Former Hartlepool United target Robbie Tinkler open to North East return after leaving Aldershot Town

Pools were believed to have been one of a number of clubs to have held talks with the England C cap when he left Gateshead last summer.

However, Tinkler chose a move to Hampshire and became a regular in a Shots side that stayed clear of the relegation battle in non-league’s top tier.

His one-year contract expired at the end of June meaning the former Middlesbrough academy graduate is now a free agent and on the look for his next club.

A number of League Two, National League, National League North and Scottish clubs are believed to have shown an interest in Tinkler – and the 24-year-old has insisted that he will “consider every offer” that comes his way.

He said: “In an ideal world, I would like to move somewhere close to home.

“It would be nice to be at a Hartlepool or a York – but you have to be realistic about things at the moment.

“It’s a very different world that we are living in and finances are different to where they were a year ago.

“There are a lot of players out of contract and they are all looking for clubs.

“It’s tough, but everyone is in the same boat.

“If you are fortunate to have a contract by now, you are one of the lucky ones.

“As of right now, in terms of offers, I have to consider every offer.”

Tinkler has racked up over 100 National League appearances and an England C cap during his time in the non-league game.

After spending an initial loan spell at Gateshead during his time at Middlesbrough, the Trimdon-born defender made a permanent move to the International Stadium ahead of the 2018/19.

Tinkler was a key part of a Heed squad that put off-field issues behind them to challenge for a play-off place in the National League.

He was named as Aldershot’s vice-captain in the aftermath of last summer’s move to the EBB Stadium and was a regular in Danny Searle’s side throughout the campaign.

As he continues to assess his next step, Tinkler believes that he is ready to prove that he can cope with life in the Football League, but admitted that he would need a manager to take a chance on signing him this summer.

“With the age I am at, I would like to take a step up into the Football League,” he explained.

“I don’t have that experience, so somebody will have to take a chance, I know that.

“But I have always raised my game from under-18s to under-23s to senior football.

“I honestly believe I can step up; I just need a manager that can put their faith in me.

“That is not say if something in Scotland, the National League, or the North division came in, I wouldn’t consider it.

“I’m open-minded, I have to be, it’s not a year for the player with everything going on.”

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