Hartlepool United appoint specialist football advisory firm as Pools 'look to build the right foundations for long-term success'

Pools are almost four months into a new era following American businessman Landon Smith's takeover of the club from hugely controversial former owner Raj Singh, which was announced suddenly and unexpectedly on New Year's Eve.

Since then, Smith has taken time to get to know the town, the club and the unique footballing culture in the North East, with the new regime working to implement change behind the scenes.

Initially at least, Smith seemed to focus on stability as Pools continued their push for a National League play-off place this season, publicly backing manager Nicky Featherstone and financing five new signings, including former promotion-winning midfielder Gavan Holohan and highly rated winger Tyrese Sinclair.

In his most recent open letter, published towards the end of last month, Smith wrote that "over the coming weeks, you will begin to see action" as Pools start implementing new footballing and business models that the club hope will lead to sustained success on and off the pitch.

The move to welcome specialist football advisory firm Bromby and Partners appears to be the most significant step taken by the club to date, with Pools saying they will "support the club over the coming months, providing strategic oversight and operational support as part of a structured plan in the club's football operations".

According to the Pools club website, the appointment comes in the wake of a wide-ranging review led by Smith, "with this particular aspect focused on strengthening football operations, supporting staff and establishing high performance foundations for long-term success on and off the pitch".

On their own website, Bromby and Partners describe themselves as "a premier football recruitment and advisory firm, founded by industry leaders with decades of experience at the highest levels of the game".

The firm was founded by Leigh Bromby and Stuart Webber "to support clubs in various strategic and football operation capacities".

Following a playing career in the Premier League and Championship, Bromby went on to carve out a reputation as a well-respected football executive. During that time, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United defender has held several high profile positions in sporting director and academy roles and "has supported clubs in key recruiting periods and developing high performance environments".

Webber, meanwhile, "is regarded as one of football's most influential and forward-thinking sporting directors with over 20 years of experience".

Webber, who never had a playing career, has held several distinguished positions, notably at Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City, where in his role as sporting director he twice oversaw the Canaries winning promotion to the Premier League. Since September 2025, the Welshman has been working as head of sport at Japan's RB Omiya Ardija, part of the Red Bull Group.

As part of their work with Pools, Chris Maxwell, Bromby and Partners' head of football operations, is set to work closely with the club and its staff day-to-day. Maxwell, a former Welsh under-21 international goalkeeper who enjoyed spells at the likes of Wrexham, Fleetwood Town and Blackpool, sits on the Professional Footballers Association players' board.

Pools owner Smith told the club's official website that the appointment of Bromby and Partners was the first of a series of steps being taken to "strengthen and progress".

"This appointment represents an important next step as we look to build the right foundations for long-term success," he said.

"Since coming into the club, I've made it a priority to listen, understand how we operate and to speak directly with staff, supporters and some industry leaders.

"That has made it clear that there is an opportunity to strengthen and further develop our football operations in a structured way, building on the foundations that currently exist.

"In Bromby and Partners, we have brought in a group with the experience and strategic understanding to support that work.

"They have operated at the highest levels of the game but equally understand what is required to build and deliver progress in a sustainable way at this level.

"This is the beginning of a series of steps we will take to strengthen and progress components across the club and the wider infrastructure that supports it.

"It will take some time to properly establish things and that will need patience, but I believe the end result will put the club on a strong footing to move forward sustainably."

Meanwhile, Bromby and Partners revealed they were "delighted to be working with Hartlepool United at an important stage in the club's development."

"Bromby and Partners have experience across all levels of the professional game and understand what is required to help clubs with ambition progress through the football pyramid.

"Our role is to bring that experience and to work closely with the club and the football department as they continue to build and develop.

"We'll look to implement improvements and support over time, helping to create a more structured and effective football operation.

"There is clear ambition here and real potential. We're looking forward to playing our part in helping to put the right structures and environment in place to support long-term success."

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