Last month was special for Pools stalwart Nicky Featherstone, as the midfielder surpassed Alan Goad to enter the all-time top five appearances for Hartlepool United.

Featherstone, who is approaching a decade at the Club, has made 420 appearances in the blue and white.

Only Ritchie Humphreys, Watty Moore, Antony Sweeney and Ray Thompson have featured more.

“It was a very proud achievement,” explained Featherstone.

“These sort of milestones are probably something you take more realisation of when you stop playing, but it’s still a fantastic achievement to have.

“To only have four players ahead of me in the entire history of the Club – that’s something I can take massive pride in.”

Featherstone made his senior debut back in December 2006, having impressed in the youth ranks at Hull City.

He didn’t join Hartlepool however for another eight years, spending time at the likes of Hereford United and Walsall before Paul Murray brought him to the Vic.

“I first signed at Hull City when I was eight,“ he stated.

“The dream was always to become a footballer. I spent quite a long time there and ended up signing a professional contract which was a proud moment.

“Phil Brown gave me my debut against Burnley. That was 18 years ago, so it’s been a long ride since then.

“I played a few games in the Championship, which I was really grateful for, before moving on.

“I left Walsall in 2014 – I had a few options but nothing that took my interest. I wanted to join a club that I could grow with, somewhere with potential.

“I played quite a few games in League One over a two-year stint so I just waited until an offer came in that felt right.

“Simon Weaver at Harrogate took me in during the meantime to help me get match fit. Then in October 2014, Paul Murray approached me at Pools.

“He spoke to me when he was a coach at Oldham, so we already had a decent relationship, and the structure of the Club is massive.

“Hartlepool had just been relegated from League One at the time, so we were hoping to be up there in the table.

“I originally signed on a short-term deal and the rest is history.”

Unfortunately, Featherstone’s first season at the Club was a challenge.

Murray departed the Club after just six weeks as Pools spilled into the League Two relegation zone.

Behold, The Great Escape. Featherstone featured heavily for Ronnie Moore’s side as Pools swapped places with Tranmere Rovers in the dying stages to rescue their Football League status.

“The Club is a Football League club, it always has been,” Featherstone stated.

“I’ve seen a lot at this Club – promotion, relegations, cup runs, survival escapes.

“Fighting at the top end of the table is what every footballer wants – you’re winning games and enjoying your football. Towards the bottom end is a horrible place to be, and somewhere where we probably shouldn’t have been.

“Ronnie came in and was exactly what the football club needed. He made a few good signings at the time and they elevated the squad.

“At one point, we were 11 or 12 points adrift. But then we won a few games on the bounce which took us out of the danger.

“That felt like we achieved something. It felt like we won something, because of how far away we were. I have fond memories from that year.

“With Ronnie, he just brought everyone together. He made everyone believe and have that never-say-die attitude.”

Featherstone makes it no secret that the 2020/21 season was his favourite in the blue and white. A campaign where the midfielder was instrumental in helping the Club back into the Football League, having suffered relegation in 2017.

“The feeling around the place was special,” he stated.

“That’s something we’re now trying to build now again – having everyone from the players, staff and supporters pulling in the same direction.

“That two-year period in general was massive, it showed where we had come from after suffering relegation. We had 7,500 supporters in that semi-final against Rotherham which was incredible.”

The 2024/25 season is a new proposition for Featherstone.

The former Pools skipper has been installed in a player-coach role under new manager Darren Sarll. However, the goal very much remains the same.

“We want to be challenging at the top,” he stated.

“We’ve got a manager who knows this level well and players who have the right nutrients to succeed. It’s a squad that knows how to win games of football.

“The last few months have been a great insight into both sides of the game. The gaffer has made it really easy for me to settle in with the coaching staff.

“It’s strange at times, not getting changed with the lads and sitting at the front of the bus, but I’m definitely enjoying the experience and learning more every week.

“I still feel as though I’ve got a bit to offer as a player – I joined in all of pre-season and I’m feeling really fit. I’ve played four times so far out of the opening six games, and fingers crossed I can get even more appearances under my belt.

“Hopefully we can have a really successful season and get this Club back to where it belongs.”

This interview first featured in our matchday programme against Braintree Town on August 31.