Immediate Impact
Lee Clark’s first match in charge of Hartlepool United was a 2-0 home win over Barrow. The following week, 24-year-old winger Corey McKeown came off the bench and headed home the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Aldershot Town. The goal, a clean finish from a tight angle, marked McKeown’s debut for the club and earned him immediate praise from the manager.
A Familiar Face
McKeown’s path to Pools began at Spennymoor Town, where he played under Clark during the early stages of the manager’s career at Blyth Spartans. Clark handed the winger his first-team debut at Croft Park when he took over the club, and the two have since developed a strong working relationship.
Clark’s Praise
Speaking at the club’s Maiden Castle training base, Clark said: “It sounds like I’m a transfer guru, but I just knew I could work with him. At such a young age I saw the talent and kept an eye on his career. I saw a lot of footage from Spennymoor last year and felt there was something really there.” He added, “There is no limit to the ceiling you put on him because he responds to every challenge he’s had.”
Clark continued, “He’s an unbelievably talented player, a great kid. I expected the impact he’s made. He’s probably surprised a lot of the players as well.” He highlighted McKeown’s attitude, noting the winger “took a huge risk personally, gave up a job and semi-professional football to test himself in full-time football.”
Looking Ahead
With the next fixture set for Saturday afternoon away to Sutton United, Clark expressed confidence that McKeown would continue to develop. “He’s just going to get better and better with the experiences he gains over the next few months,” he said.
The Takeaway
McKeown’s debut goal and overall performance have already earned him a place in the starting lineup for the upcoming match. The 24-year-old’s willingness to leave a stable job and step up to full-time football has paid dividends for Hartlepool United, and the manager’s endorsement signals a bright future for the young winger.
