Hartlepool United have announced the appointment of Tommy Miller as the club's under-16s head coach.

The 47-year-old made almost 200 appearances at Victoria Park, signing for Ipswich for a club-record fee following a hugely successful first stint, finding the net 41 times in 160 matches having progressed through the Pools academy before agreeing professional terms in 1997.

Since hanging up his boots, the former Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Swindon man has worked in various coaching roles, including a spell as manager at National League North side Spennymoor as well as a stint as Julio Arca's assistant at South Shields.

"I'm delighted to be joining Hartlepool United as head coach of the under-16s," Miller told the official Pools club website.

The hugely popular former midfielder has been appointed as the new head coach of Hartlepool United's under-16s side. Picture by Pete Norton/Getty Images.

placeholder image — The hugely popular former midfielder has been appointed as the new head coach of Hartlepool United's under-16s side. Picture by Pete Norton/Getty Images.

"The club means everything to me, and I look forward to working with the current group of players and with Alex Cross.

"There is some real talent in and around the area, and hopefully I can help develop and improve them moving forward."

Meanwhile, academy manager Alex Cross said he was "thrilled to bring Tommy back to the club.

"His knowledge and experience, both from a playing and coaching perspective, will help our young players progress further and hopefully follow in the same footsteps Tommy took back in 1997.

"To be able to bring someone of Tommy's calibre into the club's academy speaks volumes about how quickly the academy has progressed while showing our commitment to former players, with Tommy joining Gary Liddle within the academy coaching staff."

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