The experienced former EFL goalkeeper Scott Loach comes out of retirement this week with a surprising change of the 10th animal club Wakefield AFC.
The 36-year-old, who made over 500 appearances in his career, has campaigned for the decision to stop playing and follow the outfit of the Northern Counties East League Division one.
Loach, who in June 2024, after a 20-year career, which included stints with clubs, as many football League clubs, withdrew from professional football, announced his return to the game in early April 2025.
This step took place after Wakefield AFC had secured his services before the transmission period on March 31, 2025, to offer Owen Evan’s cover after a violation of her regular goalkeeper.
His new club is currently sitting the 2nd place in her division with 85 points from 39 games, 4 points behind and has a game in hand over the leaders Horbury Town.
| Loach ends up in Wakefield!
Wakefield managed to secure another signing shortly before the deadline on Monday, and Scott Loach entered the ranks.
After the violation of Owen Evans, the former professional goalkeeper will offer urgently needed cover – which we would like to want faster … pic.twitter.com/5inhzgpfp4
– Wakefield AFC (@wakefield_afc) April 2, 2025
A club declaration was published on social media, reading:
” | Loach ends up in Wakefield!
“Wakefield managed to secure another signing shortly before the deadline on Monday, and Scott Loach entered the ranks.
“After the injury to Owen Evans, the former professional goalkeeper will offer urgently needed cover for which we would like a quick recovery.
“Loach brings an abundance of experience to the club after a fantastic career in which he represented clubs such as Watford, Ipswich, Hartlepool, Barnet & Chesterfield and a number of appearances for England under the age of 21.
“Loach will argue directly for the game on Saturday in Athersley Rec.
“Welcome to Wakefield, @S1goalkeeping!”
Manager Stephen Bodle @Bodle1 tweeted: “Some big games on the horizon and Owen, who suffered a freak injury on Saturday, means that 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.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba4fpryabkm
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 – the child – 72 games
2021–2022 – Chesterfield – 48 games
2022-2024 – Derby County – 3 games
2025 – Wakefield AFC
Total – 455 games
International career
2009–2011 – England U21 – 14 games
2022 – England C – 1 games
Social media user reacted when the experienced former EFL goalkeeper comes out of retirement with a move to a 10th stage club …
@NXser10: Now in boys !! Quality stroke of this
@Lufc_81: Incredible how much you try to buy the league title It’s pretty embarrassing! It will be even more embarrassing if you don’t win the title
@Daniemminney: What a bloody signature
So boyle: Welcome to Wakey Scott For the first time we signed someone I used in former football managers.
Noel Thompson: Welcome to Wakefield Scott
Adam Pardoe: Imagine you get up after all of this when you throw around I think you will get the best team in the league into the league.
Simon Lindsay: Was prepared to be the next England. Number 1. Never happens
Steven Deakin: Welcome to Wakey Scott Good to have safe hands to help.
Andy Bill Carty: Signing some of the shit of the shape
Nathan Jervis: Good keeper, he is derby fan here
Gary Abrahams: Excellent signature Welcome to Wakey Scott
Gary Flockton: Played a game for Leeds UTD once as a processist in a friendly
Richard Linford: Welcome to Wakey
Gary Flockton: Is the Wakefields First England C International?
Julian Coman: Welcome to Wakey Scott.
Adrian Wilkinson: Very satisfied with it. Well done Wakefield.
Karl Linnecor: Fantastic to sign this
Then fear: You go Gaffer Scott Loach goalkeeper
Andy Brads: A good signing
