Craig Hignett confirms Hartlepool United coaching set-up ahead of the new season

Manager Craig Hignett admitted he’s ‘really pleased’ with his coaching staff at Hartlepool United as he confirmed the set-up ahead of the new campaign.
By Dominic Scurr
Published 25th Jun 2019, 06:00 BST
Updated 25th Jun 2019, 07:00 BST
Hartlepool Manager Craig Hignett and Ged McNamee the 1st team coach during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park (photo: Mark Fletcher).Hartlepool Manager Craig Hignett and Ged McNamee the 1st team coach during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park (photo: Mark Fletcher).
Hartlepool Manager Craig Hignett and Ged McNamee the 1st team coach during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park (photo: Mark Fletcher).

Pools returned to full pre-season training for the first time this week with the coaches preparing the squad for the National League kick-off on August 3.

Hignett confirmed that first-team coach Ged McNamee, goalkeeping coach Ross Turnbull and youth team coach Antony Sweeney would remain his coaching staff on a matchday for the new season.

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“We are where we are in terms of staff, there won’t be anyone coming in,” said the Hartlepool manager.

“It will be me, Ged, Ross and Sweens will have a dual role with the 16s to 18s and the first team on a matchday.

“I’m really pleased with what I’ve got and I think we’ve got a really good balance.”

Former Sunderland academy manager McNamee and Champions League winning goalkeeper Turnbull were brought into the club by former manager Matthew Bates at the end of the 2017-18 season. And when Hignett was re-appointed as manager in January, he kept the coaching set-up intact.

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“Ross, Ged and Sweens are three really good, solid people who have different opinions to me which I like and respect,” he added.

“Ged is someone who has been around this area for years and years and knows everyone so he’s been a massive help to me as has Ross.

“Sweens is someone who I’ve got a lot of respect for and he knows the football club, he knows everything about it so they are the people I want here and more importantly the people I need here.”