Hartlepool United remain in limbo with player contracts, start dates and season tickets as Dave Challinor discusses transfer targets

Thankfully, some clarity is set to be provided this week with new acting executive director Martin Jesper planning to issue a statement regarding the current situation at Victoria Park.

With other non-league clubs tying players down and putting season ticket contingency plans in place, Pools will need to act soon or risk being left behind.

Over a month since the retained list was issued, Hartlepool’s contracted squad remains just eight players strong.

Back in May, Luke James, Mark Kitching, Josh Hawkes, Kenton Richardson, Aaron Cunningham and Joe Grey were said to have been offered deals for the upcoming season. As we approach July, none have been officially tied down.

The offers on the table for the aforementioned players are not likely to be open for negotiation as the club’s finance management has become increasingly stringent during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hawkes is one player rumoured be attracting interest from a number of clubs, as Pools could struggle to retain the midfielder’s services for another campaign.

Dave Challinor previously stated that he sympathises with players who are out of contract this summer due to how difficult it is to secure a new deal amidst the ongoing uncertainty.

It is perhaps no surprise that of the 11 players released by Pools over a month ago, none have been able to secure a full-time contract elsewhere as of yet.

Only young goalkeeper Ryan Catterick has been announced to have signed for another club after local Northern Premier Leauge Division One West side Marske United confirmed the 21-year-old’s arrival earlier this month.

While Pools haven’t been able to secure any new signings themselves, Challinor is keeping his eye on the market.

With Gavan Holohan the only contracted player to have broken the five-goal mark last season, the Hartlepool boss is keen to add some fire-power to the side in the coming months.

“We want to bring a striker in, without a doubt,” Challinor said.

“We brought Lorne [Bickley] across and Rob Harker in on loan and the door isn’t closed there.

“But if we can get a proven National League goalscorer in then without question we’d look to do that. Everyone is looking and trying to get them because they make the difference.

“We’d spread goals out quite evenly last season, to be fair. We’re looking for players who are going to make us better and putting the ball in the net is the best part about football, so if we can have a player who can do that then great.”

Next season, Challinor will be looking to carry a ‘smaller’ squad of around 18 to 20 first-team players potentially supplemented by youth-team hopefuls. This is subject to progress being made with the club’s youth set-up which, like many things, remains up in the air.

While no official date has been confirmed, the 2020-21 National League campaign is set to start alongside other divisions in September, providing public safety measures can be adhered to.