Hartlepool-born defender Peter Hartley joined his home town club from Sunderland in the summer of 2009. He spent an uncomfortable first season at left back before establishing himself in his preferred position of centre-half, usually alongside Sam Collins. Neale Cooper appointed him team captain during in October 2012 and he kept the armband under John Hughes, but that individual honour did little to add shine to what was a disappointing season for player and club alike.Colin Cooper was appointed manager in the summer of 2013 as Pools looked to recover from the relegation of the previous season. Cooper replaced Hartley as captain with Antony Sweeney, and there was further disappointment for the player when he began the new season back in his old left back role, with the centre half spots being taken by Collins and new loan recruit Christian Burgess.With Jack Baldwin also more than capable of playing centre half, Pools accepted a bid from League One club Stevenage, and Hartley headed south after just one league game of the 2013/14 season, bringing his four year stay at Pools to a close.