Former Hartlepool United stalwart lands South Shields coaching role
A former Hartlepool United defender has secured a new coaching position with the academy set-up at National League North club South Shields.
Former Hartlepool United stalwart Michael Nelson has secured a new role within the academy set-up at National League North club South Shields.
The 46-year-old joined Pools from Bury during the summer of 2003 and went on to make over 300 appearances for the club during a six-year stay at Victoria Park. Nelson was part of the side that were beaten in the League One play-offs by Bradford City during his first season with the club before suffering an agonising play-off final defeat against Sheffield Wednesday 12 months later. Despite being relegated in May 2006, Nelson remained at the club and helped them bounce back into the third tier as League Two runners-up and that is where they remained when he departed for Norwich City in the summer of 2009.
Nelson went on to feature for the likes of Bradford City, Hibs and Barnet during his playing career and returned to The Vic as joint-caretaker manager with Graeme Lee in 2022. After coaching within the academy and first-team at Northern League club Park View since 2023, Nelson will now take up a new role at South Shields as he becomes their new lead coach for the Mariners Under-19s side.
A Mariners statement read: “Combining decades of experience across every level of the game with proven leadership and coaching expertise, Nelson's knowledge, professionalism, and player development background make him an ideal addition to the club's academy. Welcome to South Shields FC, Michael!” In a post on social media, the former Pools defender added: Delighted to have joined South Shields FC Academy as Lead U19 coach and can’t wait for the season to start.”
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