Chris Maxwell hails 'a real sense of excitement' at Hartlepool United

Former Wrexham, Fleetwood Town and Blackpool goalkeeper Maxwell was brought to Victoria Park after new Pools owner Landon Smith hired Bromby and Partners, a specialist football consultancy firm, to oversee development and progression ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Since then, Pools appear to have made significant progress on and off the pitch, welcoming nine signings including several statement new arrivals, instilling a footballing identity, working hard on the club's commercial strategy, making much-needed improvements to the playing surface at Victoria Park and rebuilding its relationship with the fanbase, which became alarmingly fractured under controversial former owner Raj Singh.