The new era at Hartlepool United continues once again, with the club announcing a major overhaul following confirmation of their official retained list, less than two weeks after their season came to an end without a top-seven finish.
American businessman Landon Smith completed his purchase of the club on New Year’s Eve, with the announcement being revealed on the stroke of midnight, beginning 2026 in style.
Months later, Hartlepool’s inability to finish in the play-off places was confirmed, whilst manager and club icon Nicky Featherstone confirmed he would be standing down from his role at the end of the season, meaning the side are currently managerless.
On Tuesday, the rebuild seemingly continued as the club became the tenth side to confirm its retained/release list, with the full list available here.
Hartlepool’s overhaul continues as the release list is confirmed
With clubs such as FC Halifax Town and Solihull Moors, their release list numbers are relatively low – with them largely consisting of either squad options, youth players or players that ended the 2025/26 campaign out on loan.
However, Hartlepool haven’t taken a leaf out of their book – instead opting to take the ruthless approach and releasing 13 players including two players that joined the club part-way through the season and had featured on plenty of occasions.
Goalkeeper Nick Hayes arrived for an undisclosed fee from Southend United earlier this season, but hasn’t managed to extend his contract whilst playmaker Gavan Holohan has also said goodbye (again) to the club, despite joining on a free transfer in early 2026.
Club captain Tom Parkes had his release confirmed before the announcement, with the club dedicating a special post to the 34-year-old on social media. Fellow experienced-outlet Vadaine Oliver has also been let go by Hartlepool, alongside National League talisman Alex Reid who will be a free agent this summer.
The full list of released players is as follows;
- Joe Aungiers, Adam Campbell, Matty Daly, Nathan Ferguson, Sam Folarin, Nick Hayes, Gavan Holohan, Danny Johnson, Vadaine Oliver, Tom Parkes, Alex Reid, Louis Stephenson & Brad Walker
What does the 2026/27 season have in store for Hartlepool?
Earlier this week, the club announced confirmation of their season ticket prices – with an inspirational message from their owner, revealing an important six-word quote…
‘New season, new fight, new future!’
Hartlepool have a new owner on board and will start the 2026/27 season with a brand new manager and almost an entirely new first-team squad, suggesting that whilst things could backfire, it could also be the start of an exciting new chapter for the club.
Midfield maestro Jamie Miley is one of the players under contract with the club, alongside defenders Max Kouogun, Jay Benn and Reiss McNally.
In itself, there could be a suggestion that the defensive options are currently the club’s strongest area of the field heading into the summer break, with McNally in particular being an integral part of Hartlepool’s defensive displays this season.
Before fans and staff turn their attentions to the transfer window and strengthening their squad, it is likely that they will look to secure their new manager beforehand, which does potentially increase the pressure on the new arrival.
This is due to the excitement of supporters around the club following the takeover, as well as the pressures of starting a new job and having to rebuild a squad based around the style in which he wants his side to play.
Recently, journalist and Hartlepool fan Robbie Stelling appeared on the National League Lowdown podcast, revealing that he felt the club as a whole ‘should be an EFL club’ – with the 2026/27 season being their fourth campaign in the fifth tier.
Hartlepool finished the 2025/26 season in ninth, though they were 13 points off the play-off places. Defensively, Hartlepool conceded just 59 goals which was the eighth-best in the National League, but in the final third, they’d only managed 54 which was the joint-fifth worst.
If the club can get their managerial target secured, recruit positively and effectively, maintain their defensive discipline and add goals to their game – a possible play-off push is likely to be high on the cards for Hartlepool next season.
