Sweeney latest to sign up

By Albatross
June 28 2004

Hartlepool United have confirmed this morning that Anthony Sweeney has signed a new deal with the club. The former Youth Teamer will be hoping that he can continue to establish himself in the centre of the Pools Midfield in the coming season.

It's something of a dramatic turnaround for Sweeney, as until the last ten games or so he had really failed to make a breakthrough into the first team. The player, who turns 21 in September, will no doubt be hoping to continue next season in the way he finished last - as a regular starter in the centre of the Pools midfield.

After starring for the Youth Team, he was tipped to be the next big thing at Pools - we were looking for the next Tommy Miller, and along came Sweeney, a combatative midfielder with an eye for goal - impressing Chris Turner enough that he signed him up on a pro deal well before his scholarship period finished. He made two sub appearances in 2001/2, but had to wait until the first game of 2002/3 and our win over Carlisle for his first start. He found himself subbed at half time though, and started just two more games during the rest of the season - the LDV at Tranmere, when Pools fielded a reserve side, and the 3-2 win over Torquay in February. He also made three sub appearances.

2003/4 was a make or break season then - with his contract finishing and a new manager to impress. However, competition for places in the centre restricted him to three sub appearances - and as April started Sweens must have been wondering about his future. An injury crisis opened the door for him though - with Tinkler having to move back into defence, Sweeney came into the midfield for the game against Brighton and held his place for the remaining nine games, notching his first goal in the senior team against Luton and then scoring the goal that looked set to take us to Cardiff until the late late show at Ashton Gate. His all-action style has won him plenty of fans, and from being on his way out he found himself pretty certain to be offered a new deal - one that he has now signed.

There are now just two players still to agree deals at Pools - Darrell Clarke, and Paul Robinson. With out-of-contract players due to be officially released on Thursday, we can expect definate news on both players this week.