Pat Hoban was added to our ranks on transfer deadline day in early 2016; manager Teddy Sheringham looking to transform his side’s fortunes in front of goal. He joined from fellow League Two outfit Oxford United, having made 33 outings for the Us up to that point in the 2015-6 season.

Pat Hoban: Before Boro’

A native of Galway, Hoban started out at Mervue United. It wasn’t too long before he was heading to England; snapped up by Bristol City in 2010. His time at Ashton Gate wasn’t especially fruitful, making no senior appearances and spending a short time out on loan at Clevedon Town.

Hoban spent a year in the West Country before returning to Mervue United, where he started to find the net with regularity. It earned him a move to Dundalk and it proved to be the making of him. There were no shortage of goals as he finished joint top scorer during the 2014 League of Ireland season, helping Dundalk to the title in the process.

Oxford United came calling in 2014, with Hoban apparently rejecting a trial at Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock in favour of a move to the Kassam. He was handed their number nine jersey, but somehow found himself out of favour enough in early 2016 to be allowed to come to Boro’ on a one-month loan deal.