Adam Boyd

Born in Hartlepool in the North East of England, Boyd attended Grange Primary School, Hartlepool. There his football abilities were first spotted by the school's headmaster and PE coach, Brian Cross, who selected him to play for the under-11 team, despite only being seven years old. While at Grange Primary School, Boyd rarely missed a game for his school. He then progressed through to Manor College of Technology and he was once again recognised as a football player by the school's headmaster, Alan White, a teacher who had previously taught Steve Harper and Paul Kitson. Boyd also played for five years with a Sunday League team called Hartlepool St. Francis, where he started off by playing in central defence and helped the team win several trophies in the Teesside Junior Alliance league. Boyd caught the eye of Middlesbrough who sent scouts to watch him and gave him a trial. However, they decided against signing him. Subsequently, he joined Hartlepool United instead, which was his favourite team alongside Manchester United. He had regularly watched Hartlepool United as a young boy with his father.

Hartlepool United

While at Hartlepool's youth team he quickly impressed the coaching staff of Mick Smith and Billy Horner. Despite having been in the youth team only for a short amount of time, he was given a surprising last minute call up to the first team at only 16 years of age. Boyd eventually made his debut against Shrewsbury Town and was an immediate success after coming on a substitute and scoring a dramatic last minute goal from a tight angle in his debut game. However, Boyd's early promise quickly faded as the team relinquished him to the reserves and he struggled to make an impact. From the 1999 season to 2003, Boyd had started a total of 25 first team matches and made 38 substitution appearances. Despite being on the field often, Boyd only managed to score 15 goals. Boyd's lack of first team appearances prompted the newly appointed Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper to loan him to Boston United to gain experience. During his time at Boston, Boyd won critical acclaim from Boston manager Neil Thompson and played a total of 14 matches scoring four goals before returning to Hartlepool. Boyd returned nine pounds overweight and looked set to leave Hartlepool United after angering Cooper. When asked about his weight gain, Boyd claimed that he had been eating more to build up his strength but when asked about gym work he said he had not started it yet. Boston looked set to make permanent deal for Boyd and made an offer for the striker. However, both teams failed to…

In 2005, Boyd was involved in an incident where he was forced to flee across a "posh estate" and suffered bruises and injuries to his feet. Boyd declined to take any legal action against his attacker, saying that he just wanted to "forget about it". Months before during Hartlepool's pre-season tour in the Netherlands, a streaker ran onto the pitch and danced in front of him. In 2021, Boyd was working for DPD delivering parcels. Boyd enjoys attending Hartlepool matches and, during the 2020–21 season, provided guest commentary. On 14 October 2024, Boyd was due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court after being charged driving with excess alcohol in May 2024. However, his case was adjourned as he was in rehab. The hearing was moved to November 2024. On 8 November 2024, Boyd pleaded guilty at court and was banned from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £1,000, along with being ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Hartlepool United Third Division runner-up: 2002–03 Individual

North East Team of the Year: 2002–03 Football League Second Division Player of the Month: April 2004 Hartlepool United Player's Player of the Year: 2004–05 Football League One Player of the Month: January 2005 Hartlepool United Goal of the Season: 2004–05 North East Goal of the Season: 2004–05