Hartlepool United manager Darren Sarll is aiming to strengthen the squad with signings from the Football League during the summer transfer window. The club is reportedly working on a deal for former Blackpool striker Gary Madine, who has been a free agent since leaving the Seasiders in the summer of 2023.
Following a 12th-place finish in the National League and a tumultuous 2023/24 season with three different managers at the helm, Sarll, the former Yeovil Town manager, started the new campaign with a 1-0 victory against his previous club. Despite the positive start, the team remains active in the transfer market to further bolster their squad.
Gary Madine’s Impressive 15-Year Career in the Football League
The 33-year-old Gary Madine has come a long way since making his breakthrough at Carlisle United in 2007. Over his career, he has represented clubs like Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers, and Coventry City. Known for his strong performances in the FA Cup, Madine has scored ten goals and provided an assist in just 12 appearances, including four goals during Blackpool’s run to the fourth round in the 2020/21 season.
Madine played a crucial role in Blackpool’s promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs in 2020/21, featuring in 24 league games that season. His most recent appearances were in the Championship with Blackpool. However, having been out of the game since the summer of 2023, Madine may need to drop down a level or two to regain his match fitness.
Madine also has experience in the Premier League, having made a few appearances for Cardiff City, and has accumulated over 200 matches in both the Championship and League One, scoring 91 league goals and providing 41 assists. He could still be an asset in the National League, especially for Hartlepool United, who currently rely heavily on Emmanuel Dieseruvwe for goals.
Dieseruvwe, 29, was the team’s top scorer in the National League last season with 23 goals, supported by winger Joe Grey, who contributed 13 goals. However, there was a significant decline in goal-scoring outside of these two players. Given this, it would be prudent for Darren Sarll to strengthen the forward line further to ensure the team remains competitive even if their key attackers are sidelined for an extended period.
According to Rob Law of the BBC, Hartlepool United are actively pursuing a deal for Gary Madine, though they face competition from at least two other clubs interested in the forward. Despite some off-field challenges throughout his career, Madine has consistently made significant contributions to nearly every team he has played for.
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