Cass linking up with gaffer again
ON a quiet deadline day, League Two leaders Stockport County moved to bolster the ranks with the loan addition of Port Vale right-back Lewis Cass for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Right-back Cass links up with manager Dave Challinor for the second time, after the 23-year-old won promotion from the National League together during the pair’s time at Hartlepool United in 2021.
Cass began his career at Premier League side Newcastle United, before a first taste of first-team football via the geographically short trip to Hartlepool on a successful loan deal.
The defender would go on to make 37 appearances in all competitions that year, as the Monkey Hangers won promotion to the EFL via the play-offs at the expense of defeated County.
Cass then made the move to fellow League Two side Port Vale on loan for the 2021/22 campaign. Playing both on the right of a back three and at wing-back, he impressed with his performances during his time at Vale Park, playing 27 times in the first half of the season before his campaign was cruelly cut short by injury in January.
Vale would go on to secure promotion from League Two that year in the play-offs, before moving to sign Cass on a permanent basis that same summer.
“Lewis is someone I know well having worked within the him before at Hartlepool. He’s a very good character and has experience, despite his age, of being involved in promotion-winning teams,” explained Challinor. “He’ll give us real good versatility down that right-hand side, the one area in the team where we needed some depth. I know he’ll fit into the group really well and we are all looking forward to his time with us.”
Director of Football, Simon Wilson added: “Lewis is a good footballer who brings nice versatility for us down in the right defensive positions, and comes to help us after the unfortunate recent loss of Kyle Knoyle. His experience and quality means he is ready to slot right in. It’s a real positive that he’s worked with Dave previously and already lives locally, so can come in and hit the ground running.”
Cass joins fellow loanees Ethan Bristow, Rhys Bennett and Rico Richards in making temporary moves to Edgeley Park throughout the January transfer window.