# 2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's 97th season of football in the English Football League, and first season in League Two, following their relegation from League One. After a poor start to the season, manager Lee Sinnott was sacked in September and was replaced by Dean Glover. Despite a brief improvement, Vale then slipped back down the table to finish in eighteenth place. The team were also poor in the cup competitions, exiting the FA Cup in the second round and both the League Cup and the Football League Trophy in the first round. Marc Richards was the club's top scorer with eleven goals, and goalkeeper Joe Anyon was Player of the Year despite breaking his leg towards the end of the season.

## Overview
### League Two

The pre-season saw manager Lee Sinnott sign non-League midfielder Rob Taylor, former Hereford United defender John McCombe, and former Middlesbrough midfielder Steve Thompson. Both players cited Sinnott as their reason for joining the club. He also added experienced defender Sam Stockley (Wycombe Wanderers); midfielder Anthony Griffith (Doncaster Rovers); and attacking midfielder Louis Dodds (Leicester City) to the squad. Lee Collins also joined on an extended loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and would sign a permanent contract with the club in January. Stockley was appointed captain, and most of these players would become key for the club over the next few seasons. Just before the season's start, teenage Tom Taiwo also arrived on a month loan from Chelsea, as did Plymouth Argyle youngster Damien McCrory. The club was aiming for an immediate return to League One, and fans got behind the club with record high season ticket sales of over 6,000.
The season started well in August, but all four league games in September ended in defeat. However, Sinnott refused to compromise his managerial philosophy to pick up results. A 4–1 home defeat to Macclesfield Town on 20 September would prove to be Sinnott's last game in charge. Sinnott was sacked on 22 September, with the Valiants in 16th place, Dean Glover taking over as caretaker manager for the second time in twelve months. The players were against the decision to axe Sinnott. Sinnott would later take court action against the club for a breach of contract, and settle out of court. Glover was appointed as manager permanently on 6 October. A win at Shrewsbury Town instigated a run of four away wins out of five. However, Vale soon returned to their poor form and slid back down the table. At the end of October, former Vale star Dave Brammer joined on loan from Millwall, and would join permanently in the January transfer window. The next month Scott Brown also arrived on loan from Cheltenham Town, and would also join on a permanent transfer two months later. This is also what happened with defender Gareth Owen, who arrived after leaving Stockport County following a bust-up with Jim Gannon. Notts County player Neil MacKenzie also joined on loan, but would not enjoy his short stay in Stoke-on-Trent. Attempts to bring back Chris Birchall on loan failed. Leaving Burslem was Chris Slater, who returned to former club Chasetown. In December, Andy Porter left the club's backroom staff after seventeen years at the club, highlighting the unrest in the camp. Both Porter and Mark Grew had turned down offers to become Glover's assistant.
In January, striker Luke Rodgers was released from his contract after a bust-up with manager Dean Glover, and immediately signed with Yeovil Town. Shane Tudor retired due to injury on 21 January. As well as the permanent signings of a number of loan players, Glover also brought in Pakistan international Adnan Ahmed on loan from Tranmere Rovers. Glover stated the club's revised aim was a top-half finish. In February, Glover signed Carlisle United striker Kevin Gall on loan. He failed to score in seven games with the club, and returned to Carlisle after picking up a calf injury. In March, Kyle Perry was allowed to join local non-League side Northwich Victoria, after being told he had no future at Vale. In his place came loanee winger Paul Marshall from Manchester City. On 21 March, Vale recorded a surprise 1–0 win over Bradford City at Valley Parade with Howland the only scorer. On 28 March, Anyon broke his leg at Saltergate in a defeat to Chesterfield. With Vale going eight games without a win, Glover admitted he was 'a dead man walking', and implored the fan's not to boo his son. Fans protested against both the board and the manager. The final game was a 2–1 win over Barnet at the Underhill Stadium.
They finished in eighteenth place with 48 points, 21 points short of the play-offs, and eleven points clear of relegation. Only Accrington Stanley and Chester City scored fewer than Vale's tally of 44 goals. With fourteen defeats, only Macclesfield Town and Chester lost more games than Vale. Had Bournemouth and Luton Town not faced point deductions, then Vale would have finished in twentieth place. Marc Richards was the club's top scorer with eleven goals in all competitions, whilst Louis Dodds also contributed ten goals.
At the end of the season, most of the playing staff were retained. However, Scott Brown returned to Cheltenham Town, and Kyle Perry was released and signed with Mansfield Town, and Dave Brammer had to retire after Chairman Bill Bratt informed him via voicemail that he would not be offered a new contract. Youth team graduate Paul Dixon was not offered a new contract. Dean Glover, unpopular with the fans, was also informed that he would not be retained as manager for the following season, and left the club permanently after he rejected the opportunity to remain as a youth coach. A slow uptake of season ticket sales was one major factor in Glover's sacking. Following Glover's departure the club withdrew their contract offer to Paul Edwards, who went on to play for Barrow. However, Player of the Year Joe Anyon stayed at the club, despite claiming other clubs were interested in his signature.

### Finances

On the financial side, poor results encouraged Vale fans to organize protests against manager Glover and the board, including Chairman Bill Bratt. With talks of fresh investment from shirt sponsors Harlequin Property came rumours on the internet that the company were planning to demolish Vale Park and build a supermarket, paying off Bratt to ensure his compliance. Bratt passionately denied these accusations, seemingly angered by the suggestion and claimed that if he were to comply with the protesters demands and remove himself and the rest of the V-2001 directors from the Board, then the club would fold as banks and creditors would seek their money. He also reiterated his prior statements by stating that he would be prepared to leave his position if the right offer were to be made. The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan taken out from the local council in 2005. The club's shirt sponsorship came from Harlequin Property.

### Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Huddersfield Town with a 4–3 win at the Galpharm Stadium, Dodds hitting a brace. They then were knocked out by Macclesfield Town at the second-round stage with a 3–1 home defeat. This meant the Vale missed out on a lucrative home tie with Premier League side Everton. Keeper Anyon slammed his defenders for their part in the defeat.
In the League Cup, Vale were defeated 3–1 by Championship club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
In the Football League Trophy, Vale exited in the first round with a 1–0 defeat to Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

## League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 16 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 42 | 59 | −17 | 50 |
| 17 | Barnet | 46 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 56 | 74 | −18 | 48 |
| 18 | Port Vale | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 44 | 66 | −22 | 48 |
| 19 | Notts County | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 49 | 69 | −20 | 47 |
| 20 | Macclesfield Town | 46 | 13 | 8 | 25 | 45 | 77 | −32 | 47 |

## Results

Port Vale's score comes first

### Football League Two
#### Results by matchday

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A |
| Result | W | L | D | W | L | L | L | L | L | W | W | L | W | L | W | L | L | D | W | L | L | L | W | D | L | L | W | D | L | L | W | L | D | L | W | L | W | L | L | D | D | L | D | L | D | W |
| Position | 3 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |

#### Matches

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 9 August 2008 | Luton Town | A | 3–1 | 7,149 | Dodds, Taylor, Richards |
| 16 August 2008 | Accrington Stanley | H | 0–2 | 6,643 | |
| 23 August 2008 | Dagenham & Redbridge | A | 1–1 | 1,843 | Richards |
| 30 August 2008 | Bournemouth | H | 3–1 | 6,048 | Richards, Richman, McCombe |
| 6 September 2008 | Bradford City | H | 0–2 | 7,273 | |
| 13 September 2008 | Darlington | A | 1–2 | 3,040 | Rodgers |
| 20 September 2008 | Macclesfield Town | H | 1–4 | 6,645 | Dodds |
| 27 September 2008 | Gillingham | A | 0–1 | 4,986 | |
| 4 October 2008 | Notts County | H | 1–2 | 6,247 | Rodgers |
| 11 October 2008 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 2–1 | 7,162 | Dodds, Richards |
| 19 October 2008 | Chester City | A | 2–1 | 3,102 | Richards, Richman |
| 21 October 2008 | Exeter City | H | 1–3 | 5,493 | Rodgers |
| 25 October 2008 | Morecambe | H | 2–1 | 5,629 | Rodgers, Richards |
| 28 October 2008 | Aldershot Town | A | 0–1 | 3,039 | |
| 1 November 2008 | Lincoln City | A | 1–0 | 4,793 | Howland |
| 15 November 2008 | Brentford | H | 0–3 | 6,058 | |
| 22 November 2008 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 2–4 | 4,521 | Richards (pen), Brown |
| 25 November 2008 | Barnet | H | 0–0 | 4,617 | |
| 6 December 2008 | Grimsby Town | H | 2–1 | 5,058 | Richards, Richman |
| 13 December 2008 | Bury | A | 0–3 | 2,651 | |
| 20 December 2008 | Chesterfield | H | 0–1 | 5,011 | |
| 26 December 2008 | Rotherham United | A | 0–1 | 4,350 | |
| 28 December 2008 | Rochdale | H | 2–1 | 5,720 | Glover, Thompson |
| 17 January 2009 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 1–1 | 7,068 | Thompson |
| 20 January 2009 | Gillingham | H | 1–3 | 4,539 | Richards |
| 24 January 2009 | Notts County | A | 2–4 | 4,447 | Richman, Dodds |
| 27 January 2009 | Chester City | H | 3–0 | 4,448 | Glover, Taylor, Lawrie |
| 31 January 2009 | Morecambe | A | 1–1 | 1,823 | Richman |
| 14 February 2009 | Brentford | A | 0–2 | 4,702 | |
| 20 February 2009 | Lincoln City | H | 0–1 | 5,097 | |
| 25 February 2009 | Macclesfield Town | A | 2–0 | 2,267 | Ahmed, Dodds |
| 28 February 2009 | Luton Town | H | 1–3 | 5,689 | McCombe |
| 7 March 2009 | Bournemouth | A | 0–0 | 5,924 | |
| 10 March 2009 | Dagenham & Redbridge | H | 0–1 | 4,090 | |
| 14 March 2009 | Darlington | H | 3–1 | 4,860 | Dodds, Taylor, Richards |
| 17 March 2009 | Accrington Stanley | A | 0–2 | 1,144 | |
| 21 March 2009 | Bradford City | A | 1–0 | 12,436 | Howland |
| 28 March 2009 | Chesterfield | A | 1–2 | 3,511 | Marshall |
| 31 March 2009 | Exeter City | A | 0–1 | 4,235 | |
| 4 April 2009 | Bury | H | 1–1 | 5,763 | Lawrie |
| 7 April 2009 | Aldershot Town | H | 0–0 | 4,140 | |
| 11 April 2009 | Rochdale | A | 0–1 | 3,100 | |
| 13 April 2009 | Rotherham United | H | 0–0 | 4,814 | |
| 18 April 2009 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–3 | 6,511 | |
| 25 April 2009 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 1–1 | 6,047 | Collins |
| 2 May 2009 | Barnet | A | 2–1 | 2,305 | Dodds, Glover |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R1 | 8 November 2008 | Huddersfield Town | A | 4–3 | 6,942 | Dodds (2), Howland, Richards |
| R2 | 28 November 2008 | Macclesfield Town | H | 1–3 | 4,684 | Dodds |

### League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R1 | 13 August 2008 | Sheffield United | A | 1–3 | 7,694 | Rodgers |

### Football League Trophy

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R1 | 2 September 2008 | Stockport County | A | 0–1 | 2,290 | |

## Player statistics
### Appearances and goals

| Pos. | # | Name | League Two | League Two | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Football League Trophy | Total | Total |
| Pos. | # | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| GK | 1 | Joe Anyon | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| DF | 2 | Sam Stockley | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| MF | 3 | Rob Taylor | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 3 |
| MF | 4 | Anthony Griffith | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 0 |
| DF | 5 | John McCombe | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
| DF | 6 | Luke Prosser | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| FW | 7 | Anthony Malbon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | 8 | David Howland | 40 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 |
| FW | 9 | Marc Richards | 30 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 11 |
| MF | 10 | Paul Marshall | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| MF | 11 | Paul Edwards | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| GK | 12 | Chris Martin | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| MF | 14 | Louis Dodds | 44 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 10 |
| MF | 15 | Scott Brown | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
| FW | 16 | Kyle Perry | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| FW | 17 | Steve Thompson | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| FW | 18 | Danny Glover | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| MF | 19 | Simon Richman | 37 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 |
| MF | 20 | Ross Davidson | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| FW | 21 | James Lawrie | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| DF | 22 | Danny Edwards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | 23 | Luke Chapman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | 24 | Lee Collins | 39 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 1 |
| MF | 25 | Adnan Ahmed | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| MF | 26 | Dave Brammer | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| DF | 27 | Gareth Owen | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| MF | 29 | Paul Dixon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | 32 | Daniel Lloyd-Weston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players that left the club mid-season: |||||||||||||
| MF | 7 | Shane Tudor | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| FW | 7 | Kevin Gall | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| FW | 10 | Luke Rodgers | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 5 |
| DF | 15 | Chris Slater | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| MF | 25 | Tom Taiwo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | 25 | Damien McCrory | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| MF | 28 | Neil MacKenzie | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |

### Top scorers

| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | EFL League Two | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Total |
| 1 | FW | England | 9 | Marc Richards | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2 | MF | England | 14 | Louis Dodds | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | MF | England | 19 | Simon Richman | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| – | FW | England | 10 | Luke Rodgers | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | FW | England | 18 | Danny Glover | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| – | MF | England | 3 | Rob Taylor | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| – | MF | Northern Ireland | 8 | David Howland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | FW | Northern Ireland | 21 | James Lawrie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | England | 17 | Steve Thompson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | DF | England | 5 | John McCombe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | DF | England | 24 | Lee Collins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | Pakistan | 25 | Adnan Ahmed | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | 10 | Paul Marshall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | 15 | Scott Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| | | | | TOTALS | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 50 |

### Disciplinary record

| Number | Nation | Position | Name | League One | League One | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy | Total | Total |
| 2 | England | DF | Sam Stockley | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 24 | England | DF | Lee Collins | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 9 | England | FW | Marc Richards | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 18 | England | FW | Danny Glover | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | England | MF | Ross Davidson | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 16 | England | FW | Kyle Perry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | England | DF | Luke Prosser | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 8 | Northern Ireland | MF | David Howland | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | England | MF | Paul Edwards | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Montserrat | MF | Anthony Griffith | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | England | MF | Louis Dodds | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | England | DF | John McCombe | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 25 | Pakistan | MF | Adnan Ahmed | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 24 | England | DF | Danny Edwards | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | England | MF | Simon Richman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | England | MF | Rob Taylor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 | England | GK | Joe Anyon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | England | MF | Dave Brammer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | England | MF | Paul Marshall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | England | DF | Gareth Owen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | | | TOTALS | 64 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 6 |
Sourced from Soccerway.

## Transfers
### Transfers in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| April 2008 | MF | Anthony Griffith | Doncaster Rovers | Free transfer |
| April 2008 | MF | Rob Taylor | Nuneaton Borough | Free transfer |
| May 2008 | MF | David Howland | Birmingham City | Free transfer |
| May 2008 | DF | John McCombe | Hereford United | Free transfer |
| May 2008 | DF | Sam Stockley | Wycombe Wanderers | Free transfer |
| May 2008 | FW | Steve Thompson | Middlesbrough | Free transfer |
| August 2008 | FW | Louis Dodds | Leicester City | Free transfer |
| January 2009 | MF | Dave Brammer | Millwall | Free transfer |
| January 2009 | MF | Scott Brown | Cheltenham Town | Free transfer |
| January 2009 | DF | Lee Collins | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Free transfer |
| January 2009 | DF | Gareth Owen | Stockport County | Free transfer |

### Transfers out

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| November 2008 | DF | Kyle Perry | Chasetown | Released |
| January 2009 | MF | Shane Tudor | Retired | Retired |
| 1 June 2009 | MF | Dave Brammer | | Released |
| June 2009 | DF | Paul Edwards | Barrow | Released |
| June 2009 | FW | Kyle Perry | Mansfield Town | Free transfer |

### Loans in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Date to |
| 31 July 2008 | DF | Lee Collins | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 15 January 2009 |
| 29 August 2008 | MF | Tom Taiwo | Chelsea | 29 September 2008 |
| 8 October 2008 | DF | Damien McCrory | Plymouth Argyle | 29 December 2008 |
| 31 October 2008 | MF | Dave Brammer | Millwall | 1 January 2009 |
| 21 November 2008 | MF | Scott Brown | Cheltenham Town | 2 January 2009 |
| 25 November 2008 | DF | Gareth Owen | Stockport County | 18 January 2009 |
| 27 November 2008 | MF | Neil MacKenzie | Notts County | 27 December 2009 |
| 29 January 2009 | MF | Adnan Ahmed | Tranmere Rovers | End of season |
| 24 February 2009 | FW | Kevin Gall | Carlisle United | End of season |
| 6 March 2009 | MF | Paul Marshall | Manchester City | End of season |

### Loans out

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
| 6 March 2009 | FW | | Kyle Perry | Northwich Victoria | 6 April 2009 | |