We find out a bit more about summer signing Leon McSweeney, both on and off the pitch.

This article was first published in the Club's popular Matchday Programme 'Never Say Die'.

L is for Leicester City

"It was a great experience at Leicester. I went from Cork City to Leicester and had one and a half years there. It was a really good experience at a Premier League club and I managed to get a lot of experience while I was there and I played with some great players."

E is for Early Life

"Football was pretty much it really. Obviously I kept up my education because I knew, especially after being released by Leicester, how important it is to have something behind you. I always had one eye on education and one on football and thankfully so far the football has worked out."

O is for Off The Field

"I just spend most of my time playing snooker, pretty much that's it - my best break is 35."

N is for Nice Wheels

"I'm currently driving a Peugeot 207 which is decent enough. I'm not into my cars to be honest; as long as it gets me from A to B I don't mind."

M is for Moving To Hartlepool

"Obviously coming from Ireland to England was the biggest thing but coming here, I just had to move up the country which was not that big a deal. Searching for the right kind of place was a bit of a hassle and a bit of a mission but I'm quite settled now."

C is for Cork City

"I have had great times playing for Cork City. I've had two spells at the club - the first time it helped me build a platform to move on to Leicester City and the second gave me a platform to move back to English football and to Stockport County."

S is for Stockport County

"I loved it there, it was absolutely great there. I loved it to bits and had great success there. I have kept in touch with a lot of people there. It was a great move to come to England to a place like that, it really helped me to settle in and gave me the chance to play regular football."

W is for Wise Cracks

"I think if you do something you love and I absolutely love doing what I am doing - if you can't enjoy being a professional football, there is something wrong with you. I just approach every day with a smile on my face and if that happens to involve winding some of the players up then so be it!"

E is for Education

"When I was released from Leicester City I went to Loughborough University to study a degree for three years in Geography and Sports & Leisure Management. It was a bit of an unorthodox degree but I spent three years playing non-league while I was there and once I got my degree, I was playing professional football again."

E is for Eating Out

"Every place in Hartlepool now knows my face with the amount of times I've eaten out! I like Krimos and The Grand and pretty much anywhere else that does lunch!"

N is for Nicknames

"I always used to get just 'Macca' or 'Sweens' but they were both taken when I came to the Club so I just get Leon really."

E is for Emerald Isle influence

"In training during last season we played five-a-side and we managed a fully Irish team and I don't like to say anything but we had the stronger team! The Irish group is growing all the time and it's not just because they're Irish but they are a good bunch of lads. They bring a lot to the Club, not just ability wise but the banter and the crack."

Y is for Your Best Mate In Football?

"I'd have a few to be fair but I'd probably have to say Gary Dicker who is at Brighton now."