Neil Austin

By Clarence Rode
June 10 2009

Hartlepool have plugged a major gap in the Victoria Park squad by signing a right-back … from dear old Darlo. Moves between the two old rivals are rare nowadays, but the Quakers are in a financial mess and players are leaving in droves, so getting a highly-rated full-back for next to nowt was always going to be an attractive proposition.

Most Pools fans wouldn't be keen on signing a Darlo player as things stand, but the good news is that Austin is arguably their best ... or, he was until today. 

Austin is 26 and played more than 150 games for Barnsley after being groomed by his home town club, including playing for them in the Championship three years ago.

He moved to Darlo a year later and has been a regular there for two seasons, winning a place in the PFA League Two team of the season this year.

He is a recognised right-back, but can also play on the left, and his move was hardlty the best-kept secret in football. He has played 62 games for Darlo in the last two seasons, scorin five times.
Only a few days ago, the Pools club website said: “Turner was also quick to pour cold water on suggestions that Darlington's Neil Austin has undergone a medical with the Club last week.”

So he probably had a medical this week, or was it the week before last?

Austin is Turner’s fourth summer signing after Adam Boyd, Leon McSweeney and Peter Hartley.

Not bad going for a bloke who isn’t even the full-time manager … yet. Makes you wonder how many pklayers will be signed when the new manager gets he job?????