Hartlepool United could face further North East competition in the National League next year - on and off the pitch
Hartlepool United could face further North East competition in the National League next season.
Something has stirred on the south banks of the Tyne during the second half of the season and it could potentially send waves of concern towards Hartlepool United as they face a pivotal first summer under the ownership of Landon Smith.
Just three months into his reign as Pools supremo, the American businessman already appears to be facing some difficult decisions ahead of his first full season at The Vic. Several players are approaching the end of their contracts with the club and the future of Nicky Featherstone and his coaching staff will be up for discussion after a stuttering second half of the campaign ended with their play-off push brought to a halt by several underwhelming results. Wider conversations about strengthening the club’s infrastructure to help meet Smith’s aims of sustainable progress will also be ramped up once another season of change on and off the pitch comes to a close.
No matter what comes to pass over the coming weeks and months, there will be sizeable challenges across the National League with several big names set to arrive in non-league’s top tier with sizeable budgets and ambitions at their disposal. As it stands, Gateshead are the only other North East club in the division and their second half of the season has made national headlines after Rob Elliot’s side produced a remarkable escape from relegation. A Valentines Day defeat against Brackley Town left the Heed 11 points from safety - but a major upturn in form that brought wins against the likes of York City and Scunthorpe United means the Tynesiders have comfortably retained their National League status with two games remaining.
Gateshead’s redemption story and successes of recent seasons have not been built upon big budgets - but do have their foundations in effective recruitment, successful loan deals and the offer of a pathway to a potential EFL move. They can be considered as a stepping stone club - but that should not be viewed as a negative as they are aware of the place in the pecking order and use it to their advantage. A whole host of players have been snapped up after disappointing spells elsewhere and have had their careers rejuvenated at the International Stadium before earning moves to the Championship, League One and League Two. Although the Heed are unlikely to be able to offer a financial package to compete with Pools during their summer recruitment efforts, offering the opportunity to earn a potential move up the English football food chain will be persuasive for some potential additions.
Sizeable challenge
However, another North East club could be set to muddy the waters when it comes to Pools’ plans for next season - and it appears they will have the financial clout to present a sizeable challenge. South Shields have firmly moved on from a disappointing Bank Holiday Monday defeat against Darlington by plundering their way to nine goals during wins against Radcliffe and Macclesfield over the last week and that has taken the Mariners to the top of the National League North table. It also provided a perfect start to a huge week for the South Tyneside club as they await a green light from the National League for their recent agreement with an international investment fund that will trigger changes to the ownership structure at the 1st Cloud Arena.
The Mariners rise up the non-league pyramid over the last decade has been one of the stories of the North East football scene during that time. Ten years ago this month a Pools side containing the likes of Billy Paynter, Rhys Oates and current boss Nicky Featherstone were securing their League Two status. At the same time, South Shields were landing the first of four promotions in six completed seasons as they were crowned as Northern League Division Two champions. There is now a strong possibility the two sides could compete at the same level next season with the Mariners embroiled in a remarkable National League North title race with AFC Fylde.
Proposition
Should promotion be achieved over the next ten days, South Shields will not just look to survive in the National League, they will hope to thrive. The ambitions of those guiding their fortunes on the pitch and those driving the club forwards behind the scenes will mean they will aim to become serious players in the National League. They already possess a squad containing a number of players that will be able to compete at a higher level with top goalscorer Paul Blackett and academy product Will Jenkins amongst a number of Mariners stars that have captured attention from EFL clubs in recent seasons. There have also given a clear signal of their ambition by seeing off competition from a number of National League and League Two clubs to secure an unexpected permanent deal for Middlesbrough youngster Sonny Finch after he enjoyed a productive loan spell with Ian Watson’s side.
With further investment expected, South Shields will provide another sizeable challenge to Pools in the transfer market this summer as they look to continue building momentum. With a defined style of play and a specified profile of player targeted, the Mariners will be an attractive proposition for transfer targets and their presence in an already crowded market could well hamper Pools in their own efforts to rebuild their squad and move on from what has been an underwhelming year.
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