Hernia Op for Pools Skipper Barron

By Albatross
June 1 2004

Hartlepool United skipper Mickey Barron is to have surgery after a stomach problem was diagnosed as a hernia. The operation takes place today, and was delayed so Barron could take part in the final run-in and playoff games.

The surgery should mean that Barron will be fit for the pre-season campaign, and does go part way to solving a little mystery: Barron missed out on a few games towards the end of the season with a stomach
problem that seemed to have come on fairly quickly and didn't clear up well. After playing against QPR, he was unavailable for the Stockport game three days later and was spotted more on Pools World until finally getting back on the bench for the Wrexham game on Easter Monday.

Darren Craddock had by this time become the regular occcupant of the right back slot, and a combination of some reasonable performances and Mickey struggling for fitness meant that it wasn't until the key final game against Swindon that the Pools Skipper made his return to the starting eleven. He played in both playoff games, but had to be carried off after collecting a powerful cross full in the face.

Barron has played more than 300 games in all competitions for Pools, including 16 games on loan during 1996/7, and is by some distance Pools longest-serving player. Now 29, he will presumably be hoping to carry on at Pools and maybe even earn a testimonial - the last player to do so at Pools being Brian Honour. Assuming that this operation goes well, he'll be looking to make a slot in the back four his own yet again next season.