MArcus Richardson goes back on loan to Lincoln

By Albatross
December 8 2003

Hartlepool United striker Marcus Richardson has rejoined Lincoln City on loan. After his initial two month spell there, he's going back for a third and final month. Is it the prelude to a permanent deal?

It's hardly a surprise that Richardson is on his way back to Sincil Bank: comments made to local press seemed to indicate he was very happy down there, and there was much talk of a permanent move being sorted out before Marcus was recalled to Pools. Despite a decent performance against Chesterfield that initially saw him credited with the first goal, he soon found himself back in the reserves.

The move may have come out of the blue a little, but Richardson does look well out of the picture at Pools - and according to reports has been told that we won't be looking for a fee if another club comes in for him. He was recalled mainly due to a striker shortage at Pools, with Eifion Williams having missed the Blackpool game, and Paul Robinson picking up a knock that same day; with only Gabbiadini on the sidelines now, Joel Porter arriving, and Jack Wilkinson staking his claim for a first team place, Richardson has once again found himself frozen out.

Whether Lincoln can raise the funds to make the move a permanent one is a moot point. Operating on one of the lowest playing budgets in the league, Richardson is apparently somewhat out of their price range and some serious re-jigging of finances would have to take place - and all this in the continuing absence of Keith Alexander after his recent major surgery. Lincoln fans seem keen to have him though, talking along the lines of Richardson's presence being crucial in any promotion push - they currently lie in 8th place in Division 3.

There's also the possibility of Richardson meeting up with fellow loanee Adam Boyd, should the latter extend his time at Boston: the two clubs are due to meet on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the cup draw continues to dominate the Pools News: Neale Cooper believes that we can take 10,000 fans to the Stadium of Light, and with the sound of bandwagons all over Hartlepool groaning under the impact of so many people leaping on them, he may not be far out.