Dave Challinor hoping to tie down Hartlepool United starlet Joe Grey to first professional contract as he makes a comparison fans will love

Grey, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Monday, is now eligible for a pro deal at Pools after a standout season in the club’s youth side.

The teenager also impressed in the Durham Challenge Cup and featured on the first-team bench for the FA Cup ties against Exeter City and Oxford United.

Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor has eight players contracted beyond the summer as he discusses potential new deals.

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor. Picture by FRANK REID

While he remains fairly tight-lipped regarding some of Pools’ out-of-contract pros, the manager did mention Grey as a player he’s hoping to agree a deal with as soon as possible.

“The plan with Joe, it was his 17th birthday this week so things have been put in place to try and put Joe on a pro contract now,” Challinor said.

“The plan would have Joe train with us on a full-time basis because he’s shown real good signs when he has trained and he hasn’t looked out of place.”

Challinor went on to compare the youngster to a fellow Pools academy graduate that he’s also hoping to tie down for next season.

“Joe is very similar to Luke James to be honest because he’s a nuisance and will run his socks off, chase lost causes and has a goal in him too,” the 44-year-old added.

“He’s a baby and needs to fill out physically, which I’m sure he will. Hopefully, we’ll get things sorted out and he can be part of our first-team squad through pre-season then we look at what we can do to get him closer to our first team, whether that means him going out on loan or staying with us, we’ll see.”

With so much uncertainty surrounding football as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Challinor believes more youth players could emerge as a result of clubs looking to reduce costs.

“Things are incredibly uncertain but with any spell of uncertainty comes opportunity,” he continued.

“That’s certainly the case for young players who want to come and make a name for themselves and it’s something we’re always looking at.”