Adam Campbell: could resurgent attacker be the man to propel Hartlepool United back to the Football League?
Just a few short weeks ago, it would have been hard to imagine that Adam Campbell would be the man to inspire Hartlepool United's turnaround in form.
Indeed, it was not long ago that Campbell found himself alone at the back of the press benches, watching on as Pools were beaten by rivals Carlisle on a dreary Wednesday evening at the beginning of October.
Given the fact that his side were in the midst of a miserable run of results that would end up costing manager Simon Grayson his job less than a fortnight later, the 30-year-old must have found himself extremely frustrated at not being able to even make the Pools squad, let alone the starting XI.
To make matters even worse for Campbell in Cumbria, he had to spend half time chatting to the Hartlepool Mail's Pools reporter, who had spotted him in the press area at the break.
That night, the versatile forward spoke of his anguish at being omitted from the squad as well as his determination to break back into the side and prove his worth to Pools fans, many of whom had been hugely critical of him since he signed for the club in the summer of 2024.
In fact, most supporters would surely have felt that the likeliest next step for Campbell was to head out on loan, perhaps to his former side Gateshead, ahead of a possible permanent transfer in the summer.
Yet fast forward seven weeks, and Campbell has become the toast of the Poolie faithful following a blistering return to form, inspiring a run of six games unbeaten under interim manager Nicky Featherstone.
Indeed, one of the first things Featherstone, who like Campbell built his footballing career on his technical prowess, did after taking temporary charge was to restore the attacker to the side.
Having featured from the bench as Pools were dumped out of the FA Cup by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity, Campbell was handed his first start since March ahead of a trip to Sutton as Featherstone reshuffled his pack in a bid to inspire a response following a nightmarish start to life in the dugout for the veteran midfielder.
While it took Campbell some time to get going - no huge surprise, given he had made just two fleeting substitute appearances in the opening couple of months of the season under Grayson - the attacker has since burst into life as Pools have revived their previously faltering play-off hopes.
Having scored his first Pools goal in a year against Morecambe, Campbell was on hand to fire home the winner as Featherstone's side edged past play-off chasing Halifax, the first time the experienced forward had scored in back-to-back games since arriving at Victoria Park.
Yet it has been Campbell's performances that have stood out, with the diminutive attacker the outstanding player in West Yorkshire, earning himself a place in the National League's team of the week, while he has since provided assists against both Wealdstone and Eastleigh, meaning he now boasts four goal involvements in the last four games.
Given his pedigree and obvious quality - Campbell made both his European and Premier League debuts for Newcastle while he was still a teenager, was a vital part of the Gateshead side that were crowned National League North champions in 2022 and helped Crawley win promotion to League One in 2024, scoring seven goals in 42 games and even turning down a new deal in West Sussex to sign for Pools - it should not have come as a huge surprise that he now looks to have rediscovered his best form.
That said, there were times last season when, not helped by former manager Darren Sarll's direct brand of football nor the dire condition of the pitch at Victoria Park, Campbell looked bereft of confidence and a shadow of his former self.
Indeed, the former Notts County, Morecambe and Darlington man was the subject of increasing criticism from sections of the fanbase, which reached its zenith when his name appeared to be jeered by some supporters as he was substituted during a goalless draw with Maidenhead in February.
In that sense, then, there were surely plenty of fans who struggled to see how Campell might turn things around, but it is testament to both his talent and strength of character - as well as to the backing and support of Featherstone - that he has managed to.
Now, Pools fans are hoping Campbell can be the man to propel them into the play-off places and, perhaps, back to the promised land of the Football League. After all, as Campbell has proven this season, anything can happen in football.