FOR most players, a testimonial season signals the end.

For Hartlepool United skipper Micky Barron, however, his tenth season at Victoria Park will signal only a landmark.

Barron signed for Keith Houchen's struggling side in 1996, a loan period from Middlesbrough the start of a decade of service.

Since then he's played 307 times, won a couple of player-of-the-year awards, captained Pool to promotion and lies 12th in the all-time appearance list, three games behind Houchen and a further nine away from a place in the top ten.

At the moment he's on bench duty, after hernia and knee problems.

But being named as a substitute for today's game at Chesterfield is a boost for the 30-year-old.

"Anything this season is a bonus because there was a time when it looked like I wasn't going to be involved at all,'' he admitted.

"I was on the bench last week at Brentford and it was nice to be involved again.

"I know myself I still need some more games. My fitness levels are high, but not all there yet.

"I am pleased just to be on the bench for now, never mind the team, and we will take it from there and see what happens.

"I'm delighted to sign up again with the club. It will take me to ten years and I have to thank the manager and Martin (Scott) for that.

"I haven't had the best of seasons at the club because of injury, so it's great that the club has come to me and offered me the extra year to see me through to a testimonial.

"But I don't want that to be the end - I want to go on and hopefully have another two, three or whatever years beyond that as well.''

Barron's right-back berth has been taken by Jack Ross. The Scot moved from Clyde last summer and has turned in a string of impressive displays of late.

He wanted a return to Scotland during the transfer window but, after Pool refused to sell, Ross's immediate future lies at Victoria Park, a situation he's happy with.

And Barron admits it's a set of circumstances he is more than comfortable to live with.

"Me and Jack get on really well,'' he said. "I think it's a great misconception that players don't get on because they play in the same position.

"I get on well with Jack, I sit with him on the team bus, we have good crack together and when I found out he wasn't leaving, I was the first to go up to him and say how pleased I was.

"It's brilliant that he is staying, especially when he is playing well week in, week out, like he is now.''

Barron played in the midweek reserve draw with Rotherham but knows he needs to play more games for Martin Scott's side before he can push Ross for a starting role.

He said: "It would be nice to get back in the side but the way the lads have been playing it might take some time.

"To be involved is great for me.

"I cannot complain because the lads have been doing so well.

"Hopefully I will get a chance through suspension and not if someone gets injured or through bad form.

"I've just got to play reserve games to get my fitness levels up.''

Pool are sitting in fifth place in League One and, with a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup and a trip to Southampton up for grabs if they see off Brentford in next week's replay, it's happy times at Victoria Park.

"A lot of people wrote us off this season, they said last season was a one-off and then they used our away form as a reason to back up their doubts, but the lads knew they could do it.

"Micky Nelson and Chris Westwood have been fantastic at the back and they work ever so hard.

"Last week, as a team, we didn't play as well as we could, but Brentford wouldn't let us.

"I'm sure, with home advantage in the replay, we can get the ball down and get at them.''

Pool beat Chesterfield 3-2 at Victoria Park earlier in the season, with Antony Sweeney grabbing a hat-trick.

Spirites' boss Roy McFarland said: "I think they're one of the best footballing teams in the division.

"We fell behind to two early goals at their place - poor goals - and were chasing the game. Although we played very well and got back into it, I think their quality showed again with the winning goal.

"They play football, move the ball from left to right and look to play sliding balls behind the defence.

"They're very attack minded.

"Their strength is their collective strength - I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season."

* Pool's home game with Peterborough, originally set for next Friday but postponed because of the FA Cup replay, has been rearranged for Tuesday, April 5.

Read more about Hartlepool here.