Timi Odusina admits Hartlepool United's promotion is yet to sink in

Pools won promotion thanks to the most dramatic of National League play-off final wins over Torquay United, with all thoughts now turning to next season.

On Sunday, Pools announced their retained list ahead of a busy summer of transfer activity.

Midfielder Mark Shelton and defender Timi Odusina both had one-year extension options in their contracts which have been activated.

Reflecting on promotion, Odusina said: “It’s just been a massive blur since that penalty. Since Brad [James] saved it and it hit the bar, it’s just been a massive blur.

“Feeling of joy, feelings of elation. I think it’s every footballers dream to win a trophy and go up because so many go through their careers without winning anything or do anything meaningful.

“To do it with a club like this, a massive club, it just means a lot. I can’t put it into words how much it means.”

On Friday, the squad and coaching staff celebrated with the fans on the bus parade.

He added: “It’s very special. We got a bit of an opportunity to do that on Sunday at Millennium Square but Friday really tops it off.

“I think it gives us the opportunity to give back to the fans and show them how much it means to us. It’s been crazy.

“I don’t think it will sink in for a very long time. It’s hard for it to sink in when it’s all you really dream of.

“It’s been a very long season for us and to top it off like that, it just means the world.

“We watched the game back on Monday and it was sickening.

“Even though I knew how it ended, it was actually sickening watching that second half, watching us hang on. Even when the goal went in, it was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had, being 90 seconds away.

“I think it all adds to how we felt at the end of the game and the rollercoaster had a good ending so that’s all that matters.”

The National League play-off final against Torquay United proved to be a promotion final classic as Luke Armstrong gave Pools the lead before Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan headed in a 95th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time and penalties.

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