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

Less than two weeks after announcing his retirement from professional football, former Hartlepool United defender Michael Raynes has a new club.
Dominic Scurr
By Dominic Scurr
Published 9th Jul 2020, 19:07 BST
Updated 9th Jul 2020, 19:13 BST
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)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)
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)

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.

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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.

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