English footballer
James Alexander Poole (born 20 March 1990) is an English footballer. He is primarily a striker but can also play left-wing and as an attacking midfielder. Since 2015 he has worked for City Football Group as a scout, but has combined this role with appearing for a series of non-league sides at the same time.
Playing career
Manchester City
After joining Manchester City's academy from Macclesfield Town's center of excellence for a small fee, he went on to be part of the Manchester City FA Youth Cup winning side in 2007–08 which beat Chelsea[3] and signed a new one-year contract in March 2010.[3]
Having joined Bury on loan on 25 March 2010 until the end of the 2009–10 season,[4] he made his debut on 27 March in a Football League match against Aldershot,[1] going on to make 9 appearances for the club, before being sent-off in the last league match of the season.[1]
Hartlepool
On 13 October Poole joined Hartlepool United on a one-month loan deal,[5] which was later extended by a month. Poole made 6 appearances at Hartlepool, scoring his first goal in senior football in the League 1 game against Brighton & Hove Albion.[6] In December 2010, Poole returned to his parent club, Manchester City.
On 13 May 2011, Poole made a permanent move to Hartlepool for the 2011/12 season, signing a two-year contract. He stated in the Hartlepool Mail newspaper that he wanted to sign even more when he saw experienced midfielder Nolberto Solano was signing on the same day.[7]
He scored a wonder goal on his first permanent game for Hartlepool away to MK Dons in a 2–2 draw.[8] James scored two goals in his fifth league game against Rochdale which saw him score a 20-yard volley in a 3–1 win to give Hartlepool their first win of the season after four consecutive draws.[9]
After a few appearances on the bench, Poole returned to the Hartlepool United team and scored 2 away to Chesterfield. His first, a spectacular left-footed strike made the scores 2–2 and his second proved to be Hartlepool's winner, a close range header in the second half.
Poole won Hartlepool's Goal of the Season award for 2012–13 for his goal in a 2–1 win against Notts County in February 2013, with Poole saying: "I think I would have to say it's probably the best goal I've ever scored. It might not look the best because it doesn't fly in to the top corner from thirty-five yards or anything, but technically I was really pleased with the goal".[10] This goal also made national headlines after the two Hartlepool goalscorers were named Hartley and Poole.[11] The goal was nominated for the Football League's Goal of the Year at the 2014 Football League Awards[12] but was unsuccessful as Franck Moussa won the award.
Poole signed a new contract with Hartlepool in 2013.[13] He began the 2013–14 season under new boss Colin Cooper playing in a midfield role but lost his place in a CAM position to Luke Williams.
Poole left the club in July 2014 turning down a new contract.[12]
Bury
Poole went on trial with Melbourne City in pre-season but signed for Bury on non-contract terms in August 2014.[14]
Poole joined Conference side Dover Athletic on loan in November 2014.
Semi-professional
In September 2015 he joined Salford City.
In May 2017 he joined Altrincham and earned an Evo Stik League winners' medal in his first season. In 2019, he spent a month on loan at Hyde United, making four appearances before returning to Altrincham.[15]
After moving to Australia, Poole signed for Preston Lions in 2019.
Off-field career
After leaving Bury, Poole began working for City Football Group, owners of previous club Manchester City, in a scouting role.[16] While there he combined his duties with playing for several non-league sides.
In June 2019 he moved to Australia to head up the Australian branch of CFG's Scouting and Recruitment department, based at Melbourne City FC.[17]
References
External links
