Young centre half Jack Baldwin spent a couple of weeks on trial at Pools in the summer of 2011. He had been plying his trade at his local Ryman League side Faversham Town but had already attracted the interest of Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler. The Gills boss was planning to offer the youngster a deal if Pools showed an interest, so Mick Wadsworth acted quickly after Baldwin impressed in a pre-season friendly at Blyth, with the defender signing his first pro-contract at Pools just two days later. Baldwin was one of the few bright spots of a desperately disappointing relegation season in 2012/13. He was very capable performer in midfield, but it was at centre half where he truly shone, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet as Colin Cooper set about rebuilding in a young side in 2013/14. A booking at Wimbledon in late January 2014 earned him a suspension and, just when Pools fans were contemplating the prospect of doing without his services for two games, news filtered through that they would have to get used to not having him in the side. Baldwin's performances had not gone unnoticed, and promotion-chasing League One club Peterborough United secured his transfer to London Road with a bid in the region of £500,000.