Angry Matthew Bates takes remarkable swipe at Hartlepool United coaches who refused to aid club's fight

Many had expected the likes of club hero Ian McGuckin to be present in the dugout at the weekend, especially with Bates light on options after the exit of Craig Harrison and Paul Jenkins on leave.

But Bates went it alone against Ebbsfleet - and he was less than pleased with some as yet unnamed members of the Pools setup.

“People at the club have been offered the opportunity to step up and haven’t,” said Bates after his relegation-threatened side were beaten 1-0 at Victoria Park.

“They have their own reasons.

“When the club is in need you need to step up.

“There are people here who have been here a lot longer than me who need to step up.

“I am a bit angry about it but it is what it is.

“I am big and brave enough to take it, though.”

With Jenkins unlikely to come back this week, Bates says he is looking into the prospect of bringing someone else into the club to help out with preparation for Aldershot.

Although, he knows the club will be unable to pay another wage.

Bates explained: “Going forward we need to sort something out.

“I have a lot of friends in football who will come in and do us a favour. That’s what it will have to be as we have no money.

“I have spoken to a few people. I’m meeting a few for a coffee [Today]. Hopefully by Thursday it will be sorted.”