Gideon Kodua did not even get off the bench as Luton Town defeated AFC Wimbledon in Friday’s League One curtain-raiser; the West Ham United loanee watching on from the sidelines.
But, as the rest of England’s third tier prepare to kick off their 2025/26 campaigns over the course of the weekend, there could yet be a couple of debuts to watch out for.
Michael Forbes reunites with Kevin Nolan – the former West Ham United assistant coach – at Northampton Town. The Cobblers have travelled north to Wigan Athletic ahead of today’s 3pm fixture.
That League One opener will come too soon for Kamarai Swyer – the former Hammers starlet picked up an injury in pre-season – but talented centre-back Forbes will hope to hit the ground running as he aims to force his way back into the Northern Ireland picture.
Down on the South Coast, meanwhile, the prospect of Patrick Kelly featuring in a Barnsley kit for the first time away to Plymouth Argyle has Tykes boss Conor Hourihane champing at the bit.
Patrick Kelly during Arsenal U18 v West Ham United U18 - FA Youth Cup Final
Photo by Tom West/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane ‘really excited’ as Patrick Kelly leaves West Ham United
After Kelly helped Doncaster Rovers win the League Two title during a superb loan spell last time out, the tigerish midfielder returns to Yorkshire with a Barnsley outfit hoping to seal a return to the Championship at the fourth time of asking.
Sporting director Mladen Sormaz is convinced Barnsley have landed a ‘top midfielder’ in the making.
And Hourihane, who knows a thing or two about being a stand-out performer in the Football League, cannot wait to see Kelly in action.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
🗣️ "As soon as I spoke to Conor, it was a pretty straightforward decision."
Patrick Kelly on penning a long-term deal with the Reds ✍️
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) July 28, 2025
View Tweet
“I am really excited by Patrick,” says Hourihane, who represented both Barnsley and Plymouth alongside Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Swansea and Derby County in his own playing career.
“He came up over the last week and did really well at Doncaster. Everyone I spoke to about him spoke really, really highly of him.
“With the bits I have watched of him as well, he’s a player who, for such a young age, plays with maturity and room to grow and develop. I think he’s a really good asset and footballer for the club.
“I think the deal was too good to come away from, so I was really keen to get Patrick over the line.”
Kelly explains why he left West Ham for League One
While Freddie Potts hopes to establish himself at West Ham under Graham Potter – the youngster has been one of the bright sparks of the club’s Premier League Summer Series campaign in the USA – Kelly felt that the time was right to bring an end to his three-year association with the Hammers.
“It’s a really good feeling. I’m really happy to get it over the line and I just can’t wait to get going,” the former Coleraine starlet said this week.
“I was coming into my last year [contracted to] West Ham. There was the option to go out on loan to a few clubs, there was quite a bit of interest from League One and Scotland.
“But, having a good chat with my agent, we felt going permanent may be the best step for me. Thankfully, West Ham co-operated.
“I loved my time at West Ham. I had a really good three years there.”
Kelly, alongside Kodua, Ollie Scarles, Kaelan Casey and Callum Marshall, was part of the West Ham side which battered Arsenal 5-1 in the FA Youth Cup final back in 2023.
“I felt that, as soon as I spoke to the manager, it was a pretty straightforward decision,” Kelly adds. “He just kind of spoke to me about where he sees me playing and helping the team, and the team’s goals.”