Teenage Hartlepool United defender extends loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side
Hartlepool United defender Campbell Darcy's loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side Hebburn Town has been extended until January.
The versatile 19-year-old, who can operate at right-back, centre-half or in a more advanced midfield role, signed for the Hornets on an initial one-month deal in September but has impressed manager Daniel Moore, who hailed the teenager as "an ideal young player for us", and is now set to remain at the Hebburn Sports and Social Ground until the new year.
Darcy, who featured for Pools in pre-season but is yet to make a competitive first team appearance so far this term, has been an integral part of a Hebburn side who are ninth in the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, one point outside the play-off places.
The youngster has operated in a number of different positions during his time with the Hornets, with Moore often preferring him in a midfield role.
Since making his Pools debut in December 2023 during an FA Cup clash with Stoke, Darcy has struggled to break into the first team picture and has made just three more substitute appearances.
Having impressed during a couple of cameos towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign under Kevin Phillips, Darcy featured just once last season, coming on as an 82nd minute substitute during April's win over rivals Gateshead.
Despite his limited opportunities, big things are expected from the defender, who has always looked confident and composed in a Pools shirt. Indeed, skipper Tom Parkes heaped praise on the youngster in May, hailing him as a "brilliant footballer" and admitting that "he's got everything I'd love to have; he's athletic, he's quick and he's powerful".
Likewise, Hornets boss Moore spoke glowingly of Darcy after his loan deal was extended.
"Campbell has been brilliant since coming in and he's at home within the squad," he told Hebburn's official club website.
"He's enjoying his football and that's the main thing for me. He is a great kid off the pitch and he's got a smile on his face on it and I think we are seeing the rewards of that on the pitch."