Hartlepool United have bolstered their forward line with the permanent signing of experienced striker Alex Reid.
The 29-year-old arrives at Victoria Park following a successful loan spell at Wealdstone and will be expected to help fill the void left by departing top scorer Mani Dieseruvwe.
Reid Adds Firepower to Grayson’s New-Look Squad
Simon Grayson has been active in the transfer market this summer, and the arrival of Reid marks a significant addition to a revamped Hartlepool side. The Birmingham-born frontman netted 17 goals in 32 appearances for Wealdstone last season, earning their Player of the Season award and playing a pivotal role in their National League survival.
Reid is no stranger to life at this level. A product of Aston Villa and Walsall’s academies, he began his senior career in Sweden with Ånge before returning to England to play non-league football. His career trajectory took him from Solihull Moors and Rushall Olympic to a professional deal at Fleetwood Town in 2017. Although he made only one senior appearance for the Cod Army, he enjoyed productive loan spells with Wrexham and Solihull.
Subsequent permanent moves included Stevenage and Stockport County, where he found regular game time and goals. Reid also featured for AFC Fylde, Ebbsfleet, Dagenham & Redbridge and Oldham Athletic, where he scored nine times in 35 appearances before joining Wealdstone twice on loan in the 2024–25 campaign.
Reid’s double stint at Grosvenor Vale yielded 20 goals, helping the Stones beat the drop on the final day and reaffirming his status as a proven National League striker.
Speaking after sealing the move, Reid said:
“I’m buzzing to be here. I know Shez [Nathan Sheron], it’s the third club I’ve been at with him. I’ve come in to score goals and get the club as high as I can in the league and win games.”
Grayson added:
“We are delighted to have brought Alex here. He’s a goal scorer, he’ll bring something different to the team in terms of his pace and his attributes. He had a fantastic season at Wealdstone last year, and I think he will be a really good addition. Hopefully, he can hit the ground running and get as many goals as he did last year for us.”
Reid is one of eight new signings at Pools this summer, alongside fellow forward Danny Johnson, who opened his account in a recent 3–0 win over Redcar Athletic. With Dieseruvwe now at Rochdale, the new duo will be expected to lead the line heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
Writer’s View
This signing makes complete sense for Hartlepool. Reid is the sort of striker who thrives when given regular minutes and responsibility, and with Pools reshaping their squad under Simon Grayson, there is a clear path for him to be the main man.
His experience across numerous National League clubs brings valuable know-how, but more importantly, his goalscoring record at Wealdstone suggests he is a player in form. If he and Johnson can strike up a partnership quickly, Pools could be genuine contenders at the top end of the division.
