of the front-runners for both Hartlepool's Fans' and Players' Player of the Year, but he missed out to Joel Porter and Adam Boyd respectively. Sweeney would start in the 2005 Football League One play-off final as Hartlepool were defeated in extra-time to Sheffield Wednesday. Sweeney demonstrated his versatility by spending much of the 2009–10 season playing in an unfamiliar right-back role. In both the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons he prospered in his regular position of central midfield, top scoring in both campaigns with nine and eight goals respectively. Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Sweeney was named as Hartlepool's new club captain but struggled for game time. Sweeney left at the end of the 2013–14 season having made 444 appearances in his thirteen years at the club. This placed him third in the all time appearances rankings. Carlisle United On 20 June 2014, Sweeney signed a two-year deal with League Two side Carlisle United following their relegation from League One. Sweeney was released at the end of his two years and signed for Gateshead. He made 58 appearances in all competitions for The Cumbrians. Gateshead Sweeney made one appearance for Gateshead, as a substitute in a 0–1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers before leaving to join previous club Hartlepool United as a coach. Coaching career Sweeney holds a UEFA A Licence qualification. In 2016, Sweeney began coaching Hartlepool United U16's part-time while playing for Gateshead. After retiring from professional football in September 2016, Sweeney took up a full-time role at Hartlepool as Youth Development Coach. In January 2019, Sweeney began coaching Hartlepool's first team as a part of Craig Hignett's backroom staff. Following the departure of first team manager Craig Hignett, Sweeney was appointed caretaker manager at Hartlepool in October 2019. Sweeney returned to his previous role as First Team Coach when Dave Challinor was appointed Pools manager in November 2019. Sweeney was appointed Interim Manager after Dave Challinor left the club to join Stockport County in November 2021. He won his first game in charge, a 1–0 win against Everton U21s in the EFL Trophy. He finished his second spell in charge with a 3–0 win against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Trophy. On 2 March 2022, Sweeney signed a long term contract with the club. The deal would see him to continue to work with the Hartlepool first team while also helping to re-develop the club's academy. Recognition Sweeney