For Charlie Penman, Hartlepool United offered everything he was looking for.
The 19-year-old defender has arrived at Victoria Park after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion, convinced the Club’s ambition and pathway into senior football made it the ideal destination for the next stage of his career.
Having put pen to paper on a one-year deal, Penman is excited to get started in blue and white.
“I’m buzzing to be here.
“Obviously the project they’ve got going on this season is very attractive as a young footballer. You know you’ll get games and the way the club wants to get back to the Football League is something I want to be a part of.”
Despite still being only 19, Penman arrives with experience of both Premier League academy football and the National League, something he believes has prepared him well for the challenge ahead.
“I’ve been at Brighton for five years on the south coast and last season I was on loan in the National League with Aldershot.
“I learned some great lessons there and I’m ready to take those learnings into this season and show the fans what I can do.”
Although his football education came at Brighton, Penman says it was the conversations with Lee Clark, Chris Maxwell and Chris Beech that convinced him Victoria Park was the right place to continue his development.
“Originally being from Blackburn, it’s about two hours from me, but as soon as Lee, Maxie and Chris Beech got in contact with me, I knew the love was there straight away.
“It was definitely something I wanted to be a part of.”
The Club’s ambition to return to the Football League also played a major role in his decision.
“Growing up, I’ve always known Hartlepool to be a Football League team.
“I could tell from all the calls I’ve had with them that they’re so desperate to get the club back to where it belongs and I want to be a part of that success.”
Penman is now looking forward to pulling on a Pools shirt in front of the Victoria Park faithful for the first time.
“I’m so excited.
“I know there’s been a rise in the season ticket numbers for this season and I can’t wait for the fans to get behind us. We’ll show them what we can do.”
Standing at approximately 6ft 6in and naturally left-footed, Penman believes he can bring both defensive strength and composure in possession to Lee Clark’s side.
“I think being a left-footed centre-half is quite rare.
“I’d say I’m very good on the ball and I think with my qualities I can decide games.”
