james managed to achieve all this on the pitch whilst also studying for a btec qualification in sport at east durham college and was subsequently awarded with the honour of being named apprentice of the month for december 2011 by the league football education committee. james continued his impressive form when he scored a brace in a 4–0 over carlisle united on 28 january 2012, which would prove to be hartlepool united's biggest winning margin of the season. as a result of his performance he was named in the football league team of the week. by now the 17-year–old had caught the attention of a number of larger clubs and in his next match, a 0–0 draw against bournemouth on 11 february 2012, he was watched by 21 scouts. premier league clubs newcastle united and bolton wanderers and scottish premier league side celtic in particular were all thought to be keen on signing the young midfielder. however, it was later reported on 7 june 2012 that newcastle united would not be pursuing their interest in the immediate future but would instead be keeping close tabs on james' progress. at the end of his debut season, james had made 19 league appearances and had two of his three goals nominated for hartlepool united's goal of the season award, with fans ultimately voting for his first football league goal against rochdale as the winner.