FORMER Sunderland goalkeeper Chris Turner is set to plunder the Black Cats’ squad for Steve Bruce’s cast-offs, writes MARK DOUGLAS.
Hartlepool United’s director of sport has identified fringe men at his former club to play a part in the club’s push for promotion from League One as he continues to make rapid progress in the transfer market.
Unlike Pool’s League One rivals, Turner has been busy on the recruitment front, signing four players and making significant progress on another “three or four” that are yet to arrive.
Turner has recruited Sunderland defender Peter Hartley, Stockport winger Leon McSweeney and returning Pool forward Adam Boyd so far, and is “90%” along the way with further newcomers. Former Pool keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, currently the understudy for former Carlisle man Kieren Westwood at Coventry, is another understood to be interesting Turner.
With four players already in, it represents a concerted attempt on Turner’s part to have most of his squad settled, long before the players return for pre-season training on July 1. But Bruce’s appointment at Sunderland provides possibilities for the Pool supremo, who sees potential Football League stars in the Black Cats’ Premier League title-winning reserve team. “We’re probably about half way through our recruitment now. We’ve got three or four yet to come and we’re about 90% with them now,” he said. “The type of players we’re looking for, they have to improve the squad significantly.
“Steve looks as if he will have money to spend, which will obviously free up players from their squad who may be looking for other clubs to go to. I’ll certainly be having a conversation with Steve about some of them.”
DARLINGTON’S creditors are set to receive less than a penny in the pound. The Quakers went into administration in February owing nearly £8m.
The Company Voluntary Arrangement, which offers 0.9p for every pound owed, will be voted on at Darlington Arena on June 17. The club’s future will be in doubt unless it is approved by those owed at least 75% of the £7,798,082 debt. But with former chairman George Houghton, Darlington Football Club Holdings, Darlington Football Club Investments and mortgage holders Philip Scott and Graham Sizer expected to waive their claims, it is set to be rubber-stamped.
