By Albatross
January 14 2004

"The Sun ain't going to shine any more...." Maybe not, but the rumoured signing of Scottish Defender and Pop Star Namesake Scott Walker has been confirmed this afternoon by Hartlepool United. Walker was something of a late starter in the senior game. After signing for East Stirling at the age of 22, he stayed with the club in Scottish Division 3 unitl the end of 1998/9; he then joined 1st division St. Mirren, and played a big part in their promotion to the Scottish Premier in 99/00. He was a regular for them during their one season spell in the top division, scoring a couple of goals in games against Aberdeen, and impressed enough in Division 1 the following season to earn a move back to the Premier with Dunfermline for 2002/3.

24 appearances followed for the Pars, but he was released in September 2003 by mutual consent. After playing one game for St. Mirren, he dropped into Division 2 with Alloa, where he played twelve times until Cooper came a-calling.

With Walker's arrival, there is more competition for places at the back. Nelson and Westwood generally look a solid partnership, but we have leaked too many goals away from home - and there hasn't been a huge amount of cover for them. Barron can play there but would leave a gap to fill at right back; Jordan seems to be out of the picture; and the other options explored so far have been dropping Tinkler back - OK as a sweeper but maybe not one of two at the back - and Darren Craddock, who of course is not yet on a professional deal.

Walker didn't take part in today's reserve victory over Boston; Matty Robson and John Brackstone did though, as they fight it out for the left back spot. If we choose to go with three at the back against Tranmere then the two goals Robson scored in a 3-1 victory would make him favourite to fill the role of wing-back; however it's still a position that Cooper has admitted is causing problems. Walker has operated both in the centre and also on the left - indeed he had some success for Dunfermline as a left wingback - so will he be the next to try his luck on the left? All should be revealed at Prenton Park on Saturday.