I was delighted to see Adam Campbell score the winning goal at the weekend, his second in as many matches. Having been brought back into the fold by Nicky Featherstone, the diminutive attacker has shown signs he might be getting back to his best following what's been a torrid spell at Victoria Park so far. It was hard to believe I was watching the same player who has endured so many well-documented struggles in the North East on Saturday as Campbell produced a man of the match performance at the Shay, capped by firing home the winner with 19 minutes of normal time remaining.

 

Big things were expected of the 30-year-old when he first signed for Pools in the summer of 2024. After all, Campbell, who made his Premier League debut for Newcastle while he was still a teenager, arrived having been an important part of the Crawley side that won an unlikely promotion to League One in the 2023/24 campaign, while he'd also had a hugely successful spell at Gateshead as the Heed were crowned National League North champions in 2022. Almost from the moment of his arrival, things went wrong for the forward and it was hard to see how he'd ever turn his Pools career around. That is, until he was given another chance by Featherstone; already, there are hopes he's set to repay the interim manager's faith handsomely.

 

Personally, I was really pleased for Campbell, who has always been a pleasure to chat to and interview during my time at the Hartlepool Mail. Even when I've slammed him in my ratings or criticised him in my match reports, he's always had the good grace to come and shake my hand and have a chat. 

 

I spoke to him during last month's defeat to Carlisle when he was, literally, left out in the cold. Having been omitted from the squad, he was sat behind us in the press box and, when I went over to say hello at half time, I could see how much he was hurting and how determined he was to force his way back into contention. Like all Pools fans, I'm hoping Campbell can now become a big player for the remainder of the campaign.

 

Pools are looking to build on their recent improved form ahead of the visit of in-form Wealdstone. While the Stones, who have had a remarkable season so far, will make the trip to the North East above Pools in the National League table and unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, it's worth remembering that Sam Cox's team are still part-time and have one of the division's smallest budgets. If Pools are serious about finishing in the play-offs, Saturday's game is one they really should be winning.

 

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Pools fans for their ongoing support regarding my current ban from Victoria Park in light of some of board member John Pearson's recent comments during the latest supporters' panel - a panel which, by the way, the largest fan group, the Hartlepool United Supporters' Trust, are not allowed to attend.

 

The last few months have been hugely challenging and have taken a significant toll on my mental and physical health, but the backing of my fellow Pools supporters - as well as the support of my colleagues and bosses at the Mail - has been the one thing keeping me going. While I remain eager to establish constructive dialogue with the club in the hope of reaching a positive resolution, I maintain that I have always tried my best to be balanced despite a turbulent, fast moving and ever-changing period since I started in March 2024. 

 

It doesn't seem to me that it's in anyone's best interests to keep prolonging this situation, and I hope we can all put our egos to one side and put this latest bizarre chapter behind us before too long.

 

Thanks for reading this week's newsletter, here's hoping for another positive result for Nicky Featherstone and his side on Saturday.

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