Preston allegedly showed an interest in signing midfielder Andy Cannon last summer, but he finds himself in non-league football less than a year later.
The Telegraph’s very reliable transfer reporter Mike McGrath claimed last summer that Preston were keen on signing Cannon.
McGrath was the first reporter to note Preston’s interest in Ben Whiteman and also the first to report North End’s pursuit of Rhian Brewster.
There may well have been a semblance of truth to North End’s interest in Cannon then, even if no deal materialised.
Out of contract at Portsmouth last summer, the Ashton-under-Lyne-born midfielder fancied a return to the north.
Formerly of Rochdale, Cannon was an impressive League One midfielder and could have added depth at Preston.
Instead, Cannon chose to join Hull on a free transfer and then scored on his competitive debut against Preston at Deepdale.
The rest of the season hasn’t gone well for Cannon, as he hasn’t scored another goal and has only started four league games.
With no appearances since November, it’s clear that Cannon has no role to play at Hull – and he has now moved away from the Tigers.
Vanarama National League leaders Stockport County have today confirmed a deal to sign Cannon on loan until the summer.
That’s a major coup for County, who are on the verge of winning promotion back to the Football League.
Cannon will surely play a big role in County’s end-of-season run-in and promotion may just open up a permanent move.
Cannon now joins former Preston talents Ben Hinchliffe, Ryan Croasdale and Ollie Crankshaw at Stockport, and his move into the fifth tier suggests North End didn’t exactly miss out last summer; if Ali McCann can’t get a game at Preston, Cannon would have littler chance either!