At the end of each season, we ask fellow Trust’s for reports on the progress of LCFC players that have been loaned out to them. We start the series today in Hartlepool….
“I’m Ali Shepherd, vice chair of the Hartlepool United Supporters’ Trust and have been asked to give you thoughts on Jakub Stolarczyk (approximately 95% of Pools fans still can’t pronounce his name if I’m honest!)
Before we talk about Jakub, a little context; Hartlepool United were a shambles last year! It started with the appointment of Paul Hartley, a manager from Scotland who systematically and quickly stamped his authority on the club by sidelining good, knowledgeable, committed people and presiding over possibly the worst pre-season we’d ever had (including fielding a random Portuguese lad who was playing on an adjacent training pitch when we weren’t able to field eleven players against Hibs.) Some of his signings are amongst the worst we’ve had, although credit to the few who quickly realised they were out of their depth and voluntarily returned to Scotland!
Hartley was quickly sacked. Keith Curle came in. He was sacked. It was that kind of year. Eventually John Askey arrived and made an immediate positive impact. Two games more and we’d probably have stayed up.
So Jakub. While he played under Curle, he played most games under Askey, although he never had the most solid of defences in front of him (to put it mildly). Speaking with others, we’re in agreement he showed plenty of potential. He really seemed to care and always looked crestfallen when we conceded. Conversely, he went nuts when we scored, all of which reflected well on him. When it came to the end of the season, I don’t think anyone would lay any blame at his feet.
Jakub proved very handy in the air and personally I never had any doubts that he’d claim crosses and corners. He also pulled off a handful of remarkable saves (check out JAK THE CAT on Hartlepool United’s official twitter account, which Jakub retweeted!) All in all a capable and solid keeper, and a good bloke to boot.
Hope that’s all of interest and to the Foxes Trust and its members, keep up the good work. Trusts are the future, putting fans back at the centre of the game. Stick together next season and I’m sure you’ll be straight back up!
All the best, Ali”
The latest from the Hartlepool United Supporters Trust is available here Hartlepool Utd Supporters Trust – (hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk)
We also published a report on Jakub about his time at Dunfermline in the 21/22 season which is available here Jakub Stolarczyk Loan Report – Foxes Trust