Departure: Hartlepool United defender  joins Northern Premier League side on loan

Hartlepool United defender Campbell Darcy has joined Northern Premier League side Whitby Town on loan until January. The 18-year-old made his debut for Whitby on Tuesday night, starting in a 2-0 victory over Matlock, which marked the club’s first points of the new season.

Darcy first appeared for Hartlepool in January 2023, coming off the bench in a 3-0 FA Cup loss to Stoke City. He later impressed with two strong performances toward the end of last season. The versatile defender, capable of playing as a right-back or center-half, was set to make his first start on the final day of last season against Dorking but missed out due to an ankle injury sustained in training. After a challenging summer where he struggled with fitness, Darcy returned as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest B two weeks ago.

Darcy joins a Whitby team that includes several former Hartlepool players. Gary Liddle, who made 363 appearances across three separate spells with Hartlepool and was part of the promotion-winning squad under Dave Challinor, played midweek and also serves as Whitby’s assistant manager. Additionally, Connor Smith, Lewis Hawkins, and Nathan Thomas all featured in the starting lineup.

Darcy has shown significant potential during his time at Hartlepool, progressing through the club’s highly-regarded academy. However, with Hartlepool currently well-covered at both center-half and right-back, his immediate first-team opportunities were likely to be limited. The club retains the option to recall him if needed, making this loan move to a team with strong ties to Hartlepool a sensible decision for all parties involved.

“This loan move gives Campbell the chance to gain regular senior football, which is crucial for his development,” said head of football operations Joe Monks. “We have a good relationship with Whitby—Gary Liddle is their assistant manager and will be instrumental in Campbell’s development as a defender.”

“Like Max Storey, Campbell is in his first year as a professional footballer. Playing for Whitby allows him to put into practice what he’s learned from Darren’s sessions and his top-quality academy training under Ian McGuckin. We’ll be closely monitoring his progress, and he can be recalled at any time if needed.”

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