The Hartlepool Mail's Robbie Stelling reflects on his chat with former Pools goalkeeper Josh Mazfari

The Hartlepool Mail's Robbie Stelling reflects on his chat with former Pools goalkeeper Josh Mazfari.

Transcript

00:00On Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Hartlepool United's pre-season trip to Redker Athletic,

00:06I had the opportunity to sit down with former Pools goalkeeper Josh Masfari to discuss his

00:12contentious departure from Pools earlier this summer, his impressive form with the Steelmen

00:17last season, his decision to sign permanently for Redker last month, as well as his ambitions

00:23to return to the professional game. The first thing to say is what a lovely lad Josh is,

00:28speaks really well, was really forthcoming with his time and insight, of course, ahead of what is

00:33a big game for himself and for Redker playing against a higher level opposition. Of course,

00:39for Masfari, it was an emotional occasion to an extent as well, taking on his former club just

00:44a couple of months after his departure. He produced a really, really impressive performance. He was

00:50man of the match, I think, by some distance as Pools ran out 3-0 winners. Masfari produced a string of

00:56impressive saves, denying Sam Fuller in one-on-one, keeping Luke Charman out on several occasions,

01:02and making one particularly fantastic save, tipping a long-range effort that looked destined for the

01:07top corner onto the crossbar. I think he also impressed with his feet and his distribution.

01:12It took me about an hour to work out whether he was actually left or right-footed, full of confidence.

01:17He even did a Cruyff turn in his own box when Pools were looking to apply some pressure,

01:22and he can certainly be pleased with his performance. It was indeed perhaps a performance

01:25that left Pools' fans scratching their heads somewhat as to why the club allowed the young

01:30goalkeeper to leave earlier this summer. Of course, Pools have had some well-documented

01:36struggles in goal over the last couple of years. Joel Dixon, Brad Young and Adam Smith all occupied

01:41the number one shirt at various stages throughout last season, and at the moment, Smith is the only

01:47registered goalkeeper available at the club. The sense is that Pools are looking to recruit a new

01:52number one. We've seen a couple of young goalkeepers on trial, although none of them have been

01:56especially convincing. Of course, it is worth noting that it's difficult at any time to be a

02:01goalkeeper, especially a young goalkeeper, and it's really, really difficult, I think, to make a

02:05positive impression on trial. And the conditions were difficult on Tuesday night as well. Not that

02:12Masfari let it affect him. Of course, one of the things we were discussing was the controversial

02:17manner of his Pools' departure. He was named as a player who the club were in ongoing contract

02:21negotiations with when they published their retain list at the end of May. However, Masfari took to

02:26social media to announce his departure in June. His dad, Steve, later followed up to refute the club's

02:32suggestion that talks, either verbally or in writing, had ever been entered into. However, Masfari gave a

02:39really balanced view on the situation. He spoke really fondly of his time at the club, in particular

02:44his relationship with fellow goalkeepers Joel Dixon and Adam Smith, and said he had utmost respect

02:49for the fans and everyone associated with the club. He told me he felt he'd become a better player

02:54and a better person during his time at Victoria Park, and that no door was permanently closed.