With Pools in with an outside chance of making the 1987/88 playoffs, manager John Bird brought in winger Russell Doig from Leeds United for a five figure fee. Unfortunately, Doig`s arrival coincided with a poor finish to that season as Pools finished 16th. For the next two seasons Doig was a frustrating presence in the squad and, despite a great goal in a win at York, he found himself out of the side more often than in it. He left in 1990 having made just 22 league starts in two years.