By Albatross
December 16 2005

Hartlepool United have announced that three players are heading out on loan. Unibond League sides Blyth Spartans and Gatehead get to put Andy Appleby, Phil Turnbull and Stephen Turnbull through their paces.

Blyth have already had Neil Wilkinson on loan for a couple of months, and now have Appleby - already with experience at their level with Whitby the season before last - as well; Gateshead had James Winter for a month and now have both Turnbulls with them.

It shouldn't do any of them harm to be playing some first team football, even at the relatively low level of the Unibond. It's certainly going to be a lot better than kicking their heels while waiting for the next reserve team game, which is not scheduled until 9th January.

Incidentally, it seems that the cancellation of the Ressies game with Scarborough this week wasn't quite as the Official Site has let on. While the OS just says it was cancelled and will be rescheduled without saying why, the news from the Scarborough end is that it wasn't cancelled at all.... in an article in the local Scarborough paper (now available on the net here) it's been revealed that instead there was a bit of a mix-up: the game was due to start at 2pm, but Pools had for some reason thought it was an evening kickoff and so were still at the Vic when their opposite numbers were ready to kick off! The points have been awarded to the Seadogs, and Pools will presumably have to show evidence that they had been told it was a 7pm start if that decision is to be overturned and the game re-arranged. Oops!

Pools had said when Winter and Wilkinson originally headed out on loan that they were hoping to build up a relationship with the two sides, and it looks like that's what's happening with this deal. It's certainly of benefit to some of the young players: while they can impress for youth and reserve sides, playing in a competitive match is a different kettle of fish. It helped Andy Appleby force his way into the first team squad after an impressive spell at Whitby. It also benefits the clubs giving our lads some experience as well, as they get people that are effectively full-time pros without having to pay full-time wages. Everyone's a winner then!