Joel Porter extends contract at Hartlepool United

Staying Put
By Albatross
July 25 2005

Hartlepool United have announced that Joel Porter has extended his stay with the club. There were rumours that he may want to return to his homeland not long ago - but the popular Aussie forward has committed his future to Pools.

Porter has moved from being something of a fringe player at Pools to an undoubted crowd favourite - and it's excellent news that he has committed his future to the club.

Porter arrived in the UK after making an impact in Australian Domestic Football, and representing the Australian National Team in the Oceania Nations Cup back in 2002. Soccer Australia were unable to bring some of the European players back for the Tournament, and Porter not only represented his country but finished as top scorer as the Socceroos finished as runners-up to New Zealand.

Wanting to try his luck overseas - as most top Aussies seem to do - he travelled to the UK and after a couple of unsuccessful trials came to Victoria Park late in 2003. After impressing, he was signed up by Neale Cooper and scored on his second appearance, against Burton Albion in the FA Cup.

Porter was some way short in fitness terms, and the rest of 2003/4 saw him working hard to adapt to the English game. Although he scored five times, not everyone was convinced: there were suggestions that he'd be better employed on the left wing.

Last season though was a different story. Although he wasn't an automatic choice to start with, his two goals against Doncaster after coming on as a sub made him hard to leave out and was soon Adam Boyd's regular partner. His determination, ability and no little pace brought him 16 goals and the Player of the Season award; and when he missed a few games through injury towards the end of the season he was very much missed.

Now he's agreed a new deal we can look forward to seeing Joel terrorising defences for Pools for some time to come. Despite the competition for his place, there's no doubt in my mind that a fit and on form Porter will be very hard to leave out.