Hartley switching to pool after snubbing new SAFC deal

May 27 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

PETER Hartley will become Hartlepool United’s third signing this summer after rejecting a new contract at Sunderland.

And the Hartlepool-born defender will be joined by Gary Liddle after the former Middlesbrough midfielder signed a new contract with the League One club.

Hartley made his Black Cats debut as a substitute against Leicester City on New Year’s Day 2007. But it was to be his last first-team appearance for the club.

The central defender was loaned to Chesterfield last season, playing 12 games, but has been frustrated by his lack of regular first-team football.

Although the Black Cats would be entitled to a tribunal-set fee for the 21-year-old, they are not expected to ask for one. It is understood, however, there will be a sell-on clause, should Hartley be sold in future.

He joins forwards Adam Boyd and Leon McSweeney as new signings as manager Chris Turner looks to shake up a squad which avoided relegation by a point last season. Two more arrivals are thought to be imminent, with former goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos and McSweeney’s former Stockport County team-mate Michael Rose strongly linked.

Liddle has now joined Andy Monkhouse and Michael Mackay in committing his future to the Teessiders by signing a new contract. But Turner warned he is looking for more from the 22-year-old after a disappointing 2008-09.

Liddle started the season with an impressive League Cup display against West Bromwich Albion which prompted talk of a move to the Baggies. But it tailed off and the former Middlesbrough trainee ended his third season at the club playing out of position at right-back.

“I am delighted Gary has decided to commit his future to Hartlepool United,” Turner said. “Last season, like many other players in the squad, he had a slightly disappointing season and he will be the first to admit that.

“But I know for a fact that when young players leave a so-called big club, they have a rise in fortunes and then always follow that with a tough year just around the corner because they are still learning the game and a bit of that applies to Gary.