Hartlepool United have announced the signing of winger Jermaine Francis for an undisclosed fee from Barnet, as per the club’s official website.
A Disappointing Spell In North London
Francis had been admired by the Barnet coaching staff since his stellar 2022/23 season in which he scored 18 times in 43 games for Hashtag United in the seventh tier.
After a failed trial spell at the Hive in the summer of 2023 he joined National League South side Chelmsford City. The winger scored nine times in 42 league appearances for the Clarets as they finished in second place but failed to gain promotion via the playoffs.
This successful season was enough to earn him a move into full-time football with the Bees last season, but his spell in North London did not quite go to plan.
Francis made just five league appearances, totalling 17 minutes, for Dean Brennan’s side as he spent most of the season out on loan.
His spell at fellow National League side Braintree Town was very successful as he scored eight goals in just 29 league games, playing a crucial part in keeping the Iron away from the relegation zone.
The winger was recalled just before the end of the season to make up the numbers on the bench as the Bees suffered from a flurry of injuries.
Why Do Hartlepool Want Him?
The Pools are currently lacking attacking dynamism following the departures of Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, Gary Madine and Anthony Mancini, though Mancini in particular did not start many games last season.
Reyes Cleary is perhaps the player that Francis will be the most direct replacement for. Cleary spent the final few months of last season on loan at the Suit Direct Stadium, where he scored six times in 20 times, but he has since joined League One side Barnsley on a permanent basis.
Upon signing the 23-year-old, Hartlepool manager Simon Grayson said the following:
“I’m really pleased to have beaten off competition to sign Jermaine. He’s a versatile young player who we feel will only improve and also add a different dimension to the squad, with being able to play in any attacking role. Last season he had a really successful spell at Braintree as well as representing the Grenada National Team, so we’re delighted to have him on board.”
Writer’s View
Like Joe Grimwood and Finley Wilkinson, Francis is one of Dean Brennan’s ‘project players’ who has been disadvantaged by the Bees winning promotion to the EFL.
League Two registration rules are much stricter than registration rules in the National League as Barnet are only allowed to register 21 outfield players over the age of 21.
Brennan cannot afford to take a chance on a young and inexperienced player like Francis in such a crucial season for the Bees and he was placed on the transfer list when Barnet published their retained list. Receiving another fee for a player will provide a nice boost to Brennan’s budget.
As for Hartlepool, they have secured a high-quality yet young attacker who has already proven himself in the National League. Francis is versatile, hardworking and has an excellent mentality which is exactly what the Pools needed.
They must now bring in some more firepower to complement the Grenada international.
