Pools after Jason Gavin?

By Albatross
June 26 2005

The Rumour Mill is grinding away, with Irish Soccer site eleven-a-side.com is reporting that Hartlepool United are interested in taking Jason Gavin to Victoria Park. The former Bradford defender is available on a free from Shamrock Rovers.

Gavin is a defender, and although born in Dublin like many promising prospects was picked up by an English club - specifically Middlesbrough. He made a total of 25 starts for the Smoggies, but was never really a regular and had loan spells at Grimsby and Huddersfield. (Contrary to what Soccerbase reports, he didn't come on loan to Pools - although namesake Mark Gavin played twice while on loan in 97/8.)

He was then signed by Bradford, making 44 appearances in two seasons before being released in March and heading back to Eire with Shamrock Rovers. They are however in financial difficulties and with the Irish season running over the Summer in any case, the former u21 International may be tempted by the idea of coming back across the water when his short-term deal expires in the next week or so.

Gavin wasn't held in particularly high regard at Bradford, one report on their official site last season even going so far as to refer to him as a forgotten man when he came on as a sub against Colchester. It appears that Bryan Robson rated him but the fans didn't; his style was it seems too close to that of David Wetherall to make them an effective partnership, and he rarely shone despite plenty of opportunities.

Pools and Darlo are apparently in for him if the report is correct, with Pools favourites. Is it true? Only time will tell, but Pools are probably in the market for another central defender with Westwood leaving, and Gavin can also apparently move to full-back if required. He sounds more of a Nelson than a Westwood, although it should be remembered that he's yet to show he can perform to that level. He may not have impressed at Bradford, but then again the world of football is littered with players that have failed at one club only to be an unqualified success at another. In the meantime we'll have to wait and see first of all whether he arrives, and then whether he's good enough to do a job for us.