Jack Baldwin

Hartlepool United

Baldwin was born in Barking, Greater London. He was on trial at Gillingham and impressed Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler after a season with Faversham Town's first-team at the age of 18 years before going on trial with North-East side Hartlepool United and signing a professional contract after impressing manager Mick Wadsworth in pre-season friendlies. Prior to signing this contract, Baldwin was due to start University in a few months time to do a course in Sports Therapy at Kent. Baldwin made his senior debut for Hartlepool United on 17 December 2011 in a 1–0 home defeat against Colchester United with caretaker boss Micky Barron saying "Jack came in and was steady. He got on the ball, won his tackles and headers and competed really well. He's been terrific since he came to the club on trial in pre-season." After playing for the reserve side from the start of the season, Baldwin began to establish himself in the Hartlepool United's starting eleven, playing in either defensive-midfield and centre-back throughout the 2011–12 season. He went on to make seventeen appearances in his first season and shortly after the end of the 2011–12 season, Baldwin committed his future to Hartlepool by signing a long-term contract with the club. In the 2012–13 season, Baldwin found himself in and out of the first team, where he was often featured on the substitute bench. After being suspended for one match and appearing three times as an unused substitute on the bench,…

Baldwin is a versatile footballer who can play centre-back, right-back or central midfield. Former Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper likened 18-year-old Baldwin to a 'young Alan Hansen' praising Baldwin on 'the way he reads the game'.

As of 11 April 2026

Up until joining Hartlepool United, Baldwin attended Eastbury Comprehensive School and was at the time studying for his A-level exams. In 2014, Baldwin became a father and cited family reason as the reason he left Hartlepool United. Later in 2014, Baldwin took part in a cycling challenge with Andy Rafferty for the 120-mile ride from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, to Blackhall in aid of raising money for London-based Richard House Children's Hospice.