Neil Austin is a right-sided defender with Hartlepool United. Previously with Barnsley, he joined Pools in the 2009 close season from local rivals Darlington, having in 2008-09 been honoured with a place in the PFA League Two divisional team. 

Neil quickly settled in at Victoria Park and had a great first season which was capped with him winning both the Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year awards. Neil's second season at Hartlepool did not get off to the best of starts with him being out for a month with an ankle injury, but on his return he once again turned in some impressive performances. 

Unfortunately a second injury then saw him miss most of the second half of 2010-11, although he returned to action for the final two games of the season.