As usual, the 'word on the street' is off beam, if this interview with Robbie Stelling after the Dorking game is anything to go by:

https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/ ... ek-4599792

He's not about to retire if he can help it and would like one more season with Pools. Whether he gets another contract offer - and likes it any better than the one he got offered last close season - remains to be seen.

I'm pretty sure I can hold my breath till I know one way or t'other

Can’t we meet him halfway and have him stuffed and mounted…?

Phillis likes a few old heads in his teams.

Errrr...but I thought Mr Billy said "news on the grapevine" was that Capt Fantastic was retiring??
And we all know Mr Billy knows what he's talking about... doesn't he??
After all he has all those contacts inside the club.
And is always telling us that he gets all his stuff from the "horses mouth" like.
You know.. I really don't know who or what to believe anymore tbh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nYxcmPu2RE

He sounded keen on the radio and advertising he had started every game
Since he came back….oh we know Nicky that’s the problem !

As I have said before nothing against him but he’s not good enough to build a midfield and most of our style of play around which is what we would have to do, him and Cooke should be thanked and let go

Nicky...listen.
Whatever you do when you have your chat with KP tomorrow,
Please please don't retire.
You have another season left in you I'm totally sure about that.
Lets give it one more try.
Could be a good one next time round with KP.
I had a dream seeing you leading us out at Wembley next year.
That's the time to retire mate.
It's written in the stars... what a way to go out eh?
You deserve it.
We are worth one more try... just one more.
Please don't give up on us Xavi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8APrYU2Gs

How long have you had him on your Agency books, we need to know.

Well if I was manager I would 100% give him another year. Maybe duel role of player coach. I will never understand anyone wanting a player of his experience to simply go away or retire. It will not cost much to keep him here, his heart is in the club thats for sure. If he stayed and never played 90 minutes ever again I would still sign him, and use that invaluable experience around the training ground and the dressing room. The good news is KP totally understands this and will resign him.

If its simply for his experience then why? He's an habitual loser can we not get someone who's experienced but had a bit more success in his career? Maybe, just maybe, he's been an influencer in our mostly non existent midfield in his 10 years??
Let's see if KP wants to keep him regardless of how much the player wants to stay.

KP still not signed a contract!.
Wudent be surprised if his wage n budget are a set combined amount.
Average wage. Average budget.
Good wage. Poor budget.
Poor wage. Good budget with promotion budget.
As for NF the budget must be shit if he's given an opportunity to stay.
Unless his job is to short pass the ball to the best 2 wingers ever employed at Pools.

Lots of ifs n maybes.
UTP.

Meant promotion Bonus.

I knew what you meant… .

Honestly you would think we win every week the way fans clammer about featherstone. Not one club has come in for him in 9 years at pools. Featherstone has played a large riole in the midfield been overun for years. He had two great seasons under Challinor and then back to bang average of playing it safe or backwards. Imagine if we went out and got a midfielder who could tackle score goals and create things.

i have stood up for him in the past on numerous occasions but like every person who has kicked a ball they play their last game. for me the last month or so has shown his time is up at this level and looks to be struggling getting around the pitch at times. thanks for all your efforts nicky, its time to say goodbye.

Last time there were grown men crying on the terraces.
Surely we can't go through all this again.
Or can we?

@kate_hufc: Through the good times & the bad times - you’ve always been there, despite the constant criticism - a true professional. Thanks for the memories, thanks for Bristol. Thanks for everything Feath. Always a Poolie
@adamdav_1998: One of the most underrated, disrespected Hartlepool United players there could ever be. Thank you for everything Fevs
@MichaelDriver24: Nothing but good luck and best wishes to one of the legends of HUFC. All the best Nicky Featherstone.
@HufcHarry: Great servant to the club through both the good and the bad. Underrated and underappreciated by many for years but will ultimately go down as a club legend. All the best Nicky
@stublackett: Best of luck to Featherstone wherever he ends up. Feel he'd have been handy to have around for at least another year
@MattyGrocott_: Undoubtedly a legend at this club. Stuck with us when things fell apart and we dropped into non league, gave absolutely everything to get us back. Took a lot of unwarranted stick but technically excellent and a real leader. Will be a brilliant addition for whoever signs him up
@ShinPadPL: Featherstone has been one of the most consistent and best players at the club during a dark decade in the club's history. He was constantly underrated because he made football look so easy, and only became properly appreciated under Challinor. I wish him all the best.
@LukeHickman16: Pools Legend 110%, quite surprised as I thought he would have been great use this season - nevertheless most of my Pools memories are when he’s been around. A great servant for the club through thick and thin
@danpatton__: Been here through thick and thin, spent nearly half my life watching this man play for Pools. Club legend. Love you Nicky
@Ryannx97: It’s a shame that a player like Featherstone will only be appreciated when he’s gone. Going to be a huge miss this season.
@chris_cott16: Club legend for sure. What a player and character he was for our team
@w_procter18: Thank you feaths all the best
@thebaines: Should have had another year. Shame he hasn't bring up his testimonial year. He's had ups and downs but I think he's been integral in moments - especially promotion from the National League. Thank you Nicky.
@Elwick123: An outstanding player and leader. Thank you for everything Nicky
@jordrich97: Unbelievable service and somebody who will be a big miss in the dressing room this season.
https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/ ... it-4236545

In your mind maybe. What sort of wage do you think Challinor was on when he came to Pools in the NL? He was never the cheap option.

Now can we have your mind version then.
Can ya manage that!

If a high wage for KP means we lose significant amounts of the budget we are in BIG trouble.
I imagine he’s already signed we’re just not announcing it for whatever reason

Till someone produces evidence of KP’s wages, I ‘d worry more about the price of petrol.
Supposition is no proof of anything.

Er, where’s the negative comments…to be balanced….although negative comments are usually the silent comments we never really hear …. to avoid sounding churlish…..but still hold.

Deserves a player / coach role. Testimonial for sure !

Aslong as we replace Wallace and build a good midfield around Mancini then Feaths can do what he wants with regards to being a hartlepool player. Think a nice sub / cup role would be good for him.

I think KP will be on decent money and not get any less backing than Chally did last time we went up. Happy?

I don’t want to sound disrespectful or churlish, but the money might be better spent on a new squad player …money for coaching roles for twilight zone canny players is better used for new blood.

Thank you

The midfield general is loyal to the club,yeah righty,how many times did he stall on a new contract when he was offered reduced terms,only signed cos no one else wanted him
A legend? Jeez,the likes of Brian Honour will be laughing their heads of at that
And being in a coaching role at the club doesn’t bear thinking about.

Have you ever had a pay cut and stayed for another year

The fact that he couldn't find another club after turning our offer says it all for me. Not good enough now, even his good games which are few and far between are not good enough for this level.
Midfield controls games for good teams, we need fitter stronger at this level.

Wonder when the club is going to announce the departure of the Club Captain.
Seems like they are dragging their feet or tWaddle has not told them yet.

Wait for it.
Fridays the day.
Xavi to stay.

How dare you Snowy.
We finished 12th in division 5 and this Iaxa fella was Man of the Match in every game.
What a time to be a Poolie eh.

I double dog do dare kev

no matter what anyone thinks of him as a player we need a coach to coach and not give the role to someone because of their length of time they have been at the club. unless they are seriously thinking of continuing in the game as a coach and taking their badges already. its totally ameteur if the club went down that line if he isn,t doing that already.

Take a bow Nostradamus

or the announcement of him being the player manager for next season with a ten pence rise for doing the job.

Well at least that's not happening - at least not for the next couple of hours I'd expect.

Retained list probably done on accepted wages now rather than skill or footballing ability or merit.Could be a Lifeline for some of these losers out of contract.
New manager ain't been here long enough to pass his own judgement.
A strange situation for sure but this is Pools for ya under this regime.

Surely you meant…..
‘Fridays the day,
Phillips on his way’

All we got off you was a Nuremberg rant.

Interesting quotes from the new manager.

" If you can't run and you can't tackle you can't play for me".

"I don't like to see lots of possession with passes back to the keeper"

"I like to play with athleticism and intensity with fast starts"

Will he see Fev as fitting in or not?

No

That was also Askeys thing. It all goes tits whenn they come to Pools though.

That sounds like he's history.
This might upset his no. Fan

If ya replying matey. Can ya keep it civilised with out the usual false accusations.
Thanks in advance .
Nice to be nice.

If this bloke ends up on Raj’s landfill we may as well just wait at home till the message gets through, but I genuinely want to see what our new manager can do.
Rubicon time.

Don't remember Askey saying anything like that but I may be wrong? Also he did let Fev go before the phoenix like return.

Looks and sounds like a polar opposite to the nice guy JA is.

think our new new appointment is the death knell for featherstone now. the total opposite to the sarll philosophy.

It definitely looks that way Accy

Maybe Askey was too ‘nice’.

All talk at the min but if he bins feather and Cooke I’ll start to have to say good decision Raj

If Phillips and Feaths both leave in the same week I just hope someone checks on twaddle poor guy will be crying into his keyboard for days

I'd imagine one will be told he's not required and the other will tell the club he's not staying.
Don't think either fit the criteria for being able to run and tackle, come to think of it they don't fit either the run or the tackle bit do they.

As I said talk is cheap but sounds like sarll idea of what is needed makes sense especially in midfield