Hartlepool College of Further Education has valued its partnership with Hartlepool United FC over the past five years. This collaboration between two of the town’s anchor institutions has aimed to contribute to the betterment of Hartlepool.
The College is proud of the role it has played in developing young players. Many of these have had first team experience such as Max Storey, Louis Stephenson, Campbell Darcy, Alfie Steel and, this season, Kian Foreman.
A number have become England schoolboys’ internationals, the latest being Jack Wallace since the turn of the year. There are also notable examples of student players progressing into higher education or employment.
Since the partnership was formed in August 2020 to ensure the continuation of the youth team, the College has been proud to play a wider role with the Club. This has included assisting with non-player recruitment and a series of commercial and strategic initiatives that have benefitted the community.
The College was privileged to be viewed as a key partner having enjoyed regular and positive feedback from Hartlepool United, which indicated the relationship was strong and secure.
The College – presently only eight months into a two-year agreement - appreciates things have been tough for the club since being relegated from the Football League in 2022/23.
As a key strategic partner, the College has helped to attract sponsors and always looked to help where possible. It is also worth noting that the College has never charged any player for securing a place on the programme.
The Club’s recent decision to abruptly move away from this long-standing relationship, with minimal notice and without clear reasons, is disappointing. Prior communication had consistently conveyed positive feedback.
Current learners on the programme can be assured that their education will not be affected, and those with any questions about the recent developments can arrange individual meetings to discuss what will happen going forward, as they can remain on the programme and continue to study at the College for the next academic year.
The subsequent disclosure that the Club will be partnering with a training provider headquartered in Sunderland is particularly surprising. The College views this as a setback for Hartlepool for several reasons.
Nevertheless, Hartlepool College of Further Education extends its best wishes to Hartlepool United Football Club for the challenges it will face on and off the field in the future, and especially to the young players the programme has helped to develop.
