Louis Stephenson has discussed his departure from Hartlepool United and what could lie ahead in an interview with The Mail.

Louis Stephenson believes his departure from Hartlepool United has offered him a chance to ‘kick on’ in his career.

The Pools academy graduate made his first-team debut shortly after his 17th birthday as he featured in an FA Cup second round win against Harrogate Town in November 2022 after spending several weeks training with the club’s senior players. He has since gone on to make over 30 appearances for his boyhood club - but a 90-minute appearance in a 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign will now go down as his last as a Pools player after news of his departure was confirmed earlier this week.

Stephenson admitted he was initially disappointed by the decision - but is now looking forward to ‘a massive year’ in his career as he looks to secure regular senior football elsewhere.

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He told The Mail: “It has been emotional because I’ve been at the club for so long. I’ve been there since I was 16, since I left school. When I found out the news, it was disappointing - but it’s come at a time in my career where I need to kick on at a different club and find somewhere I am going to play week-in, week-out and start my career. As much as I love the club and I didn’t want to leave, I think it’s best for my career and I can kick on somewhere else now.

“Maybe next year, given I wasn’t going to play at Pools, it’s a massive year for me. If I wasn’t getting games, it wouldn’t be beneficial for me or Hartlepool if I had stayed at the club. I need to find somewhere to play now, play a full season and then hopefully go on from there.

Interest

Louis Stephenson scored his first Hartlepool United goal in the 5-1 FA Trophy win over City of Liverpool. | Picture by Frank Reid.

placeholder image — Louis Stephenson scored his first Hartlepool United goal in the 5-1 FA Trophy win over City of Liverpool. | Picture by Frank Reid.

Stephenson, 20, has already secured invaluable experience during loan spells with Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town, Buxton and Morpeth Town and spent the final months of his time as a Hartlepool player working under former Pools duo Tommy Miller and Matty Dolan at National League North club Spennymoor Town. The young defender believes he has ‘proven himself’ during those temporary spells in the second and third tiers of the non-league game and he revealed he has ‘a mixture’ of interest from elsewhere following news of his departure from Pools.

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He said: “Every team I’ve played for, I feel I’ve proven myself. When I went on loan to Buxton, I enjoyed it, I played games and played week-in, week-out and did the same at Spennymoor. I can play at these levels but because of my age I need to prove myself across an entire season. My age helps a lot and clubs know what I have to offer. I’m not nervous, I will find a club and I am in a good place, even though it hasn’t worked out at Hartlepool. There is a mixture at the minute (with interest) so we will see what happens.”

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