Pools midfielder Jack Hunter talks through his experienced and turbulent National League career, which has saw everything from a pandemic to a Wembley final.

The Newcastle-born midfielder came through the ranks of his hometown team, before moving to the other side of the Tyne in 2018 and joining Gateshead.

“I joined Newcastle when I was eight or nine,” explained Hunter.

“There were a lot of good players there – the likes of Sean Longstaff, Adam Armstrong, Freddie Woodman, Dan Barlaser and Jamie Sterry.

“I really enjoyed my time there and I learned a lot. It was a bit of a shock getting released but the following year was really positive for myself.

“I went to Gateshead under Steve Watson, I spoke to him a lot during that summer and it was really exciting for me. The way he wanted to play football and what he wanted from me, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“For my first season in men’s football, a lot happened. I played a number of games and I developed a lot as a player and a person.

“The group was fantastic. I was walking into a new dressing room but it was a young squad so everyone gelled really quickly.

“We were all massive friends and a lot went against us off the pitch, which made us tighter and that togetherness showed.

“A lot went on behind the scenes but being that young, I didn’t know what to expect from men’s football and took it in my stride. Looking back now, some of the problems we faced at the time were extraordinary but they moulded me into the person I am today.

“Things like not getting paid on time, travelling to Dover on the day, having 13 players in the squad – it was difficult but that’s the closest dressing room I’ve ever seen and we pulled together.”

Hunter departed Gateshead in May 2019 alongside the bulk of their squad, however the midfielder would have to wait until mid-September before finding a new home with Blyth Spartans.

“It was a strange time in my career,” he stated.

“I had the opportunity to stay at Gateshead but I decided to leave to try and get a move higher up. Things didn’t work out and I was left without a club for a few months.

“That spell taught me a lot, I’ve learned to trust my gut feeling and go with what I know is right.

“I went to Blyth for a few months and the team was struggling so it wasn’t great. Then Covid came so again I was left without playing games.

“That gave me the chance to return to Gateshead which was an opportunity I didn’t have to think twice about.”

Hunter’s return to Gateshead came in bizarre circumstances. The National League North was decided on a points-per-game basis, with the Heed finishing inside the play-off positions.

“I used lockdown really well,” he added.

“I was the fittest I’ve ever been. The year before was tough for myself, not playing and then going part-time, so it was make or break for me. Going back to Gateshead was a massive opportunity and I was well prepared for it.

“It was a strange time, my first game since returning was a play-off game. Unfortunately we got beat by Boston in the semi-final, but that gave me a taste for what I wanted going forward.

“The season after was curtailed after 10 or 15 games, so we had a long time to prepare for 2022/23. We made a lot of quality signings – it was a team of my best friends to be honest, lads who I grew up with.

“It was a good time and we won a lot of games. It was fantastic to win a league title and an experience I’ll never forget.”

The midfielder departed following Gateshead’s National League North title win, joining National League rivals Halifax Town. For Hunter, it was a chance to take in a new experience and develop off the pitch.

“I felt like I needed a change,” he explained.

“I wanted to take on a new challenge and move out my comfort zone. It was the first time moving away from home, but it was still only a few hours away so I could still come up and visit.

“I really enjoyed it and I developed a lot from it. I had a good instinct and I learned from my previous mistakes, when you get that feeling you’ve got to go for it.

“We managed to win the FA Trophy in my first season which is something I’ll always remember. The chance to have your family watching you play at Wembley is probably the pinnacle of my career – it makes those long journeys and tough setbacks worthwhile.

“It was strange playing against my former team, with a number of lads I’d consider my best friends. Once you’re on the pitch, that goes out the window. It wasn’t the best game but we rode it out and the celebrations were excellent.”

Now, Hunter is back in the North East with Hartlepool United.

The midfielder has struggled with injury during the first half of the campaign, but has still managed 13 appearances, with a goal on his debut against Yeovil Town.

“I’m delighted to be here,” he said.

“I decided I wanted to move back home and Hartlepool is one of the biggest clubs at this level – it was an easy decision. It’s a fantastic fanbase and I was buzzing to get everything sorted.

“It’s been difficult for myself, starting the season with an injury. I’ve been quite injury-free throughout my career so that was massively frustrating but I’m managing to get over that now and hopefully I can get back to my best.

“If I’m honest, I’ve probably not felt the same since that Yeovil game on the opening day. That was a good debut, and I was really pleased to get the goal, so the aim is to get back to that.”

This interview first featured in our matchday programme against Yeovil Town on December 21.