Academy manager returns to Hartlepool United

Hewitson spent eight years heading up the club's academy, bringing through current first-team crop Josh Hawkes and Lewis Hawkins, as well as the likes Luke James, Brad Walker and Connor Simpson.

Having made the decision to leave the club, when finances were tight, Hewitson admits he is delighted to be at Victoria Park.

"I am over the moon to be back," he said in a statement on the club website.

"I didn’t particularly want to leave but under the previous regime I found it difficult to stay from a personal point of view and thankfully circumstances have now changed.

"I spoke to Craig, we discussed the role and everything has gone well so I am thrilled to be back and working with the fantastic staff in the Academy.

"They’ve done great work to keep things going under very difficult circumstances so we’ll now work together because there is some ground to make up and we want to be even better than we’ve been in the past."

Director of football Craig Hignett, who convinced Hewitson to return after talks following Raj Singh's Pools takeover, thinks having the academy chief back on board adds value to the club.

"This is great news for everyone," said Hignett.

"John has proved his worth over a number of years with some fantastic work for the Club so we’re delighted he’s agreed to come back and continue that.

"We know when we left earlier this year he did so with a heavy heart so we were keen to have the conversation with him about returning so we’re really pleased he’s back."