Former Carlisle United defender Gary Liddle has turned down a new deal at Hartlepool United in order to join South Shields.

The 35-year-old was in his second spell at Victoria Park having initially rejoined the club in the 2019/20 season.

That came after a two-and-a-half year spell in Cumbria, with Keith Curle having brought Liddle to Brunton Park in 2017.

He featured 38 times last season and was offered fresh terms by Pools, but turned them down in order to join the Northern Premier League side.

Speaking after putting pen to paper at Mariners Park, Liddle said: "I spoke to the chairman and the manager regarding the ambitions of the club and what it has got planned not just this season but going forward as well, and it’s a really exciting project that I want to get my teeth stuck into.

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“It was always going to be a tough decision, because Hartlepool showed they wanted to keep me around next season by offering me a contract.

“I could have had it easy and just stayed at Hartlepool but I want to finish my career being successful and helping another club.

“South Shields is a good and ambitious club with an ambitious owner and ambitious manager, and I’m thrilled to be part of helping them drive to have that success.”

Liddle joins former Hartlepool teammate Martin Smith - who spent a brief spell on loan at Brunton Park in 2016 - as part of Kevin Phillips' squad for the 2022/23 season.

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