McClen, Conlon targets for Hartlepool United?

By Albatross
July 7 2003

There's speculation circulating that Hartlepool United are interested in a couple of players: Jamie McClen of Newcastle, and - gasp - Barry Conlon from the Quakers. Here's the lowdown on both players; will either of them be pulling on the new Home Shirt?

Of the two rumoured signings, McClen looks the warmest possibility. The 24 year old signed a new contract with Newcastle last summer, but has been told he is surplus to requirements and has been placed on the transfer list. It's unlikely the Mags would be after much of a fee for him, but Pools would probably face a bit of competition for his signature: AIK Solna of Sweden are reported to be interested, and there's a chance that Motherwell (where he spent an ill-fated loan spell in 2000/1) may also want him - though wages could be a stumbling-block.

The midfielder has made 10 starts for Newcastle, but made just one solitary appearance last season, coming on as a late sub in the win over West Ham in August. He's found himself pushed down the pecking order as the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Hugo Viana, Laurent Robert, and most recently Darren Ambrose and Lee Bowyer, have arrived. From what some Mags fans have been saying, he'd be more than capable of doing a job in Division 2; and he's also known to be keen to not only play first team football, but to stay in the North-East.

It's the rumour about Conlon though that is likely to have Pools fans talking. After all, he's been the (ahem) Star Striker for our local rivals for the past two seasons, and although many Poolies may not rate him, he's very popular with the majority of Loids. According to Rivals MB poster Quakerz, the deal is likely to involve Kevin Henderson and a fee similar to that we payed for Michael Nelson going to the Reynolds Arena.

Would he add something to our team? I may get hammered for this, but I think so. Conlon's great strengths are his ability in the air, and being able to hold the ball up: and we could have done with both of those things at times last season. Eifion is passable in the air, but I think is better employed as someone running at defenders and using his pace; Conlon would in many ways be the ideal man to flick the ball on for him to run onto. Of our other forwards, Richardson may be tall but isn't really a good header of the ball, Boyd and Easter lack the physical presence to compete with defenders, and Henderson has struggled for a couple of seasons now - it would be a major surprise if he made an impact in Division 2.

Of more concern is Conlon's disciplinary record. Since arriving at Darlington, he's picked up 19 yellow and 4 red cards, and has sat out a number of games through suspension. In 2001/2 he received more cards than he scored goals... Bizarrely, it seems that before arriving at Feethams he didn't have too bad a record, so maybe it says more about how Darlington chose to play him. His goalscoring record - especially last season - is well up to scratch though, and a partnership of Williams and Conlon might well score plenty in the same way that the Baker and Allon partnership did - first time round at least!

Is there any truth in this rumour? I haven't a clue. It sounds a bit unlikely, but stranger things have happened (Lee Ellison on loan at Pools springs to mind), and with Gorgeous George at the helm anything is possible.

One thing that isn't rumour though is the fact that the new Home Shirt will - shock horror! - be available in the club shop tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. How many of them may be another matter, but after what seems like years of having to wait until October to get hold of one, the club have finally come up with the goods. Methinks someone somewhere has been hitting the suppliers with a big stick.