Michael Proctor

Sunderland-born forward Michael Proctor spent the early years of his career at his home town club. In his first few seasons he struggled to hold down a first team place and ended up playing most of his regular football on loan at other clubs. He scored at Victoria Park for Halifax Town in 2001 and, in the following season, finished up as top scorer at York City. A spell at Bradford City followed before he finally got a run in the Sunderland first team, scoring the winning goal against Liverpool in December 2002. Unfortunately Sunderland picked up just 2 points from the remaining 20 games that season and Proctor had a personal nightmare in the home defeat against Charlton, scoring two of his side`s three own goals.

The following season saw Proctor finally leave Sunderland when he joined Rotherham United in a swap deal for Darren Byfield. Proctor was initally a success at Millmoor but struggled badly the next season as the Millers were relegated. Martin Scott, who had actually played alongside Proctor at Sunderland, brought the striker to Victoria Park in the summer of 2005.

Proctor initially endeared himself to the Pools supporters by coming off the bench to score twice against Darlington in a League Cup tie. Unfortunately that was as good as it got, and Proctor was released a year later having added just five goals to that initial brace.