Hartlepool United defender David Ferguson admits new boss Darren Sarll tried to sign him while he was in charge of Stevenage

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees Sport, the 29-year-old admitted that the admiration Sarll has shown for him - both in the past and after his appointment at the Suit Direct, when he spoke glowingly of the full-back - made it an easy decision to put pen to paper on a new deal last week.

The last couple of years - and last season in particular - have been tough for Ferguson, who was stripped of the captaincy and became the subject of lashings of criticism from the fanbase as Pools slipped down the table under John Askey.

However, it's easy to forget just how good Ferguson was towards the beginning of his spell in the North East - he was named in the National League team of the season when Pools were promoted under Dave Challinor in 2021 and was one of the outstanding performers on their return to the Football League, scoring a crucial goal in the FA Cup third round to set up a trip to Premier League Crystal Palace.

And it transpires that Sarll has long been an admirer of the defender after Ferguson revealed he tried to sign him while in charge of Stevenage, his first managerial role.

Sarll, who worked under the tutelage of the late Glenn Roeder at the Lamex, steered Stevenage clear of trouble in 2016 following a run of one defeat in their final nine games before cementing the Boro's status in League One with a 10th-placed finish the following season.

During that time, Ferguson spent a season-and-a-half at embattled Blackpool, where he was given the captain's armband despite still being in his early 20s.

However, as the Seasiders, who were embroiled in incessant off-field issues, plummeted down to League Two, Sarll swooped in a bid to land the full-back.

In the end, Ferguson, who was born in Sunderland, opted to remain closer to home and signed for Darlington before moving on to York, where he impressed and earned a move to Pools.

While that means that next season will be the first time the pair are set to work together, it surely bodes well for Ferguson that the new boss has long been an admirer of his as he bids to get back to his best.

He told BBC Radio Tees Sport: "He tried to get me when he was at Stevenage.

"It's nice that he thinks a lot of me, and he had nice things to say.

"It made the decision a lot easier and I'm looking forward to working with him, getting involved and getting stuck in."