Hartlepool United legend urges club to tie down 'huge asset' Dave Challinor ahead of League Two season

Pools chairman Raj Singh said tying down Challinor to a new contract was one of his top priorities this summer and was ‘very confident’ in getting his manager to commit his future to the club.

But two weeks after Hartlepool’s promotion to the Football League Challinor remains on his existing contract which is set to expire next summer.

Hartlepool legend and Blyth Spartans assistant manager Micky Barron hopes his former club can keep Challinor at Victoria Park amid interest and speculation from elsewhere.

"He always seems calm which is a brilliant trait to have as a manager,” Barron told The Mail.

“He sets his team up well playing a system that all the players know which is credit to the manager and the staff.

"He’s a huge asset and I just hope he stays at the club because there have been a few managers who have left clubs after getting promoted which always seems strange to me.

"Especially after getting promoted, he will have other opportunities and it will be down to him and the club to get something sorted which will actually keep him at the club.”

Barron is expecting to welcome Challinor and his Pools side to Croft Park on Tuesday, 27 July (7:30pm kick-off) as they take on Blyth in their third of five pre-season friendlies ahead of the new League Two campaign on August 7.

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