Hartlepool United are in need of at least one winger, probably more, this summer as new manager Darren Sarll looks to add width to his ranks. With that in mind, here are 13 options Pools could explore.
1. Ellis Taylor
It seems like such a sensible arrangement, this one. Native to the area, gifted, well-liked at Sunderland, exudes confidence following a standout season leading the Black Cats’ under-21 squad, and has grown significantly since a trying loan spell at Pools. During a preseason game in the summer of 2022, he caught the attention of the now-infamous former manager Paul Hartley. Almost without any warning, he signed a contract with Pools. began the season’s first game, a 4-0 thumping at Walsall, but played very little more than three replacement games in the league after that. The adolescent never had much of a chance, not from Hartley nor from his successor, Keith Curle. In actuality, Taylor felt that the relocation came too soon, and the tumultuous circumstances at the
2. Enzio Boldewijn
It was a bit of a surprise to see Eastleigh release the Dutch winger, given that he was rumoured to have attracted interest from the Football League in January but opted to stick by the Spitfires. The 31-year-old scored six goals in 46 appearances in Hampshire and has had at least some success pretty much everywhere he’s been; impressing in his homeland with Almere City, playing 100 times for Crawley before earning a move to Notts County, who paid a six figure sum to secure his services, where he scored 21 goals in 123 appearances. Like a lot of wingers, he can be a bit unpredictable but his experience as well as his record of rarely getting injured could make him a very attractive option indeed
3. Reece Smith
Maidenhead’s star player, the 21-year-old scored 11 goals in 41 games last term and is expected to make the step up to full-time football next season. Cultured, intelligent and with a wand of a left foot, the tricky attacker is unlikely to be short of suitors this summer. Geography, as well as his loyalty to the Magpies, could make this a challenging move to complete, but it would be a real statement from Pools
4. Abo Eisa
Eisa, who scored nine goals in 39 appearances for Grimsby this season prior to his release by the Mariners, could be an attractive option. A talented box of tricks, Eisa made a real impression after arriving at Blundell Park from Bradford and, although his impact faded somewhat in the second half of the campaign, it was still a bit of a surprise to see the Sudanese international let go. The 28-year-old might fancy another move to the Football League but it’s not impossible Sarll could persuade him to join Pools
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