Gavan Holohan looks forward to a ‘special’ return to the Prestige Group Stadium, as Hartlepool United face Aldershot Town at home in the Enterprise National League on Saturday.
Speaking to the local press, Holohan emphasised his excitement at playing back in front of the crowd, and how important home form will be for the remainder of this season.
“It’s something that gives me goosebumps thinking about, I feel there might be a small bit of unfinished business.
“I‘ve pictured that moment [returning], so it’s going to be a pretty special day on Saturday.
“Nobody likes coming to play here because it is such a hostile environment, especially when we have the fans really behind us and backing us.
“I’ve watched a few of the recent games where fans really drove the team on to get the winning goal.
“You can just tell the atmosphere and energy in the crowd spurs the players on, they [the fans] will be massive for us”, Holohan said.
After departing the Club four years ago, the Irishman expressed the ‘surreal’ feeling of being back at Pools, saying:
“Once I started those conversations [with Featherstone], there was always going to be one winner.
“When I left the first time, it was with a tinge of sadness because I felt like I never really got to say goodbye in a way.
“So that was always a kind of disappointment to me, so I always had in my head that – one day – I’d love to go back.
“The affection and pull the Club has with me [made it] a pretty easy decision.
“I had some unbelievable times here, some unbelievable memories. The fans were brilliant with me, accepting me as one of their own when I first came in.
“[I’m] buzzing to see and catch up with everyone.”
Holohan brings a wealth of experience to Nicky Featherstone’s side. Following promotion to the EFL League Two with Pools in 2020/21 and again with Grimsby Town in 2022, the midfielder has made well over 100 appearances in the EFL.
“As the years go on, you get more and more savvy and more experienced with how to deal with different circumstances in games.
“I definitely think my game management and know-how has gotten better than when I was first here.
“First and foremost, [I’ll] just give my all for the Club. I still feel good, I still feel I can contribute and have a positive effect on the group.
“We’ve got other experienced lads in the group. I can hopefully just add to that and add a different face, different voice, different qualities to the team.”
Holohan also addressed the ambition at the Club, admitting to local press, “I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t have come back otherwise”. He added:
“I’m coming back here because I’m hungry. I still have that desire to achieve things and promotion is what I have my eye on.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, we need to get on a good run, win as many games as possible, and see where it takes us.
“There’s nothing I would love more than to get this Club back in the Football League.”
