Pools boss Dave Challinor has added to his firepower ahead
of the National League run-in with the arrival of front man Lorne Bickley from
The 22-year-old striker has spent the last four years
playing in America where he was prolific in front of goal for Wilmington
University in Delaware.Last term, Bickley broke a long-standing scoring record when
he fired over 20 goals during their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
campaign.“We're really pleased to have Lorne here,” said boss DaveChallinor.
“Joe (Parkinson) has a contact over In Jersey and Lorne was
a player who had been flagged up to us because of his performance there and
when he was playing in the States.“We brought him over a few weeks ago to have a look and he
did well so we've done something until the end of the season to give us a
chance to have an extended look and with a view to a longer deal.“The good thing is that we can get him registered straight
away because Jersey Bulls have been superb in the way they've worked with us
over bringing Lorne over, which is greatly appreciated.That now gives us the opportunity to get a
behind-closed-doors game organised for him to play in and also some of the
other lads in our squad who need it too.“It's a positive addition to the squad in a forward area and it's an opportunity for him to see how he enjoys it here and for us to have a look but, certainly from what we've seen so far, there is a lot of potential.”
Bickley has been handed squad number 27 at Victoria Park.