'˜Ronnie Moore will never be forgotten '“ but time was right for him to leave Pools': Fans react to departure

That’s the view of Phil Dunn, the spokesman for the Hartlepool United Supporters’ Trust, following Moore’s departure from Victoria Park.

The Liverpool-born manager achieved the near-impossible last season when he kept Pools in the Football League against all the odds.

However, he was unable to carry that momentum into this campaign, and a run of one win in the last nine games saw Moore lose his job.

The final nail in the coffin was Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Stevenage, which left Pools just one place and four points above the relegation zone.

Dunn, though, will always remember Moore positively for his role in producing the Great Escape.

He said: “I’ll never forget Ronnie Moore’s contribution to the club.

“Myself and many other supporters had written it all off halfway through last season.

“I had even stopped attending games, which was incredible for me as I’ve been going since 1970.

“There was no way I ever thought he would be able to do what he did.

“My memory of Ronnie Moore will be on the last day of last season when he had performed the miracle he did.

“He’ll never be forgotten by Pools fans for that.”

However, Dunn added: “Ronnie performed a miracle, but the effects of that have simply worn off. It became less effective this season.

“I think we’ve got better players than we had for the Great Escape, but they haven’t successfully gelled as a team.

“Ronnie has never been able to find the right combination to win games this season, and the last couple of months in particular haven’t been good.

“He was such a hero from last season, but he just couldn’t seem to continue it into this season. It’s a big shame.

“The club has done the right thing by making this decision now while we have a chance with the next few home games.”

Dunn now hopes former Pools assistant manager Craig Hignett will be Moore’s successor.

He said: “Craig has fresh, younger ideas, and it’s not that long since he finished playing.

“He cares about the club and has been a regular at the Vic this season. I’ve seen him three or four times.

“He knows the club and the players, and I think someone should give him the chance to manage a Football League side.

“He has been close to getting a few jobs over the last few months, and just deserves a chance.”