• John Schofield — 2006 — Rating at the time: 6/10; Rating with hindsight: 7/10 (+1)
• Peter Jackson — 2008 — Rating at the time: 8/10; Rating with hindsight: 3/10 (-5)
• Chris Sutton — 2010 — Rating at the time: 5/10; Rating with hindsight: 3/10 (-2)
• Steve Tilson — 2011 — Rating at the time: 10/10; Rating with hindsight: 2/10 (-8)
• David Holdsworth — 2012 — Rating at the time: 6/10; Rating with hindsight: 6/10 (0)
• Gary Simpson — 2013 — Rating at the time: 9/10; Rating with hindsight: 5/10 (-4)
• Chris Moyses — 2015 — Rating at the time: 7/10; Rating with hindsight: 10/10  (+3)
• Danny Cowley — 2016 — Rating at the time: 10/10; Rating with hindsight: 10/10 (0)

Later this week: Michael Appleton (2020), Mark Kennedy (2022) and Michael Skubala (2024)