Joe gets a shot With Stanley
STANLEY have bolstered their frontline by completing the permanent signing of former Liverpool striker Joe Hardy on a two-year contract.
The Wirral-born striker began his career with Tranmere Rovers at the age of eight, before joining Manchester City five years later.
He progressed through the ranks at the Etihad Stadium and was a regular goalscorer for the club’s Under-18s, with Hardy then departing for Brentford’s B team in March 2017.
During his two-and-ahalf-year spell in West London, he grabbed an impressive 40 goals in 80 appearances and was voted the the 2018/19 Brentford B Player’s Player of the Year.
The 22-year-old then joined Liverpool in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee, before making his professional debut a month later in a 1-0 FA Cup fourth round replay win over Shrewsbury Town.
Hardy becomes Stanley’s second signing of the summer from Liverpool, with midfielder Liam Coyle having arrived at the Wham Stadium on Monday.
Reds boss John Coleman said: “Joe is a goalscorer, he gets himself in the right places at the right time and this is a good chance for him to kickstart his career.
“He had a good move from Brentford to Liverpool and it didn’t really materialise for him, but we’ve got to hope that we can give him the service and he can take them.”
Hardy said: “I’m really happy to get the deal done and getting this over the line will allow me to kick on with pre-season.
“I was so excited when I heard about the interest from Accrington and it’s been really easy to settle in, all the lads are great and I already knew a few of the lads beforehand.
“I like to score goals and find spaces in the box to get my shot off, so I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Meanwhile, two 18-year-olds have signed their first professional contract with Accrington Stanley.
Central midfielders Ben Pleavin and Oliver Patrick have both put pen to paper on one-year deals with a one-year option.
Pleavin spent around 10 years at Manchester United’s Academy and admitted it was an amazing experience.
“It was brilliant, the experiences, you don’t realise how amazing it was until you come out of it. I went to Hong Kong
‘He gets himself in the right places at the right time and this is a good chance for him to kickstart his career’
twice, Spain, Germany, Italy, France all over really.
“I was released at 16 which was difficult and then I signed a scholarship at Blackburn Rovers and spent two years there and learnt a lot.
“It was a tough two years but I feel like it made me toughen up as it wasn’t all smooth.
“I got released and came on trial at Accrington and I feel like I have shown what I can do. I had to be brave and confident, coming to train with the first team as a trialist but I feel like I stood my ground and got some respect from it.
“I am a central midfielder, a deep line midfielder. I love a tackle, I love to work hard, I just love having the ball.
“I am very strategic, I set myself small goals to hit my big goals and my big goal at the moment is to play for Accrington Stan
ley’s first team, to make my debut. Here, there is a pathway to the first team, the gaffer is willing to take chances on young players if they can earn them.
“Having a professional contract is something I have always dreamed off, something I have worked at for years. I feel lucky but feel like I have earned it.”
Patrick, from Oldham, is also a central midfielder and said: “I started off around 11 at Bury FC and was there until they the club folded. I started my scholarship there. I spent two years at Rochdale and I have just signed for Accrington Stanley.
“I am a box-to-box midfielder, I like to try and win the ball back and get some goals, I have a decent strike.
“It’s a big opportunity for me, I hope to make appearances for the Under 23s and hopefully push for the first team.
“Training with the first team is really good and it’s a big step up from youth football.”
Meanwhile, Stanley Season Tickets for the Farleys Solicitors Stand (Clayton End Standing) went on sale on Monday.
A clubs spokesman said: “We are already getting a large volume of phone calls enquiring about Season Ticket sales, please be patient and call back if the lines are busy or email info@accringtonstanley.co.uk with your details and we will get back to you.
“If you are calling in person with a completed Season Ticket application form, please go straight to the retail shop and we will process your application.
“If you are calling in person without a completed application form, please make your way to the back of the Farleys Solicitors Stand (Clayton End) via the gate close to the Memorial Garden where we will be on hand to help you complete your form to take to the retail shop to process.
“Please pay by credit/ debit card whenever possible. We will take cash payments as long as you bring the exact amount.”
The ticket office is open 10am while 4pm today (Friday).