just two appearances, and was released at the end of the season. Brackstone signed for Conference North club Gateshead, but failed to establish himself in the side, was transfer-listed in November, and transferred to local rivals Blyth Spartans in February 2009 for a £3,000 fee. By the end of the 2009–10 season, he had made 50 appearances, mostly in the starting eleven. He then moved into Northern League football, first with Bedlington Terriers, where he spent two years before joining Shildon. In November 2015, he joined West Auckland Town on a short-term loan. Personal life Brackstone was born in 1985 in Hartlepool, County Durham, where he attended Henry Smith School. His older brother, Stephen, also went on to play professional football. Brackstone grew up as a Hartlepool United supporter. While playing football part-time, Brackstone spent time as a coach with a Teesside- and County Durham-based group of children's coaching academies. In October 2019, Brackstone played alongside his former Hartlepool team mates in a Legends v Fan Match. The 2004–05 side he played in is seen as one of the club's greatest sides. The Legends won 19-0 and Brackstone managed to get on the scoresheet. Career statistics Honours Club Hartlepool United Dallas Cup U19: 2004 Football League Two runners-up: 2006–07 References External links 1985 births Living people Footballers from Hartlepool English footballers Association football fullbacks Hartlepool United F.C. players Darlington F.C. players Gateshead F.C. players Blyth Spartans A.F.C. players Bedlington Terriers F.C. players Shildon A.F.C. players West Auckland Town F.C. players English Football League players National League (English football) players Northern Football League players