Hartlepool United youngster aiming to catch Lee Clark's eye after penning new one-year deal
Academy product Campbell Darcy has agreed a new one-year deal with Hartlepool United.
Hartlepool United youngster Campbell Darcy has set his sights on making an impact at senior level after agreeing a new one-year deal at Victoria Park.
The Pools academy product has been in talks over a new contract since he returned from a highly successful loan spell with Hebburn Town as he helped Daniel Moore’s side secure promotion into the National League North. Darcy has already made four senior appearances for Pools after initially making his first-team debut as a substitute in the closing stages of an FA Cup third round home defeat against Stoke City in January 2023 before featuring in National League games against Aldershot Town, Dagenham and Redbridge and Gateshead over the following two seasons.
However, his most consistent involvement at senior level came with Hebburn after Darcy featured heavily across two separate loan spells at the Trustmark Group Stadium as the Hornets defied the odds to be crowned as Northern Premier League Premier Division champions and earn a first ever season in the second tier of the non-league game. Darcy’s focus will now be on earning more game-time at an even higher level after he expressed his determination to impress new Pools head coach Lee Clark ahead of the new season.
He told the club website: “I’m delighted to get everything sorted and commit my future to Pools. This football club has been a massive part of my life. I’ve grown up here, come through the Academy and made my senior debut here, so signing a new contract means a great deal to me. The past 12 months have been massive for my development. Going to Hebburn and playing regular senior football gave me exactly what I needed. I came back from both spells feeling like I had improved so much as a player and I’d like to thank everyone there for the way they looked after me.
“Coming back this summer feels like a fresh start for everyone. Training has been brilliant and working under Lee Clark alongside the new players has been a fantastic experience. There’s a real buzz around the training ground and everyone is working incredibly hard. For me, the aim is to stay in and around the first team squad, keep improving and give the manager something to think about. I know I have to earn my chance, but if an opportunity comes, I’ll be ready to grab it with both hands and show what I can do.”
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Environment
Chris Maxwell, head of football operations at Bromby & Partners, added: “Developing Academy players into first team footballers is fundamental to the long-term vision for Pools and Campbell’s new contract reflects that commitment. Our ambition is to build an environment where talented young players can see a genuine pathway from the Academy into the first team. That is an important part of the club’s future, but only players with the quality, attitude and commitment to compete at first team level will make that step.”
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