Hartlepool United Player Profiles: 2 to 5
By Albatross
May 30 2003
Time for some more Hartlepool United Player Profiles, and this time it's the turn of Paul Arnison, Mark Robinson, Mickey Barron and Graeme Lee....
A Hartlepool lad, Arno started his career at Newcastle but never made the first team there. He signed for Pools late in the 99/2000 season, making his debut in the 1-1 draw at Barnet. Initially signed on loan, he signed a permanent deal a couple of weeks later and marked his home debut with a goal against Exeter.
Nominally either a right back or right midfielder, he spent some time as a wing back the following season, sharing the position with Darren Knowles. He's also been known to play in the middle. He is probably best as a right back though, having had a couple of disappointing outings on the right of midfield this time round.
He has found it hard to dislodge Mickey Barron over the last 18 months, but has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2003/4. Arno will be hoping to make a few more appearances in the season ahead.
A product of the Youth Team, Robbo is firmly established as the regular Left Back at the age of 21. Making his debut at the start of 2000/1, he didn't get many starts that season and it was only last year that he broke through properly. His distribution has been called into question, and we have very little cover in his position - the arrival of Brian Barry-Murphy for a spell only highlighted this. Having said that, Barry-Murphy didn't offer anything more than Robbo to most eyes, but is now at Sheffield Wednesday and getting a regular game!
Mickey, the Club Captain, originally first joined Pools for a Loan Spell during the 1996/7 season. After being released by Middlesbrough the following Summer, he signed for Pools on a permanent deal and has now made well over 250 appearances for Pools.
Initially signed as a defender or midfielder, he soon became an important part of the Pools Defence, and was especially impressive as part of a back three.
With Pools switching to 4-4-2 part-way through last season, and Arnison and Bass both out of favour, he found himself asked to play at right back. He's been the regular there ever since. Although at first he looked uncomfortable there, he's gradually adapted to the position and was recently rewarded with an extended contract that will see him at the club until at least the 2004/5 season.
Spike is the longest-serving player at the club, having come through the youth ranks to make his first team debut as a 16 year old against Bury on New Years Day 1996 - a match that finished in a 3-0 victory for Pools!
It wasn't until the following season that he became a more regular sight on the pitch, but before long he was attracting rave reviews, showing a maturity beyond his years and being one of the few bright spots for Pools during a very dark spell in the late 90s. Powerful in the air, he also filled in up front for a spell and is alway a danger from free kicks and corners. During the 1999/00 season he scored no less than eight times - not bad for a player who spends most of his time in defence.
He missed most of the 2000/1 season through serious knee problems, but has come back well since and has once again been attracting scouts from other clubs. Having made over 200 league appearances for Pools, he's one of the mainstays of the side: but has yet to sign a new deal at Pools, leading to speculation that he may be on his way in the summer.