Michael Nelson

5

D.O.B.

28/03/1980

Birthplace

Gateshead

Position

Defender

Signed

July 2003

Fee

£70,000

Former Clubs

Bishop Auckland, Bury

Pen Pic

Micky Nelson began his career as a semi-professional at Spennymoor United and joined football league side Bury after impressive performaces in the Northern League.

In his very first season as a proffesional he gradually became a first team regular and played in 31 matches, scoring 2 goals in the process. His second season with the Shakers started poorly but he forced his way into the first team and was handed the captains armband after a string of impressive performances. Nelson won 4 player of the year awards for the 2002/03 season.

After Bury failed to win promotion Nelson returned to his native north-east to join Pools for a £70,000 fee. Nelson`s career got off to a flying start as he scored a goal from 30 yards on his debut. Nelson formed a solid patnership with Chris Westwood and won the Player of the Month award for September.

During the 2006/07 season he was instrumental in Pools promtion to League One and was made vice captain, he was also named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year. After a disappointing campaign in 07/08 he began to form a strong partnership with new signing Sam Collins but has never regained his previous standard of form. Nelson rejected the offer of a new contract at the club in the summer of 2009 and left the club.

"Micky Nelson is a strong athletic defender who never shies out of a tackle. He had some great times at the club but fell away in the last few seasons here after making too many mistakes and due to his poor distribution."