Horwood - contract

By Charlie Summerbell
August 1 2010

With days to go to the big kick-off, Hartlepool United are in limbo, the team struggling to find their form, the manager struggling to strengthen his squad and the fans struggling to understand what is going on at the club. After two seasons battling against relegation from League One, it's difficult to see how 2010-11 is going to be any different. Unless the long-running saga of owners IOR looking for new investment actually bears fruit in the next few days, we could be in for a difficult nine months.
There is some good news, with boss Chris Turner at last given the all-clear to sign full-back Evan Horwood, released at the end of last season by Carlisle United.
But Turner said only a few days ago that he feels he needs up to four new players, and the signs of him being able to sign them look remote, though he does appear to be hoping to add one or all of triallists Fabian Yantorno, Paul Murray and Jon Macken.
They featured in a 1-1 friendly draw at York on Saurday, the last friendly of a distinctly unimpressive pre-season campaign in which Pools' form has varied between poor, below average and rubbish.
Turner is frustrated over his inability to sign new players and the fans are frustrated as they try to find out what is going on behind the scenes - is it a takeover, is it a cash investment, or is it all in the imagination?
But at least one person is happy - Hartlepool-born Horwood told the Mail: "I have been waiting for a while now and I'm over the moon it has happened. I can't wait to get started as a Hartlepool player.
"Putting the Hartlepool strip on has been a dream come true.
"I've always supported Hartlepool and all my mates go to the games. Now I'm playing here I'm sure all get plenty of stick off them."   
Expect that to be friendly banter - what will be directed at Turner, the team and chairman Ken Hodcroft if the season turns out as badly as some fear will be a lot more hostile.
Horwood is the only new outfield player signed during the summer so far - hardly a positive improvement for a squad that struggled all last season.