Neil Danns came to the attention of Pools manager Neale Cooper when he starred in our 4-0 defeat at Blackpool in October 2003, while on loan from Blackburn Rovers. Later that season Cooper brought Danns in on loan for two months. A tough-tackling midfielder, Danns played his part in the run-in which resulted in us reaching the play-offs. Danns returned to Blackburn at the end of the season but, after failing to break through into the first team, signed for Colchester United after a successful loan spell. His career really took off in Essex and he was the driving force in his side`s midfield as Colchester won promotion in 2005/06.