Former Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett considering legal action over unpaid severance package seven months after being sacked

Hignett was sacked as Pools boss back in October but is yet to receive the four-figure payment he is owed from the club almost seven months on.

And due to a lack of progress in receiving his payment, the former Middlesbrough forward is now considering legal action

“The reality of the situation is that I’m sitting here seven months later still waiting for my money,” Hignett said.

“The club have, as of now, stopped talking to me. I’m texting [chief executive] Mark Maguire every day and getting nothing back so, unfortunately, I’m going to have to go down the legal route.”

Hignett was relieved of his duties following a 2-1 defeat at Stockport County which left the club sitting 16th, four points off the play-off places in the National League table after 16 matches.

“As far as the [sacking] decision is concerned, I don’t know to this day why it happened, I’ve spoken to Raj Singh once since it happened so it’s all a bit of a mystery really,” the 50-year-old told BBC Radio Tees.

“What happens in football happens, I just think the way you go about it, you show a certain amount of decency and professionalism and unfortunately that hasn’t been the case.

“I’d much rather [Singh] told me himself instead of getting Mark Maguire to do it, I thought our friendship owed me that.

“But then to act the way they have about paying me up and make me fight for my money and not have the decency to call me back, I think it’s really poor.

“There is a right and a wrong way of doing things and it leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. It’s not sour grapes, it’s just doing the right thing and if you’re not going to do that then at least have the decency to tell me why so we can do something about it.”

Hartlepool have confirmed that Hignett is owed money but are seeking clarity over company equipment before making payment. The former Pools boss denies being in possession of any club items as the dispute looks set to drag on further.

In response to Hignett’s comments, a club spokesperson told the Mail: "Following comments made by our former manager, we are disappointed that the discussions have been somewhat misrepresented.

“We held protracted conversations relating to various initial claims, most of which proved to be unfounded. Ultimately this led to an agreement in recent weeks as to what was owed.

“As part of this, we wrote asking for clarity over various items of company equipment, this is missing and once we receive clarification regarding this matter we will be able to conclude things.

“It is disappointing that such discussions find their way into a public forum. Most importantly we are focused on solving the current challenges facing the club."