Former Hartlepool United, Carlisle and Stockport County defender Michael Raynes joins Northern Premier side Ashton United

Michael Raynes wins a header during the Vanarama National League match between Maidenhead United and Hartlepool United at York Road, Maidenhead on Saturday 10th August 2019. (Credit: Ian Randall | MI News)

Less than two weeks after announcing his retirement from professional football, former Hartlepool United defender Michael Raynes has a new club.

After making 497 professional appearances for seven different clubs, the 32-year-old defender has made the switch into part-time football with Northern Premier Premier side Ashton United following his release from Pools at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Raynes will also be part of manager Michael Clegg’s coaching team at Ashton. The news comes a day after the experienced centre-back rejoined one of his former clubs Stockport County as part of the new Academy Management team.

Raynes first joined Pools on loan for a brief stint during the 2018-19 campaign before rejoining on a permanent basis last summer.

He went on to make 36 appearances for the club in all competitions before a torn thigh muscle cut his season short before football was shut down entirely in March.