"Darren Knowles was the type of lad who would do absolutely anything to stop the ball going into the Hartlepool net." (Chris Turner, Director of Sport)

Darren Knowles joined Pools in 1997

Darren Knowles joined Pools in 1997 from Scarborough and went on to become one of the firm favourites at Victoria Park.

His whole-hearted approach to the game was something that Pools fans could identify with and when we spoke to him he revealed that he loved every minute of his time at The Vic.

"I enjoyed it, really loved it up there and the fans were brilliant," said Knowles, who is now living back in his native Sheffield.

"When I joined from Scarborough, Mick Tait brought me in on loan originally mid-season and we were in a bit of trouble at the bottom in the league.

Knowles tussles for possession in a derby clash with Darlington October 2000

"One of my first games was against Darlington - it was that memorable on where Joe Allon scored in the last minute and that game made me realise what a big Club it was and how much the fans really love their football up at Hartlepool.

"I was just one of those who wanted to give my all for the Football Club. I knew I wasn't going to play well every game - no one does - but if you give 100%, the fans appreciate that."

Knowles arrived just shortly before IOR took control of the Club and he remembers that as soon as they came in to power you could see that Pools were going places.

"Obviously when IOR took over, we had a lot of Norwegian players come over and we went over there for pre season and I could see that the Club was going in the right direction.

"With Chris Turner, we got to the play-offs a couple of times but just couldn't get that final push.

"When I joined Hartlepool, they were struggling near the bottom and to be up there at the top, pushing for promotion meant everyone was full of confidence.

"It is just a shame we couldn't do it while I was still there."

The defender challenges for the ball in the air

Knowles, who turns 36 next month, scored twice during his four-year stay at The Vic but they were both goals to savour both for the man himself and the Pools fans.

"I scored the equaliser against Scunthorpe but the one I remember most was against Darlington," he said with a laugh.

"I still don't know what I was doing in the box now! How I ended up there to score the goal I don't know! But to score that goal at Darlington, especially in front of all of the Hartlepool fans, was a dream come true really."

Knowles was a whole-hearted competitor

But he insists that he still finds time to check on the Hartlepool results and keeps a keen eye on events at the Club.

"I was going to go down to Cardiff and watch the Play-Off Final but it was against Sheffield Wednesday and that's the team I support so I didn't go in the end but I do still watch out for the results every week!

"The one thing I regret is that I haven't been back since I left but I am definitely going to come up before Christmas for a game and hopefully see a few friendly faces again.

"I never really had chance to thank the fans when I left. I would really like to take this chance to say thank you to all of the fans for making me so welcome during my time at the Club."