Clubs across the National League usually rely heavily on loan players from higher up the footballing pyramid in a bid to give themselves the best chances of pushing for the top end of the table, but is this always a good idea? 

There is no doubt there is a variety of budgets within the National League and teams at the lower end of that scale will look to use the loan market to add quality and depth to their squad throughout the season.

During the current season, we have seen almost every club use a large variety of loan players, with goalkeepers being more common than ever before. 

With every loan there is always a risk that it may not work out or that it goes too well and the parent club will recall the player in this article, we will look at a few different clubs and the way they have used the loan system.

A highly successful loan for Wealdstone and Alex Reid.

Reid himself is very familiar with a loan spell away from his parent club with this current loan being his sixth different spell away from his parent club. 

Alex joined Wealdstone on loan from fellow National League side Oldham in October and had an instant impact scoring seven goals in his first nine league appearances and helping the club in their fight against the drop.

Due to his goalscoring form and Josh Stokes being recalled by Wigan (more on this later), Oldham decided to recall Reid and he was involved in three league games adding to his two earlier in the season.

However, with no goals within those games, Oldham decided to allow Reid to return to Wealdstone for the remainder of the season and he has added another nine league goals to make his current total 16.

With Wealdstone sitting just two points above the drop, They’ll be hoping for more goals from Reid in their final two games to secure their safety in the National League for another season.

Braintree Town- Frequent users of the loan market

A team that has used the loan market massively this season is National League new-boys Braintree Town.

The Iron were the last team to be confirmed in the division this year with their dramatic play-off win away at Worthing confirming their place in early May and allowing then-manager Angelo Harrop the chance to rebuild a side that would be competitive in the highest level of Non-League football.

A lot of new players were signed but with the budget being one of the smaller in the league, Harrop’s use of the loan market could make or break the season.

Harrop added a blend of youth and experience within his early loan signings, with NL experience in Matt Robinson, youth in goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge, and fan favourite Joe Grimwood returning from Barnet.

Harrop tried to add more young and upcoming players in Chrissie Ward, Paris Lock and Finlay Wilkinson, but all three struggled at the Iron and were ultimately sent back to their parent clubs without any real success, alongside Knightbridge, who struggled with the physicality of the National League.

Jermaine Francis was the next loan signing and he was the real star, enjoying a fruitful time at Braintree before being recalled by Barnet in the last few weeks.

A change of management for the Iron didn’t stop them from dipping into the loan market with two double signings. Aidan Francis Clarke and Jacob Pinnington joined from Luton on loan whilst Henry Gray and Emmanuel Okunowo arrived from Ipswich.

Alongside Francis and Robinson, this often meant Steve Pitts side had six loan players available and NL rules state no more than five loan players in your squad meaning one would have to miss out each week. This became less of a problem when Pitt signed Francis-Clarke and Pinnington on permanent deals.

With an extra loan spot available, Pitt worked quickly to sign Kyreece Lisbie from Colchester to join forces with twin brother Kyrell. This loan was fairly short-lived as Colchester called Lisbie back after seven games due to injuries in their squad.

When loans go too well…

Now some loans can be too good and players can be recalled by the parent club at the expense of the loan club and this has been the case on more than one occasion this season.

The biggest and most obvious case this season is the story of Josh Stones and Oldham Athletic.

Stones actually joined Oldham on loan last season but after injury cut that spell short, he was loaned back this campaign after very limited appearances for Wigan in League One.

He re-joined the club in October and was an instant success with four goals in six league appearances, he was becoming highly sought after. 

In January he returned to Wigan and to make things worse for Oldham fans, he was then sold to fellow National League side York City and would be playing for a direct competitor for the NL title and promotion to the EFL. 

Another case of this happening could cost another National League club a play off position.

With Southend United struggling for goals in the latter stages of the season, their fans must be missing Aribim Pepple.

The striker was on loan at the Shrimpers in the early stages of the season from Championship side Luton Town and became a favourite for the Roots Hall faithful and scored 10 goals in 20 league appearances.

In January he was recalled and sent out to Chesterfield where goals have come as easy for Pepple but with five in 14 league games, he’ll be hoping to stay in the EFL next season.

National League loans – Good or bad?

You will always get the occasional bad loan at the National League level but if you use local connections well, you can find some very good up-and-coming players and give them the exposure to very competitive football.

However, if it’s going too well, EFL clubs and other NL clubs are watching and will swoop in given half the chance.

Remember the old saying, never fall in love with a loan player.