DAVE JONES admits he couldn’t stand in Adam Bartlett’s way as the goalkeeper plotted a new career for himself.

After 18 months as back up goalkeeper at Hartlepool United, Bartlett this week asked to be released from his contract to join Middlesbrough’s Academy as a goalkeeping coach, before he signed for Darlington 24 hours later.

The decision means Bartlett’s 343-game professional career is over. He joined the Newcastle Academy in 1995, without making a first-team appearance, before joining Blyth in 2005.

His debut for Darlington should come tomorrow at Gainsborough Trinity.

Bartlett’s final outing for Pools came in the defeat at Mansfield on February 11, before he was replaced by Middlesbrough loanee Joe Fryer.

“Adam wants to retire from professional football and it doesn’t surprise me as he’s at the age when he has to think of his future,’’ reflected Jones, ahead of Pools’ game at Blackpool tomorrow, for which they have already sold in excess of 1,300 tickets.

“He could be scratching around for a job later on and this could be a job for life if he goes about it the right way. If he wants to go and play lower league football then it’s fine by me.

“I wasn’t going to stand in his way. He asked to leave with a job lined up and a coaching career. I could have been selfish and left it to the end of the season, but I don’t think that’s right.

“If he wants to go and sign for a smaller, non league club then that’s fine for me.

“I’ve had it with players in the past with me who are coming to the end of their careers.’’

And Jones referred to one of his assistants at Pools as proof that moving into coaching early can work. Kevin Cooper played under Jones at Wolves and Cardiff before embarking on a different route.

“With Coops did he want to put his body through the rigours of lower league football when you have the opportunity to look at the next stage of your life, the next 20 years when you can be coaching?’’ he said.

“I couldn’t take that opportunity away from Barts when he could have a long future at a Premier League Academy.’’

Bartlett, appointed Lead Goalkeeping Coach for ages 9-16 at Boro, seemed set for a long run in the Pools’ side when Trevor Carson was ruled out for the rest of the season at the turn of the year.

But after shipping three goals at Newport and four at Mansfield, Jones replaced him with Fryer. The Middlesbrough loanee has impressed in recent weeks, as Pools’ defence has tightened up and Jones said of the 21-year-old: "I'm not surprised he’s done well, if he wasn't good we wouldn't have brought him in!

"The reports we'd had were all very favourable.

"Barts has been the No2 keeper for a long time, but we have Trev whose not far away. If Barts was 24/25 it might have been different.

"I had Martyn Margetson at Cardiff moving into coaching, and he's now the England goalkeeping coach.

"I have to think is it the right decision for the club and the player.

"It would have been selfish to have got in Barts way. If he now wants to go and play for Darlington, fine.

"He's going to be getting his body smacked about so he has to be careful he does not get injured.

"That's a decision Barts has made, if I was his coach or manager I'd be a bit wary.’’

Jones has appointed Adriano Basso as goalkeeping coach and he said: “Joe has matured and now he has Adriano working with him, someone with that bit experience and knowledge. That can be invaluable, especially to young players.

"When you are still a player it's hard to talk that way."

Pools have loaned young midfielder Kieran Green to Gateshead.