Big deals may be thing of the past but clubs remain active

This summer, however, it has not just been commuters and lorry drivers who have been clogging up the lanes but also footballers due to a staggering 74 players being transferred by the four clubs dotted along the trans-Pennine route.

Of those, Huddersfield were involved in the most deals (21), Hull let the most players leave (12) and Leeds made the most signings (11).

Picking out the possible gems among the incoming transfers is far from an exact science, though of the four managers I would imagine Lee Clark, pictured right, was a content man when the deadline elapsed. The Town chief set out wanting to bring more experience to a side that had fallen just short in the play-offs.

And he has done just that Joey Gudjonsson, Jamie McCombe and Alan Lee firming up the Terriers spine, while perhaps Clark's best signing could turn out to be loanee Graham Carey from Celtic.

A couple of junctions down the M62, Bradford manager Peter Taylor has also had a busy summer with 10 new signings arriving at Valley Parade.

Of those, Tommy Doherty was the standout capture from Ferencvaros after having impressed against the Bantams for Wycombe a couple of seasons ago when Taylor was manager.

Doherty, troubled by a niggling injury, has so far failed to live up to the hype with it instead being Jake Speight who has made the biggest impression.

The striker's 25,000 transfer from Mansfield Town may have been followed by his shock jailing after being found guilty of assault, but, since being released on appeal, Speight has impressed hugely and looks like being a key player for City.

Over in Leeds, Simon Grayson lost Jermaine Beckford almost as soon as last season had ended but then pulled off the coup of the summer by snapping up Kasper Schmeichel on a free.

Grayson also did well to snap up Cardiff City's Ross McCormack last week, while the rest of United's signings fall into the 'wait and see' category with Lloyd Sam looking a steal on the evidence of the opening month.

In Hull, the summer was always going to be about slashing the wage bill and 11 players have left. Add to those departures the trio of loanees who returned to their parent clubs and it is clear what a devastating effect relegation has had at the KC Stadium.

City have, though, brought in the hugely promising Jay Simpson, while John Bostock's opening-day goal against Swansea shows it hasn't all been bad news down the eastern extremity of the M62.

Middlesbrough have also been busy, most notably bringing in new blood from Scotland in the form of former Rangers duo Kris Boyd and Kevin Thompson, with goalkeeper Brad Jones heading out on a 2.3m deal to Liverpool.

In the south of the county Rotherham United striker Adam Le Fondre is staying at the Don Valley Stadium and will be offered a new, improved deal.

The Millers slapped a 3m price tag on Le Fondre ahead of last night's transfer deadline and also rejected a possible swap deal involving Plymouth Argyle's Rory Fallon.

Le Fondre now wants a new deal with the League Two club that reflects his growing reputation and importance to the club's future.

Chairman Tony Stewart said: "We always made it clear that we were not going to let Adam go on the cheap and now we are looking forward to sitting down with him and his agent for contract talks.

"He is a first-class player and his commitment is there," Stewart added. "We want him to be part of the future we are building for Rotherham United."

Shrewsbury Town defender Dean Holden extended his loan stay with the Millers yesterday but Tranmere Rovers rejected a 30,000 bid for striker Iain Thomas-Moore.

Sheffield United manager Gary Speed will have to show patience in his quest to strengthen his new side.

Speed was unable to bring anyone in yesterday but is keen to study the list of Premier League players available on loan in seven day's time

French defender Jean Calve is the only new arrival at Bramall Lane since Speed took command two weeks ago.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine was able to retain the services of Marcus Tudgay.

The former Derby striker had been the subject of two bids from Blackpool in recent weeks but a third offer never came.

The only move of the day at Hillsborough involved goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell joining Conference club Grimsby Town on a month's loan.

O'Donnell, 22, had not even been on the bench for the Owls in recent games with Irvine preferring Aaron Jameson as cover for Nicky Weaver.

Barnsley striker Iain Hume was away on international duty with Canada and that proved an obstacle for clubs seeking his signature.

Both Preston North End and Brighton and Hove Albion are still interested, however, and could return with a fresh offer in a week's time

Manager Mark Robins was also unable to persuade Stoke City to part company with Ryan Shotton. The defender impressed on loan at Oakwell last season but will be staying at the Britannia Stadium for now.

Doncaster Rovers allowed summer signing Josh Payne to join League Two side Oxford United on a month's deal. He has made only appearance since arriving from West Ham United as a free agent.

With Premier League clubs announcing their 25-man squads later today – in line with new rules – it will become a lot clearer for Football League clubs who they may be able to pick up on loan deals for the rest of the season.