THREE weeks after being told to find a new club by Colin Todd, Neil Austin completed his move away from Darlington yesterday and joined North-East rivals Hartlepool United.

Austin became the first Quakers player to move to Victoria Park since Neil Aspin in 2001, and it brings to an end an “awful” few months for the player at the The Northern Echo Darlington Arena.

And while he is delighted to finally have his future sorted, the right-back revealed he was left with little choice but to move after a meeting with manager Todd.

“A month ago the administrators came in and told us all that we go and find new clubs,” said Austin. “And then when I met Colin Todd three weeks ago he told me that he could not keep me on because he had to reduce the wage budget.

“It is nice to know what I am doing now, but it is disappointing how it has come about. I have been with Darlington for the last two years and we came close to promotion on both occasions.

“I don’t think anyone would argue with me when I say that the stadium is too big for the club in League Two, but the team, the spirit and the fans at Darlington have been fantastic.”

Austin is now looking forward to receiving his first pay cheque at Hartlepool, after losing out on months of his salary at the Arena.

While the Darlington squad were paid 50 per cent of their wages after an agreement with the PFA in March and April, Austin – like his team-mates – was not paid in February and May.

Now, though, he is eager to look to the future with Hartlepool, although he did take the opportunity to thank the Darlington fans’ support during his time with the club.

“It’s been very hard since Darlington fell into administration in February,” said the 26-year-old. “But when I met Chris Turner (Hartlepool boss) last week it didn’t take me long to decide what to do.

“Chris talked well about the club. He explained that the club was in a good financial state and had good plans for the future.”

Austin is Turner’s fourth summer signing after Adam Boyd, Leon McSweeney and Peter Hartley.