Gavin Strachan signs for Pools

By Albatross
August 8 2003

After joining on trial last week, Gavin Strachan has agreed a deal with Hartlepool United. The Scottish midfielder and former under 21 international provides Pools with another option in the centre of midfield - an area some fans have been concerned about in recent weeks.

Strachan has signed in time to play in tomorrow's season opener against Peterborough - look out for our full preview later - after training with the squad this week and impressing against Newcastle last week.

His career so far hasn't included too much first team action, but he has made appearances at a high level. He made seven starts and sixteen sub appearances for Coventry, making his debut in the Premiership at Aston Villa late in 1997 as a sub for the last fifteen minutes. His first start came a fem months later in an FA Cup game also at Villa Park, where he helped Coventry to a 1-0 win and a place in the sixth round. He continued to make occasional starts and more frequent sub appearances for the rest of the season, before trying his luck at Dundee. He made six appearance for them in the Scottish Premier, including two against Rangers. He also played for Peterborough briefly last season; however it was only on non-contract terms and when a better offer came in from Southend he left after just two appearances. Fry spoke well of him though, and it was more to do with money than ability that Strachan didn't get a contract at London Road.

His only senior goal so far came in a League Cup tie at Preston in 2000/1; Strachan netted from the spot to complete a 3-1 win.

Strachan is someone that likes to pass the ball around, and that should mean he'll fit in well at Pools; and with Tinkler struggling for fitness there's every chance that he'll be in the starting lineup at London Road tomorrow.