HARTLEPOOL United's decision to withdraw from the FA Youth Cup was down to a lack of players, according to reports.

Pool were drawn against Wanderers but decided to withdraw from the competition, with the Whites receiving a bye to the second round.

The decision was made because they are one of the few clubs who aren’t registered as a category four academy and therefore cannot register new players, according to the Hartlepool Mail.

Last year, the club replaced their paid academy system with an unpaid partnership with Hartlepool College due to effects of the pandemic.

Despite winning promotion back to the Football League last season, the youth team remained a college side.

Pool were able to register the college players in the competition last season but, being an EFL side, this is no longer an option.

“It’s really disappointing,” said manager Dave Challinor. “We’re the only club at the minute who have a huge anomaly in terms of where we’re at.

“Without being disrespectful, we’re not going to win the FA Youth Cup so to deny the players an opportunity to play in a prestigious competition, play under the lights at the Vic as they would have (against Bolton), I think it’s an absolute joke to be honest.

"For some of them, it could have been their only opportunity to play there and I think it stinks a little bit to deny them that opportunity.

"It’s absolutely no fault of the clubs and I feel sorry for the players more than anything.”

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