Experienced former EFL keeper comes out of retirement with move to 10th tier club

Experienced former EFL keeper Scott Loach comes out of retirement with a surprise move to 10th tier club Wakefield AFC this week.

The 36 year old, who has made over 500 appearances in his career, has made a U-turn on the decision to stop playing, joining the Northern Counties East League Division One outfit.

Loach, who retired from professional football in June 2024 after a 20-year career that included stints with clubs like many Football League clubs, announced his return to the game in early April 2025.

This move came after Wakefield AFC secured his services ahead of the transfer deadline on March 31, 2025, to provide cover following an injury to their regular goalkeeper, Owen Evans.

His new club currently sit 2nd in their division, with 85 points from 39 games played, 4 points behind and have a game in hand over leaders Horbury Town.

✍️ | Loach Lands At Wakefield!

Wakefield managed to secure another signing just before the deadline on Monday, with Scott Loach joining the ranks.

The former professional goalkeeper will provide much needed cover, following the injury to Owen Evans – who we wish a speedy… pic.twitter.com/5inHZgpFP4

— Wakefield AFC (@Wakefield_AFC) April 2, 2025

A club statement was posted on social media, reading:

“✍️ | Loach Lands At Wakefield!

“Wakefield managed to secure another signing just before the deadline on Monday, with Scott Loach joining the ranks.

“The former professional goalkeeper will provide much needed cover, following the injury to Owen Evans – who we wish a speedy recovery to.

“Loach brings a wealth of experience to the club following a fantastic career which has seen him represent clubs such as Watford, Ipswich, Hartlepool, Barnet & Chesterfield, as well as having a number of appearances for England Under 21s.

“Loach will go straight into contention for Saturday’s game at Athersley Rec.

“Welcome to Wakefield, @S1goalkeeping!”

Manager Stephen Bodle @bodle1 tweeted: “Some big games on the horizon and seeing Owen suffering a freak injury on Saturday means we had to act.

“We lost Owen for the playoff final last season so we wanted to cover all eventualities.

“Scott is a great signing at such an important time for the club.”

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
1997–2000 – Ipswich Town
2002–2003 – Southwell United
2003–2004 – Lincoln City

Senior career
2004–2006 – Lincoln City
2004 → Bourne Town (loan)
2004 → Radcliffe Olympic (loan)
2005 → Boston Town (loan)
2005 → Spalding United (loan)
2005 → Lincoln United (loan)
2005 → Boston Town (loan)
2006 → Grantham Town (loan)
2006–2012 – Watford – 163 games
2007 → Stafford Rangers (loan) – 11 games
2007 → Morecambe (loan) – 3 games
2008 → Bradford City (loan) – 20 games
2012–2014 – Ipswich Town – 33 games
2014–2015 – Rotherham United – 4 games
2014 → Bury (loan) – 3 games
2015 → Peterborough United (loan) – 5 games
2015 → Yeovil Town (loan) – 6 games
2015–2017 – Notts County – 23 games
2017 → York City (loan) – 9 games
2017–2019 – Hartlepool United – 100 games
2019–2021 – Barnet – 72 games
2021–2022 – Chesterfield – 48 games
2022–2024 – Derby County – 3 games
2025 – Wakefield A.F.C.
Total – 455 games

International career
2009–2011 – England U21 – 14 games
2022 – England C – 1 games

Social media users gave their reaction as the experienced former EFL keeper comes out of retirement with a move to a 10th tier club…

@Nxser10: Well in boys!! Quality coup this 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@Lufc_81: Incredible how much you’re trying to buy the league title 🤣 it’s quite embarrassing! It’ll be even more embarrassing if you don’t win the title

@DanielMFinney: What a bloody signing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Si Boyle: Welcome to Wakey Scott 🤍💙❤️ First time we’ve signed someone I’ve used in previous Football Manager careers 🤣

Noel Thompson: Welcome to Wakefield Scott

Adam Pardoe: Imagine if you don’t go up after all the 💷 your throwing about 😂😂 I do think you will go up best team in the league however if you don’t it will be good to see how many players depart if you don’t.

Simon Lindsay: Was primed to be next England number 1. Never happened but hell of a signing for this club and league

Steven Deakin: Welcome to Wakey Scott good to have safe hands to help out.

Andy Bill Carty: Signing some after shit run of form

Nathan Jervis: Good keeper he is Derby fan here 👍

Gary Abrahams: Excellent signing welcome to wakey scott

Gary Flockton: Played a game for Leeds Utd once as a trialist in a friendly

Richard Linford: Welcome to wakey

Gary Flockton: Is this Wakefields first England C International?

Julian Coman: Welcome to Wakey Scott.

Adrian Wilkinson: Very happy with this. Well done Wakefield.

Karl Linnecor: Awesome signing that

Dan Fearn: You go gaffer Scott Loach Goalkeeping 🙌

Andy Brads: A good signing 👍