Former Sunderland youngster relishes Hartlepool United chance

New signing Jake Orrell insists joining Hartlepool United was a 'no brainer'.
Washington teenager Jake Orrell settles in at Victoria Park after joining Hartlepool UnitedWashington teenager Jake Orrell settles in at Victoria Park after joining Hartlepool United
Washington teenager Jake Orrell settles in at Victoria Park after joining Hartlepool United

The 18-year-old, from Washington, yesterday put pen to paper on a one-year contract at Victoria Park.

Orrell had been doing well at Chesterfield, former Pools boss Danny Wilson handing him his League One debut at the end of last season.

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But when Craig Hignett offered him the chance to return home and join his Pools project, it was too good a chance to turn down.

“Hartlepool is a great club and a local team,” Orrell said.

“It was a no-brainer really. Most lads in my position, I think, would have jumped at the chance. I’ve spoken to the gaffer and everything sounded positive.”

Hignett has referred to Orrell – whose younger brother Lewis is on Pools’ books – as a player with “a lot of ability” and believes he can be a “dark horse” next season.

The former Sunderland Academy youngster was flattered by the comments and hopes to play himself into first-team contention.

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“Obviously I will try my best and look to progress,” said the forward.

“I will try to play my way into the first-team picture.”

Orrell explained that he enjoyed his stay at Chesterfield, where he worked under Wilson.

“He was a good manager and I think I developed a bit under him,” he said. “I had been out on loan for a few weeks at Matlock Town when I was recalled.

“Ever since that, I seemed to be involved in the first team and I’m grateful to him for my debut and I got to play a couple of times.

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“I’d played from the start early in the season in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and came on as a sub against Carlisle in the Capital One Cup. But things seemed to start moving for me when Danny was manager.

“I’m looking forward now to the challenge of trying to get into the Hartlepool team.

“I’ve heard from people that the gaffer here was a similar player to me, so I hope that can work in my favour and I can work and progress under him.

“I was brought up at Sunderland where we learned a possession game and I understand the gaffer has the same ideas.“I think that will suit me.”

Orrell will be joined by sibling Lewis at Maiden Castle after the 16-year-old midfielder joined Pools’ youth set-up.