Hartlepool United have their say after Mail puts questions to club bosses

Bottom of the Football League, looking for their third manager of the season and knocked out of the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion by non-league Blyth Spartans.

That defeat was the latest in a long line for Pools this season – the 16th of the season – but it felt like a turning point among long-suffering supporters.

It has been a turbulent campaign and it has left disgruntled fans asking a lot of questions.

With the usual media access restricted this week, SportMail asked the club a list of 10 questions that we think needed answering.

The club has responded and revealed:

*PAUL Murray and Willie Donachie were sacked because their record was “not in the interests of the club” with the club admitting the Blyth defeat was a factor.

*POOLS say awful second-half performances under Murray were a “mystery”.

*A NEW manager to be in place “as soon as practical”.

*THE new boss WILL be given funds to bring in new players but the club will again focus on free agents.

*THE £90,000 FA Cup money will be used to reduce Pools’ annual losses and help strengthen the squad.

*THERE was no plan in place to replace Luke James as they hoped to convince him to stay.

*CHAIRMAN Ken Hodcroft takes responsibility for the season’s failings but also blames the two previous managers and financial fair play restrictions.

SEE today’s Mail for the full feature