Hartlepool United Academy

Hartlepool United Academy runs a category 4 academy based in County Durham. They focus on elite youth development to nurture young talent.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @Official_HUFCAC.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the following competitions:

• U18 Youth Alliance Cup – an EFL-organised youth tournament for Under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs competing in the EFL Youth Alliance. It follows a format similar to the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.

2026/27 Season

Scholars 2026/27

Academy Players on Loan 2026/27

Academy Players in the First Team 2026/27

International Players 2026/27

2026/27 Tournament Groupings

Season Timeline

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Alex Cross and Lead Professional Development Phase Coach Gary Liddle.

Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.

Season Timeline

July 2025

• Joe Aungiers signed his first professional contract with Hartlepool United; the 18-year-old had impressed with standout performances for the Pools Academy and during loan spells at Whitby Town and West Auckland Town.

2024/25 Season

“Fifteen new players have joined the seven second-year scholars to form the youth team for the 2024/25 season,” – Ian McGuckin, Academy Manager.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Louis Stephenson (Defender) – Blyth Spartans
• Tye Grundle (Defender) – Bishop Auckland Town; Seaham Red Star
• Charlie Berry (Midfielder) – West Auckland Town; Seaham Red Star
• Eddie Ormerod (Midfielder) – Seaham Red Star
• Joe Aungiers (Midfielder) – Whitby Town
• Alfie Steel (Forward) – Ossett United

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Louis Stephenson (Defender, #21), Charlie Berry (Midfielder, #39).

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup, Hartlepool United’s Under-18s were drawn in Group C against Under-18 sides from Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Harrogate Town, Bradford City and Huddersfield Town.

Season Timeline

October 2024

• Pools exited the FA Youth Cup, following their tie at home to Blyth Spartans AFC in the second qualifying round.

November 2024

Jack Wallace was chosen for the North of England squad to compete against the South in the final round.