I've been hearing from a trusty contact, the same guy who told me that Hughes and Barron had been sacked days before it happened (can't tell you who but can assure you that he is close to Pools) and he's telling me that Pools are joining the race for Hayes and Yeading United captain Luke Williams and shall bid for him in January.

This Luke Williams is not to be confused with Middlesbrough's young striker Luke Williams, also. Now although this is just a rumour, it's important to take note that Pools aren't the only club in the race for him. In fact, we're one of many clubs in the Sky Bet Football League wanting to acquire his services. He was with Brendan Rodgers at Reading a few years ago and has now found his way into non-league football.

Given where we are in the country compared to where the player is (Woking, Sussex), the North-East doesn't normally attract players so it will be interesting to see if this move comes off. Especially given Cooper's attitude towards players playing non-league football, he likes to give them another crack at professional football so I for one am looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

Have a good night, lads!

What position does he play?

Midfield, looks like he can score goals as well. If he can do the same at our level he'd be a good buy. That is a big if but if this is true it would be further confirmation that what Cooper said about searching for players and watching a lot of matches was right.

the likes of that esteemed coach Michael Barron, said that if they hadn't made it through the ranks by a certain age, that's it consigned to the scrap heap

He's right of course, cos Ian Wright, Alan Shoulder, Mally Poskett, Kevin Henderson, Tommy Miller, Michael Duckworth and another cast of hundreds or maybe thousands of players were never good enough once they bombed initially, were they Mr Barron?

Colin Cooper = man of the Poolies!!!!!

PS Peterborough have had great success plucking these players from the non leagues in recent years

They have also paid a small fortune for majority of them like Boyd and Mackail-Smith.

The sort of player who has alot to prove. I cant wait until CC starts to bring in afew players with the scope he will have in Jan and more likely the summer.

He obviously likes to look in depth at players before committing to signing them. Which will only be good for us as fans and the club in the long run.

Could be worth a short deal like duckworth got, win win situation all round if he's decent we can sign him up for longer.

They have wasted loads of money on donkeys like Rene Howe and Exodous Geohagen as well.

disagree about Exodus... just for unearthing a player with that name.... that's a brilliant name!!

Aye, like Lanre Oyebanjo at York. I just want a shirt with his name on it.

Pools scout in that area of the country is Ray Parker, the guy who spotted Jack Baldwin at Faversham in Kent. I'm led to believe that he also recommended Chris Smallings to Pools when at Maidstone, but Turner in charge at the time, wasn't interested.

Is that the job he went into after he released the Ghostbusters single

Pools wanted to loan him until January and see how it develops but Hayes and Yeading weren't interested at all, Cooper enquired but Hayes wanted a fee included.

I met Ray whilst in the boxes at the Brentford game last season, seemed like a nice fella.

Was also told the Chris Smalling story at the same time by another person in the room, it went along the lines of, Tommy Miller snr went to look at him and stated he was no better than Joe Tait so wasn't required.

this is why football clubs have to get the right people in.... not people like Chris Turner because the chairman "knows" or "trusts" them.... at long, long last Pools have finally got it right with Cooper

This makes me happy, and hopefully we don't have folks like Barron, Turner, Colin West etc making a bad fist of things in future

It's Woking ,Surrey..ok