Peter Hartley is one of our summer signings made just after the 2013-4 season started; Boro’ paying an undisclosed five-figure sum to land their man from Hartlepool United. He’s a resilient defender capable of operating at centre back or left back; coming in to provide the versatility that Graham Westley needed. The player came with a reputation for a tough tackle and good aerial ability and his signing saw him step back up into League One just weeks after Hartlepool were relegated down a division to League Two.

Peter Hartley: Before Boro’

It was a fellow North East side, Sunderland, with whom he started his career. He signed a youth contract at the Stadium of Light in 2000 and turned pro in 2006. But first team action was always out of reach. It was with Chesterfield in 2008 where Hartley first got a chance to establish his Football League credentials; a loan spell lasting a handful of months. But it wasn’t enough to convince his parent club.

After Sunderland released him at the end of the 2008-9 campaign, Hartley moved to Hartlepool United and started out as left back in his debut season. He then reverted back to centre back in 2010-1. He continued his development with the club, eventually named captain in 2012-3; receiving a League One Player of the Month Award nomination in February 2013 for his outstanding performances.