Hartlepool United are buzzin’ says their ex-Sunderland keeper Carson

The Northern Irishman with a North-East home swapped relegated Cheltenham Town who perished at the end of last season for Pools, who climbed above them to clinch their great escape.

Carson was today in his eighth day of pre-season training as Pools continued their camp in Catterick, where they were being given a tough examination by the army.

It has been tough, yet enjoyable, for the players, and the former Sunderland keeper says the new boys have been encouraged by the positive feel, including the much-travelled striker Bill Paynter.

“I think Billy commented on the first day that you could sense an atmosphere around the place, it was buzzing,” said Carson.

“You can go into some places after a mediocre season, when it’s been mid-table, you can get the same old atmosphere.

“Players in those circumstances can have a ‘here we go again’ mentality.

“But I could sense around the lads that they couldn’t wait to get back in because of the excitement at what happened at the end of last season.

“Everyone is talking about taking that buzz into the new season.”

Carson has some big gloves to fill, having replaced Scott Flinders, with last year’s skipper exiting after six years at Victoria Park, signing for League Two rivals York City.

Given his pedigree - he was formerly with Sunderland and is a Northern Ireland international - the 27-year-old would appear to fit the bill as a top keeper.

But his arrival is not the only good bit of business by Ronnie Moore, with several excellent young players coming in.

“The team the gaffer is putting together is, for me, very exciting,” he said.

“I don’t see why we can’t be pushing up at the top end of the table.”