Hartlepool United promotion-winning hero Dave Challinor crowned League Two manager of the year after leading Stockport County to title

Challinor led Stockport to the League Two title, finishing the season with 92 points, four clear of Hollywood-backed Wrexham.

This season's success was the seventh promotion of Challinor's managerial career while it was County's first EFL title in 57 years.

The former Pools boss steered the Greater Manchester side to the National League title in his first season in charge, reached the League Two play-offs in County's first campaign back in the Football League and won promotion to the third tier this term.

Challinor was one of Hartlepool's most successful managers of the modern era, masterminding their return to the Football League after winning a dramatic National League play-off final against Torquay on penalties in 2021.

He made an impressive start the following season as Pools acquitted themselves well in spite of losing a handful of key players, including strikers Rhys Oates and Luke Armstrong and defender Gary Liddle, in the summer, winning three of their first four league matches.

However, he was persuaded to drop down a division to take charge of Stockport, who he captained in his playing days, and has since led County to two promotions in three seasons.

Pools, meanwhile, have already made 10 different managerial appointments - including caretakers, with two stints for Antony Sweeney - in the three years since Challinor left the North East.

Challinor, who became the first ever County manager to oversee two league titles and the first to pick up an LMA award, is targeting more success and told BBC Radio Manchester last month that he believes his side are capable of winning promotion to the Championship.