james maintained his impressive form into the 2012–13 season, making 25 league appearances and scoring 3 league goals, which culminated in him winning the league one apprentice of the year award on 24 march 2013. he dedicated the award to the fans for their continued support despite the fact that the club was facing a relegation battle. despite his own success, however, he was unable to prevent the club from being relegated from football league one at the end of the season. at the end of the season, james found himself nominated, for a second consecutive year, for the hartlepool united goal of the season award for his goal in a 1–1 draw with brentford on 20 april 2013, however, he ultimately lost out on the fan vote to teammate james poole. in the close season, james was once again the subject of transfer speculation with football league championship sides crystal palace, middlesbrough and huddersfield town, as well as league one clubs brentford and shrewsbury town all thought to have been considering a bid for the 18-year–old midfielder, however a formal offer was never made for him.