Where are they now? The Hartlepool United side that staged the spectacular 'Great Escape' four years ago
By Mark Donnelly
Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT
Updated 26th Apr 2019, 14:14 GMT
It was the most remarkable of relegation escapes - but what happened to the Hartlepool United squad that staged the Great Escape?
Having been ten points adrift of safety in January, Ronnie Moore rallied Pools to a spectacular surge up the League Two table - as they avoided relegation to non-league for the first time in the club's history. Survival was mathematically secured on April 25, 2015 courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Exeter City - but what happened to the squad that featured at Victoria Park that day? Scroll down and click through the pages to see what became of Pools' Great Escape squad:
Ronnie Moore celebrates Hartlepool United's 'Great Escape'
The experienced stopper was a key component of Pools' Great Escape, and is still playing now. He is currently turning out for League Two side Cheltenham Town.
Austin spent six years at Pools, with the Great Escape campaign proving to be his last. He went on to join Shaw Lane, and signed a deal with Gainsborough Trinity at the start of the current campaign.
Harrison joined Pools on loan during the Great Escape season, later making the move permanent. He was released last season and joined Falkirk, who then loaned him out to Spennymoor Town.
An experienced head in the backline, Bates went on to become player-coach at Pools before succeeding Craig Harrison midway through last season. He parted company with the club earlier this season.
The Hartlepool academy product came to the fore during the Great Escape campaign, but was released in 2016. He now plays for National League rivals Barrow after a spell with Grimsby Town.
Released by Pools in 2015, Franks briefly rejoined the club last season - and has since jetted off to Iceland to team-up with Icelandic top flight side IBV.
