Hartlepool United boss John Askey does not know whether Nicky Featherstone will return to the club for a tenth consecutive season, writes Joe Ramage of the Hartlepool Mail.
The 34-year-old has not responded to the Pools’ recent contract offer following their relegation back to the National League, and is currently a free agent. This has led to many questions regarding Featherstone’s future at Hartlepool. The club captain has played a key role in the club’s 22/23 campaign, starting 31 of the 38 League Two games he was availabl. But the experienced midfielder was unable to save the club despite Pools enjoying a slight upturn in form under new manager John Askey.
Who is Nicky Featherstone?
Born in Goole, Humberside, Featherstone came through the academy at Hull City and he made his first-team debut as a substitute against Burnley on the 30th December 2006.
Loan spells at North Ferriby United, Grimsby Town and Hereford United followed for the central midfielder, who made eight appearances in total for Hull before he departed for Hereford in a permanent deal in January 2011 following his initial loan spell at Edgar Street.
He made 58 appearances in total for the club before joining Walsall at the end of the 2011-12 season following Hereford’s relegation and having failed to respond to the club’s contract offer.
Having been successful on trial with the Saddlers, Featherstone signed and went on to make 55 appearances for the club before departing for Scunthorpe.
However, his time with the Iron was very short. joining on a week-to-week deal on the 19th August 2014, before his contract was cancelled on the 2nd September 2014. He then moved to Harrogate but only made four appearances for them during his time there.
He then joined Hartlepool United on the 31st October 2014, and has played for them ever since, stepping up to become club captain and getting to eighth in the clubs all-time appearances list with 380 appearances in total for the Pools since his arrival.
What’s Been Said?
Following Hartlepool’s 2-1 friendly victory over Middlesbrough, Askey was not sure whether Featherstone would be rejoining the club.
“I’d be disappointed if he went, but I also understand if he wanted to move on as well. So we’ll just have to see what happens,” he told The Mail.
“He’s a massive part of the club, not only on the football field but he does a lot of work in and around that dressing room as well.
“If he was to walk away from the football club, for one reason or another, he would be a massive miss.”
Writer’s View
Following Hartlepool’s relegation, Nicky Featherstone said that he would be open to staying at the club, to make it 10 seasons at the club he joined in 2014 following difficult spells at both Scunthorpe United and Harrogate Town. However, his failure to respond to the Pools’ contract offer is very similar to when he left Hereford United for Walsall back in 2012, where he failed to respond to Hereford’s contract that was put on the table for him.
Regardless whether he stays or leaves, he can still be regarded a Hartlepool United legend.
