Craig Harrison opens up on his time at Hartlepool, mistakes he made and his hopes for fans

Harrison was sacked by Pools in February after less than eight months in the job.

The Gateshead-born manager had quit Welsh side The New Saints after leading them to six successive league titles and seven cup triumphs during his tenure.

But he wasn’t able to replicate that success at Pools as the team faltered in the national league after relegation from the Football League for the first time in their history.

Harrison’s spell was dogged by off-field financial issues, with owners Sage Investments pulling the plug on the finances as they attempted to sell the club.

Harrison, however, refuses to blame that for his unhappy spell and instead admits he made mistakes.

Having finally been paid his settlement figure by Pools, he was named as manager of Welsh side Bangor City yesterday and hopes he can get his career back on track.

“Despite the way it ended, I enjoyed my time at Hartlepool and it is a club with fantastic supporters and fantastic people,” he said.

“I’m gutted I didn’t succeed in the way the fans wanted but I’ve got nothing but positve things to say about the club and the fans, who got behind me.

“I made some mistakes along the way and and I’m not going to shy away from that. Hopefully I can learn from the experience and help it to make me a better manager.

“I gave everything to the job when I was at Pools, I put my all into the job. I had a lot of sleepless nights at times but I just wanted to try to bring success for the fans, but it just didn’t work out.

“I moved my young family up from the other end of the country for the Hartlepool job and it wasn’t for a lack of trying, lack of commitment and effort.”

Harrison was named as Bangor’s new manager yesterday as he returned to the Welsh leagues where he had so much success at TNS.

He faces a huge challenge with the club having been demoted from the Welsh Premier League despite finishing second, after issues with their ground.

“It’s exciting. It’s a different challenge now but one I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into.

“It’s 45 minutes from my home and Bangor are the biggest team in the Welsh system.

“I just wanted to get out working again.

“Hartlepool is a chapter that’s now closed but I’ll always keep an eye out for their results.

“I would like to wish Raj Singh all the very best in bringing some stability to Hartlepool. It’s what was lacking when I was at the club.

“And I wish the fans get the success they crave.

“I wouldn’t change anything about my decision to join Pools. It was an opportunity that excited me but it just didn’t work out.”