Hartlepool United youngsters to face Northern Premier League side in pre-season

Northern Premier League club Ashington have confirmed they will face Hartlepool United’s new Under-21s professional development squad in a pre-season friendly in July.

Pools owner Landon Smith signalled his intent to ensure young players were given a pathway from the club’s academy into the first-team setup when he completed a takeover at the Prestige Group Stadium in December. That has led to the introduction of an Under-21s side ahead of the 2026/27 season and Pools have already stressed the new setup will ‘reflect the continued growth of the Academy and its importance to the club’s long-term vision’.

A club statement released earlier this month read: “Working closely alongside Academy and first team staff, the U21 professional development squad will help create greater consistency across playing style, recruitment, coaching standards and player development throughout the football club. The introduction of the U21 squad forms part of Pool’s wider long-term football strategy and reflects a continued focus on building a modern and sustainable pathway capable of preparing young players for the demands of senior football both on and off the pitch.”

Poolies will get a chance to view the new look Under-21s side in action when they travel to face an Ashington side at their Woodhorn Lane home after the Colliers confirmed they will face the Pools youngsters on Wednesday, July 22 for a 7.30pm kick-off. Ashington are managed by former Hartlepool youth team and reserves midfielder Marc Ellison, who played alongside the likes of Matty Robson and David Foley during his time with the club’s second string.

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