By Albatross
June 21 2004

No sooner do you say there's nothing going on, that something happens! It's hardly a shock, but Darren Craddock has signed up at Pools - the first pro contract for the 19 year old who came through the ranks last season to feature in the Pools Defence almost a dozen times. Craddock is believed to have agreed a one year deal - his first professional contract with the club.

After being a part of the youth setup and playing regularly for the reserves, his first taste of senior football came as a substitute in the 4-0 FA Cup win over Whitby. He played well enough to start the next two league games, against Rushden and Plymouth, but his next game for Pools was as a late sub against Wycombe at the end of February. In between, he had a loan spell at Whitby - the side he made his senior debut against - and played seven times for the Unibond Premier club. Some of those games were spent as a holding player in midfield.

Although most often played at centre half for the reserves, it was however as a right back that he made an impact towards the end of the season. With Barron missing, Craddock was handed a start against Brighton - and he kept the club skipper out of the side until the final game of the season against Swindon, playing seven successive games. His performances showed enough promise to earn a permanent deal, and there were more than a few Poolies wishing he'd been on the bench for the Playoff Semi at Ashton Gate.

With Craddock signed up, only three players are still to put pen to paper. Darrell Clarke and Tony Sweeney are believed to have all but agreed their new deals, while Paul Robinson is still mulling over a six month offer. It may prove that the option of staying in the North-East will be enough to win him over - he's publicly stated he would like to stay at the club - but he remains the only real doubt.