Dave Challinor praises Joe Grey following National League record breaking full debut for Hartlepool United against King's Lynn Town

At just 17, Grey is Pools’ youngest ever player in the fifth tier and has already pushed himself into the first-team picture in what is his first year as a professional at Victoria Park.

And after scoring in the FA Cup and putting in a number of encouraging cameo performances from the bench, manager Dave Challinor showed the faith he has in the teenage forward by starting him in the fifth tier against King’s Lynn.

Grey played 74-minutes before being substituted for Luke Molyneux with the game effectively over with Hartlepool two goals to the good thanks to Luke Armstrong’s debut brace.

Despite a promising start to his Pools career, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for Grey so far this season as youth team uncertainty and registration issues threatened to derail his time at the club before it had the chance to take off.

But now with everything sorted, Challinor feels the Pools starlet has ‘really bright future’ ahead of him.

“He’s a really down to earth kid and really well brought up,” said the Pools boss.

“His family are really good with him and he’s a humble kid who works his socks off.

"Regardless of what happens, he’s got a real chance because you can give him a rollicking and it can sometimes be too much for a 17-year-old but for him it’s not, it’s water off a duck’s back and he gets on with it.

"I’m a bit disappointed for him that he’s making his full debut here at The Vic and there’s no one in here to show him that appreciation and support when he’s coming off the pitch with cramp after running himself into the ground.

"It’s the first [start] of many for him and what we get out of him, there’s no expectation from us on him but we know he’ll have his own expectations.

"He’s getting better and better and taking on board everything we’re asking of him – he’s got a really bright future.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor