Gary Madine explains what made him drop down the leagues to sign for Hartlepool United

Gary Madine explains what made him drop down the leagues to sign for Hartlepool United, who had been training with York City.

A deal looked unlikely to be offered a deal by the club, so Hartlepool instead got his signature in the hope of strengthening their chances of promotion back to the EFL .

Minstermen boss Adam Hinshelwood said last week, per York Press: “Yeah he’s come in, but it’s more of a favour to Macca (as a favour to Tony McMahon) really.

The York manager added that it was unlikely that any contract would be put forward for the forward.

“He came in and just kept himself ticking over, he’s relatively local to the area being from the North East.

“It’s more of a favour to Macca really, it’s good that Gary can come in and train with us.

“I don’t think we’re in a position unfortunately to do anything on that front.”

They currently sit 10th in the National League with 4 points, and get set to face Tamworth on Tuesday night.

Welcome to Pools, Gary Madine! ✍️

The forward signs for the Club holding an illustrious record with 500 career appearances and five promotions 🙌

— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) August 20, 2024

Announce Madine @Official_HUFC. pic.twitter.com/oVusa1jFQa

— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) August 20, 2024

HARTLEPOOL STATEMENT:

With an impressive career to his name including five promotions, Hartlepool United are thrilled to confirm the signing of towering striker Gary Madine, subject to FA ratification.

Madine holds an illustrious record having spent 16 seasons exclusively in the top three divisions of English football with nearly 500 appearances and scoring over 100 goals.

The forward, born in the North East, shone for Carlisle United in League One as a youngster before gaining a move to Sheffield Wednesday. He spent 5 years at the Owls’ and was their top scorer in 2011/12 season as they gained promotion into the Championship.

Madine then spent three years with Bolton Wanders making over 100 appearances and adding another promotion into the Championship to his CV in 2017.

Subsequently he earned a move to Championship side Cardiff City where he went on to help the Bluebirds gain promotion into the Premier League in 2018. After appearances with Cardiff in the top-flight, he joined Sheffield United on loan and immediately supported the club to a second-place finish in the Championship, which meant back-to-back promotions into the Premier League for Madine on a personal level.

Madine spent his last four seasons at Blackpool, again making over 100 appearances and playing a key role as the club won the League One play-offs in 2021 and established itself in the Championship in seasons to follow.

The striker missed most of last season with an injury and has been training with a League One side during this pre-season.

Madine has been on the target list of Head of Football Operations Joe Monks and Manager Darren Sarll for some time now, with the aim of enhancing both the quality and experience in the squad and ultimately supporting the club with its goal to return to EFL.

Madine will wear the number 9 shirt at The Prestige Group Stadium this season.

Pools Manager Darren Sarll commented on the signing:

“Gary’s career and qualities literally speak for themselves – it is the easiest description I’ll have to provide for a player. His goals, technical ability, physicality and his location made this an important acquisition. It further shows our ambition to push on and the backing we are getting from the owner to make these signings.”

Gary, will need a measured and intelligent introduction to match play whilst he continues to evolve physically and strengthens previous injured areas. Once he is fully match-prepared, he’ll provide a service that will be a real benefit to the existing group but also our ability to retain a style of play for the entire campaign.”

“Gary’s warmth and charisma has impressed me and I’m delighted he’s chosen us when he had other Football League options. It shows that our patience in recruitment is a virtue and that we are starting to build an environment that players want to be part of.”

Gary Madine commented on his arrival saying:

“I’m really delighted to be joining Pools and I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch. I’ve been out for some time now so I’m itching to get back out there. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”

“Joe Monks reached out to me again a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to come into training. I just got a good feeling straight away. The gaffer’s really lively and was keen to get me in – it’s nice to feel wanted. I’ve settled in easily and I can’t want to get out there and score some goals.”

@ellishall_12, a PFSA Level 2 Technical Scout, PFSA Level 1 Data Analysis and Hartlepool United fan, said: Hartlepool United have completed the signing of Gary Madine. The 33 year old arrives with an array of experience across the EFL. In this thread, I will look to break down Madine’s game, analysing what he does best alongside discussing how he will fit into a Sarll team. Let’s start off with his best attributes….

Aerial ability:
All you have to do is look at Madine to guess that he would be brilliant in the air. The forward has a metamorphic frame and he uses it so well. Madine won 52% of his aerial duels in the Championship in 22/23. This is so important for Pools, firstly down to Pools looking to go direct in build up and the importance of an aerial presence up front is vital. Additionally, Sarll has previously spoken about needing a forward with a similar profile to Mani Dieseruvwe and Madine provides that with lots of similarities between their games.

Back to goal play:
As already spoken about Madine has an excellent physical profile and that translates into his game. The Gateshead born forward is a very traditional target man and his back to goal play is impressive. In 22/23 Gary totally 4 assists for Blackpool, although this may not paint the perfect picture of his all round back to goal play it still demonstrates that he can bring other players around him into the game. This is vital with Pools’ current squad with the quality surrounding the centre forward there is the opportunity for multiple players to contribute in regards to goals.

Poaching and output:
I mean it should certainly be a non-negotiable in any forward however Madine still deserves credit for his. When watching Madine play, most of his goals come from inside the 6 yard box, this is important for Pools’ forward as with the creative ability behind him the 33 year old will get a magnitude of chances especially if he is in the right position, I mean look at Mani Dieseruvwe last term scoring 23 NL goals with no where near as much creativity around him. Obviously, it is one thing being in the right positions and another scoring the goals however Gary has proven he can score goals at a high level. In 21/22 Madine scored 9 goals. Although, not ground breaking numbers, it still shows he knows where the back off the net is and with the quality difference between the National League and the Championship being massive, hopefully Gary can contribute even more in front of goal.

Experience:
No matter what league you play in, experience in a squad is key and Madine arrives with an abundance of it high up the ladder. Gary arrives having played multiple games in the Championship and League one alongside a small amount in the premier league. Madine’s experience across the EFL will be vital for Pools if this season will amount to any thing with him being important for offering guidance to the younger members of the squad.

Stylistic fit:
Although, Madine may not be the mold of a typical Sarll striker in the past, whilst at Pools Sarll has looked to have adapted his style, most likely to fit Mani D. This change in style, fits Madine with Pools mainly looking to go long in build up. Additionally, as seen in the clips although Gary may not be the typical relentless pressing forward such as an Adam Campbell, his footballing brain allows him to still contribute.

Conclusion:
Although, it may have been a long spell since Madine has last played football consistently, he is a great player. The 33 year old has spent his full career playing up the ladder and should have quality beyond this level. His profile matches what Sarll is looking for to work in the striking department with Mani D and take some burden off his shoulders. Hopefully he can fit the ground running.

HIS CAREER:

Youth
2004–2007 – Carlisle United

Senior
2007–2011 – Carlisle United – 85 games (22 goals)
2009 → Rochdale (loan) – 3 games (0 goals)
2009 → Coventry City (loan) – 9 games (0 goals)
2010 → Chesterfield (loan) – 4 games (0 goals)
2011–2015 – Sheffield Wednesday – 113 games (28 goals)
2014 → Carlisle United (loan) – 5 games (2 goals)
2014–2015 → Coventry City (loan) – 13 games (4 goals)
2015 → Blackpool (loan) – 15 games (3 goals)
2015–2018 – Bolton Wanderers – 107 games (26 goals)
2018–2020 – Cardiff City – 28 games (0 goals)
2019 → Sheffield United (loan) – 16 games (3 goals)
2020–2023 – Blackpool – 101 games (23 goals)
2024- Hartlepool United

Here’s how fans reacted as Gary Madine explains what made him drop down the leagues to sign for Hartlepool United…

@adam_garrington: Six * promotions pending

@BarryStevens75: A proper statement signing ✍️ well done pools and welcome Gary. Did he miss the deadline to make appearance tonight?

@HUFC_NWC: Yew whatttt 🥳

@joe_hpool: going up

@JWheelhouse_01: Oh go on then 😮‍💨

@JamieHall97_: Promotion pending…

@HornseyCameron: That’s ridiculous 😂🔥

@MickyBurns14: If this isn’t a statement of intent then I dont know what is.. Welcome aboard Gary.. Let’s hope you hit the ground and back of the net running NSD

@TeeGee60518810: Wow, scrap that, this may well be the signing of the window in the national league. Minutes after Moncur signs for Southend, Hartlepool do this. A forward line of Campbell, Dieseruvwe & Madine. That’s a joke of a front 3 for non league. Hartlepool should be top 3 with that.

@Tomshort_1908: pools are cooking

@richyhpool: 🥳 get in!! Top singing

@AidanBratt2002: MY NUMBER 9!!!!!!!

@MbwLdurham: No way, what a signing, get in there

@tompheasey__: That’s actually fucking sexual

@Hart1908: Absolutely astounding Business by the club Fantastic this well done all concerned. It shows huge intent on the direction we are now moving being positive and upwards ….NSD! 💙🤍

@danpatton__: Geeeeeeeet up there

@adam_garrington: League is ours!

@WayneLu33690943: Welcome to pools utp nsd

@smailes_myles: He’s on my mind 🎶