NEIL Aspin has made over 600 Football League appearances since starting out as a 16-year-old at Leeds United.

But even 20 seasons of action couldn't have prepared him for the events that saw him switch allegiance from Darlington to rivals Hartlepool this week.

Not many players make the move from Feethams to Victoria Park, but Aspin is not complaining as he prepares for another assault on the Division Three promotion race.

Aspin's release from Darlington shocked and angered fans, but he admitted: "Obviously it was a shock to me as well.''

After eight seasons at Leeds and ten at Port Vale, the 35-year-old had expected to see out his playing days at Feethams.

"Things have moved very quickly and what happened was a big shock,'' he admitted. "It's not a case of me having to say anything back at Darlington, I'm just pleased that when I was released I got a new club.

"I am not the type of person who goes from club to club, but things change in football.

"It's great that I am able to keep my football going and that there is no moving across the country at this stage of my career and I'm at another club in the North-East.

"At my age, moving my family is of no appeal. I spoke to other clubs, but Hartlepool are not struggling and it fits in nicely - it's logical and there's no disruption. We even train next door to each other in Durham, so nothing has changed!''

Yorkshire-based Aspin added: "I was looking more long term at Darlington and this season I was getting more involved in the coaching side of things as well as playing.

"It was disappointing the way results were going this season and I was looking to stay long term, over the next few years. That's the situation I was looking at on the Monday, then on the Tuesday I was leaving - it was a big shock.'

Aspin sat out the two-legged play-off semi-final triumph over Pool last season through injury, but was part of the side that went down to Peterborough in the Wembley final.

It was the last Division Three saw of Wembley before its demolition, and it was also the last seen of David Hodgson's class of 2000 before it was broken up.

But Aspin admits the side underachieved in the closing weeks of the season to the extent that the play-offs should never have come into the equation and instead, Quakers should have been celebrating automatic promotion on May 3.

"In the last month of the season we didn't get the results we should have,'' he admitted. "And the players realise that as well. The top three was there and it was a disappointing end to things.

"This season was always going to be different, there was a lot of changes in personnel. Obviously, people realise it was going to be very different to last time.

"Now I've left as well, but Darlington have some great lads and everyone who works at he club on a matchday as well, but I've not got anything to say against them.''

Aspin could be line for a swift return to his former home as Pool make the trip along the A66 on March 10.

"I think I'm experienced enough to know that when you sign for your rivals, you can upset a lot of people connected with the other club,'' he admitted. "I would like people to understand that I didn't leave through any fault of my own, but who knows what sort of reception I am going to get?''

Aspin was at Victoria Park last Saturday as Pool drew with Carlisle and at the time a move to Cumbria looked on the cards before Turner stepped in.

He added: "I trained with the lads on Thursday and watched them last week and I know some good players here - and some good young players as well who can obviously develop and become better players as well.

"There's probably a stronger squad than last season and hopefully we can get right in there.

"James Sharp stood out for me last week - there's not many players like that about. He's got a good left foot and he's a big prospect.

"And if you have a player like Tommy Miller who can score goals from midfield then you have a good asset. It's no surprise he is being heavily watched.

"I haven't come here to say 'I'm going to do this or do that' and there's no pressure on anyone on the coaching side of things from me. I have come here as a player and the manager has signed me as cover.

"If I get a chance, then hopefully I will take it - it's a case of seeing what happens.''