Hartlepool United attacker named in The Non-League Paper's team of the week
Hartlepool United attacker Luke Charman has been named in The Non-League Paper's team of the week.
The 28-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance as Pools beat Altrincham 1-0 on Saturday, their first home game since American businessman and investor Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve.
While the game was not a particularly memorable one on what was a momentous occasion for Pools, the attacker worked hard to provide the hosts with some energy, impetus and drive and got the home fans out of their seats with a series of determined forward runs.
Charman has impressed since returning from bone bruising on his foot that kept him out for two months, producing a number of eye-catching performances and scoring the winning goal during last month's statement victory over league leaders Rochdale.
Indeed, Charman's decisive strike against Dale was a poignant one for the versatile forward, with the attacker scoring on the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of his best friend and fellow footballer Michael Newberry.
Newberry, who came through the ranks at Newcastle alongside Charman, passed away on December 30 2024, his 27th birthday and three days after he'd played for Cliftonville in the North Belfast derby against Crusaders.
While his end-product has, at times, left something to be desired, Charman is a popular figure at Victoria Park thanks to his pace, power and passion, scoring seven goals in 61 matches since signing from AFC Fylde in the summer of 2024.
Having impressed against Pools for the Coasters in the 2023/24 season, Charman endured a challenging first campaign at Victoria Park and found himself in and out of the side, even operating as a wing-back under Anthony Limbrick.
The former Darlington frontman found himself out of favour at the start of the new season under Simon Grayson but forced his way back into contention thanks to a series of strong cameos from the bench, scoring his first goal of the campaign on his first start against Boston in September.
From there, Charman started to establish himself as an integral part of the Pools side under both Grayson and new manager Nicky Featherstone, scoring his second goal of the season during October's draw with Solihull Moors.
Charman had been one of the outstanding performers during the early weeks of Featherstone's tenure and his absence was keenly felt after picking up an injury towards the end of October, only returning as a second half substitute in the goalless draw against Braintree on December 21.
While it's true that his attacking output leaves something to be desired - Charman has scored three goals in 21 games so far this season - his combative approach, determination to take on defenders as well as his natural pace and power make the attacker a real handful for National League defenders.
Indeed, recent performances suggest Charman is set to establish himself as one of his side's most important and influential players, with the forward capable of getting Pools up the pitch and providing them with some much-needed threat in the final third.
"Charms is massive for us," Featherstone said.
"You can win games of football differently with him, you can go into him more direct or you can play into his feet and he'll make something happen.
"The one thing with Charms is he's unaffected by anything off the field in terms of fan pressure or expectation - Charms will play the game as he sees it. If we're in a bad moment and the fans are on us, Charms is unaffected by that and he'll want to make things happen; if anything, it makes him more determined to succeed.
"I think having him involved gives us a real boost, at home especially. His goal and performance against Rochdale was a really fitting one because it was the anniversary of his best mate passing away. Charms is a massive positive for us - and for me."