Although the rumour mill seems to have died down a little, with the Chairman on holiday, the various Hartlepool fans’ sites seem to be more convinced than ever that Walsall are favourites to sign defender Chris Westwood when his contract expires at the end of the month, although the local press have mentioned Forest, Luton, Stockport and Rotherham also being interested in the player. Indeed, one, Poolsonline.tk, their Sports Network site, has already published their farewell to Westwood piece. So, if he is going to sign, what sort of player is he?

Name: Chris Westwood
Date of Birth: 13/2/77
Born: Dudley
Previous Club(s): Wolves, Reading, Telford
Position: Central Defender

Westwood was a member of Chris Turner’s youth team at Wolves, but, after making the initial breakthrough to the first team, he picked up a bad long term injury and was released from Molineux. He went to Reading, but made no appearances for them, before being released, still some way short of full fitness. He had a long spell at Buck’s Head trying to get his fitness back (including at one point a spell modelling kits for a friend’s business).

He then was signed for Hartlepool by Chris Turner, but they didn’t really see what Westwood was capable of until he got a full pre-season’s training behind him. He then proved to be a

“Quick centre half, reasonable in the air and solid in the tackle. His pace has got him (and Pools) out of trouble on numerous occasions, and he’s frequently the player dashing back to make a saving tackle when one of his colleagues has been beaten”.

”On his day he’s a class act at the back and has even filled in occasionally at right back”.

He’s also well known for his hairstyles, which have included George Berry and Rio Ferdinand tributes!

The Luton and Stockport links are made here:

http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/sport/football/hartlepool/news/140605.html