What is the current championship team worth?

By Simian
August 12 2002

A thought crossed my mind This Pools team is undoubtedly the best we've ever had in our history. In the past our team has been valued at nothing, some would say that was an gross overvaluation! But is Boydy worth half a mill? What about SupaGord, getting on a bit but still knocks the goals in..

It's a fact that we once payed £10 and a box of kippers which gives you an idea of the quality we looked for then. I thought it may be interesting to give a each player a value and see what it comes out as. Obviously the values are completely subjective but Read on and discuss.
Anthony Williams - GK
U21 Welsh international who was the alleged subject of a £250k bid from Cardiff a couple of years ago. A great stopper highly rated by Chris Turner, and he should know what a good goalie looks like. £150'000

Paul Arnison - Defence
Arno has come on leaps and bounds over the past 12 months. Did well in Newcastle's reserves but a permanent contract failed to materialise. Since joining Pools has proven to be a good full back His value increased immeasurably during the play-off away leg at Cheltenham in terms of respect from the Pools fans and in the financial sense. £75'000

Mark Robinson - Defence
Has recently broken into the first team and now looks a first choice. Good going forward and the fact that he is a natural left footer adds to his value. £100'000

Michael Barron - Defence
Long serving team captain and defence co-ordinator. Micky Barron is a classy player who marshalls the defence well. An excellent central defender who although can play as a full back is not particularly suited to that position. £150'000

Graeme Lee - Central Defence
There are various rumours of Premier clubs being interested in Spike although no offers have been made public. Southampton & West Brom have been mentioned several times. Spike is able to play up front as he has demonstrated in the past. However he is not a centre forward, he is an excellent central defender. Got to be worth £1m + £1'000'000

Chris Westwood - Defence
Viv has his critics, they were particularly vocal after the home play off leg against Cheltenham. That said he more than redeemed himself in the return. Arno was awarded MOM but it was a close run thing. Westy is now an integral part of a our back 4/5 £100'000

Mark Tinkler - Midfield
Possibly the best midfielder in the world! Tough, gritty, good passer, currently leading goalscorer in the division. What else can you say? Runs Gordon Watson very close as Chris Turners best signing. £100'000

Ritchie Humphreys - Midfield
His show of emotion after that penalty miss endeared him even more to the Poolie faithful. Criticised by those who knew no better for a lack of goals last term, Ritchie is a class act . The Hartlepool team would be a lot less formidable without him. £200'000

Effion Williams - Forward
Made an immediate impact after signing from Torquay toward the end of last season. Effion has forged a tremendous partnership with His Majesty Gordon Watson. Why he wasn't snapped up by a higher league team is one of life's mysteries. £100'000

Gordon Watson - Forward
What can I say? Not only does Super Gord scores the goals, he motivates and controls the team. As much a captain as Micky Barron albeit in a completely different way, Watto is a tireless performer. At 31 he is one of the older members of the squad if he was younger he would again be a million pound plus player. £100'000

Darrell Clarke - Midfield
Given to us by the foolish Mansfield club Clarkie has proved a revelation. That said he by his own admission was very stale at the Stags. A hat trick against Swansea immediately paid off whatever the transfer fee was. Got to be worth at least £100k. £100'000

Paul Smith - Winger
Pools are invariably less creative when Smithy is absent. His runs down the wing are a joy to behold as is his skill on the ball. A great crosser he was involved in countless goals in the run-in last term. The fact that our rise up the league started with his arrival was more than coincidence. £200'000

Kevin Henderson - Forward
Hendo is currently out of the team not through a lack of ability but when Watson & Williams are doing so well it would be a brave decision to split them up. Scored 18 goals in 2000-01 and a bad injury kept him out for most of last year. At 26 he is still has a good few years left in him and would walk into the first team of most 3rd div clubs. £75'000

Tommy Widdrington - Midfield
Despite being unable to play football, a bad back didn't stop him frequenting the pubs and golf courses of Trentham. Tommy is another midfield general who can control the midfield with intelligent passes. He is getting on a bit so his value is reduced. Although his pedigree is first class, it's hard to see how he is going to displace any of the team who performed at Carlisle. Ps: I am a fan of Widds. £50'000

Adam Boyd - Forward
500K at the moment. In time his value will rise substantially, particularly when we sell him to a Premiership club as we most certainly will. Boydy has it all, skill in vast quantities, an intelligent football brain (contradiction in terms?) vision, pace, you name it. £500'000

Paul Stephenson - Midfield
An old codger !! but still a good midfielder. Played on the England youth same team as Gazza so he must be good with a pint glass. How he still gets away with that little reverse shimmy is anyone guess, we all know it's coming and sure enough it does and it works. Never quite reached the level that his skills suggested nowadays his age reduces his value. £50'000

Jon Bass - Defence
An indifferent start to last year seen his stock drop amongst the Pools fans but a few good per-season performance does seem to be increasing his perceived worth. £25'000

Jermaine Easter - Forward
Always rapid, in fact extremely rapid. But hasn't always known what to do when he got there. A promising pre season seems to suggest that he may have developed. £75'000

James Sharp - Defence
Mysteriously went from being player of the year to being dropped for practically the whole of last season. Maximus is still a proven defender and could do a good job in this league. You get the feeling that but for a 2 year contract he may have been released during the summer. £50'000

Jim Provet - GK
A youth team development of whom too little is known at this level however he is clearly highly thought of by Turner and that alone gives hime some value. £50'000

Gordon Simms - Defence
Another product of the Wolves youth team mafia and an U21 Northern International. He will will come good in due course. £75'000

Antony Sweeney - Midfield
A very exciting prospect who has come from the youth set-up to the first team. His speed will terrify defenders and has a good future ahead of him. £100'000 and rising.

Brian Ross
Yet another of Billy Horner's lads who has made it. In fact until sitting down to write this article I hadn't paid that much attention to the youth team, the Man United game apart, but what we seem to have here is a great opportunity to do in the next few years what Crewe have previously achieved.

All in all that makes this Pools team worth in the region of 3.5 million pounds. That figure will undoubtedly increase after we win promotion this season.