In on a season-long loan from Birmingham City, Charlie Lakin arrived at the Lamex in August 2019 to boost a Boro’ squad struggling with injuries. A left-sided midfielder, the player had already turned out for the Blues’ first team before joining us. As is often the case, however, chances to shine at St Andrews were not in abundance given his youth. So, he came to us looking for the first team experience that’d push him on.

In his time with us, Lakin showed some encouraging signs; not always easy to do when we were in such dire straits before the 2019-20 campaign came to a premature end. It’s almost a thankless task to come in on loan in those circumstances. But you could see a consistent effort on his part. And you can only appreciate that.

Charlie Lakin: Before Boro’

To be fair, he did get 10 outings in the Championship during the 2018-9 season. But it seemed likely more opportunities would come his way with us. Not least because we’d been losing lads to the treatment room left, right and centre at the start of the 2019-20 campaign. With the early promise shown at the Blues earning him a one-year contract extension, there was no fear that he could slot right into our ranks and make his mark.