A former Hartlepool United defender has been named as new manager of National League North neighbours Spennymoor Town.

Former Hartlepool United defender Peter Hartley has been confirmed as new manager of National League North club Spennymoor Town.

The 38-year-old will undertake his first managerial role at the Brewery Field after being confirmed as permanent successor to another former Victoria Park favourite, Tommy Miller, on Wednesday evening. After making his senior debut in the colours of Sunderland, Hartley went on to make over 160 appearances for Pools during a four-year stay at The Vic before going on to play for the likes of Stevenage, Plymouth Argyle and Motherwell. He returned to his hometown club in 2023 following a spell with Indian club Jamshedpur and returned to the Super League with Inter Kashi when his Pools contract came to a close at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Peter Hartley during his time as a Hartlepool United player (photo Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Peter Hartley during his time as a Hartlepool United player (photo Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hartley has worked as a coach within Middlesbrough’s academy setup in recent seasons after retiring during the summer of 2024 and was named as Head of First Team Transition and Loan Pathways at Scottish club St Mirren just months later. However, he will now kickstart his managerial career with the Moors and he was selected out of what the club described as ‘an exceptionally strong field of candidates’.

A statement released on the National League North club’s website read: “Spennymoor Town are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Hartley as the Club’s new First Team Manager. The 38-year-old returns to the North East to take charge at The Brewery Field and will be joined by Ryan Cresswell, who has been appointed as Assistant Manager. Hartley’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process which attracted more than 50 applications and allowed the Club to consider an exceptionally strong field of candidates.

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“The resulting shortlist included former National League North managers, individuals currently working within international football and coaches and assistant managers from EFL clubs. Given the strength and breadth of that interest, the Club was determined not to rush the process and instead take the necessary time to ensure the appointment was the right one for Spennymoor Town.”

Hartley has named former Rotherham United and Southend United defender Ryan Cresswell as his assistant manager - and the duo will take charge for the first time when their side host Chorley in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday afternoon.

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