Gary Liddle opens up about Hartlepool United move to Notts County and captaining the side against Liverpool

Gary Liddle of Notts County battles with Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool during the Capital One Cup Second Round between Liverpool and Notts County at Anfield on August 27, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) | Getty Images

‘Sentiments will go out the window’ for Hartlepool United defender Gary Liddle when he comes up against his former side Notts County this weekend.

Liddle left Pools to join the Magpies back in 2012 and went on to enjoy a very successful spell as he picked up numerous individual accolades during his time at Meadow Lane.

After making 88 appearances for Notts, he went on to play for Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle United and Walsall before returning to Hartlepool on loan earlier this season.

The 33-year-old has established himself as a first-choice centre-back in Dave Challinor’s side as he’s looking forward to facing his former club.

Gary Liddle of Hartlepool United during the Vanarama National League match between Barnet and Hartlepool United at The Hive, Edgware on Saturday 1st February 2020. (Credit: Jacques Feeney | MI News) | Other 3rd Party

“It’s a big game, we obviously have a couple of games coming up against teams above us,” the 33-year-old told Pools TV.

“There are teams that still have games in hand on us but if we can catch a couple of them on points and even get ahead of them then it will be great for us.

“It will be good to play against them because I have always enjoyed coming up against Notts County in the past.

“Although I was offered a contract [by Hartlepool in 2012], I thought it was the right time to leave.

“I had no real commitments, I was in my mid-20s and I thought if there was a time to try something new, it was then.

“I loved my time there and looking back, it's probably the most successful time I’ve had in my career.

“In my first year, I picked up four player of the year awards and broke a 30-year record from a guy called Pedro Richards for playing every minute of every game that season.

“I captained the club at Anfield and walked out with Steve Gerrard alongside me. I have a great affiliation with the football club and I was honoured to be voted in their team of the decade recently for them as well, I love that club and it’s a club that I’ve always looked out for.

“Sentiments go out the window on Saturday, as cliched as it is and I’m certainly hoping to get one over on them.”