Loan-Ranger Loach Ready For Pools' BT Sport Examination

That’s not to say the Hartlepool United goalkeeper has taken a long time to settle.

Although his club have had a difficult couple of seasons, few fans point any fingers in the direction of their committed glovesman.

No, the reason it has taken a while for him to put down roots is because - surely - no footballer on the planet has had more loan spells in his career than the Pools number one.

So many in fact, that even he’s lost count.

The total so far stands at 14 in his 12-year career. We say so far as the 30-year-old said he wouldn’t hesitate signing on for a temporary move again if he needed to in the future.

“I think I’ve been out on loan nine, maybe ten times,” he said before we told him the actual total via his extensive Wikipedia list.

“It’s just something that has never really concerned me. I remember what Ady Boothroyd told me at Watford; just play football. Just learn the physical side and develop. The rest will come.

“I’ve entered a few dressing rooms in my time! But it’s true what they say - in football you always know someone. It’s never been hard to break the ice.

“I always enjoyed going out on loan, seen it as a positive and if it came to it further down the line I would do it again without a moment’s hesitation.”

Loach was talking to us in the build up to Saturday lunchtime’s live BT Sport home match with Harrogate Town.

But the keeper hopes it’s actually not a classic for the neutral to enjoy.

“I’m actually good pals with James (Belshaw) the Harrogate goalkeeper,” he says. “We’re Nottingham lads so we’ve always got on.

“We’re both hoping for 1-0 wins with this one. Few goals, but three points for one! The texting has already started and with a bit of luck you will only be seeing the ball hit the net once.”

Hartlepool are in a sticky situation, just one win in six and dumped out of the FA Trophy by National League North AFC Telford United.

New manager Richard Money has his work cut out for him.

“That was a big shame, the Trophy game,” Loach added. “It’s usually not the clubs at the top of the league who win it - and the manager did it with Cambridge a few years ago at Wembley.

“I think we need to start trying to enjoy matches more. Maybe some are feeling the pressure of playing for the name and we need to let go of that a little bit.

“There’s still a lot to play for and we’ve got to kick on. Tranmere (pictured) didn’t start getting things going until this time last year and we can go late too and who knows.

“Saturday’s got to be the start. There’s no better game to get our season up and running.”