Luke Molyneux was released by Sunderland in 2019, but has thrived in the lower divisions with Hartlepool and has earned a move to Doncaster Rovers this summer. He insists that the shock exit from Sunderland was crucial in helping him grow, both on and off the pitch.
IMPROVED
“If I hadn’t been released from Sunderland, ended up in the National League with Hartlepool then worked my way back up, I don’t think I’d be the player I am today. I’ve improved on a lot of things and overcome a lot to become a better person as well as a better player."
SHOCK
“It (being released by Sunderland) was a bit of a shock. I went out on loan that season to Gateshead and I felt there was no reason why Sunderland shouldn’t have kept me on."
HIGNETT
"Luckily Craig Hignett at Hartlepool wanted me. I was enjoying it but I had a big injury and when I came back, Craig Hignett wasn’t the manager.”
TEAMMATES
“Sunderland had a real good age group when we were 16, it was tipped to be the next best thing after Jordan Henderson’s but not a lot of players have made it through, which is quite mad. Ethan Robson’s just signed for MK Dons, there was George Honeyman and (Portsmouth’s) Denver Hume but not a lot are in the league or even playing football. I want football as my full-time job so I’ll just keep pushing on."
CONFIDENCE
“I was confident I was going to make that step eventually but you always have doubts when you get released. Even when we got promoted from the National League, I didn’t know if I was going to be staying at Hartlepool because I didn’t play as much as I wanted.”
