'A new energy' - Hartlepool United star issues rallying call to supporters ahead of summer break
A Hartlepool United defender has delivered a message to supporters ahead of the summer.
Max Kouogun has urged Hartlepool United supporters to ‘stay positive’ as they await further changes at the Prestige Group Stadium.
Pools stalwart Nicky Featherstone brought down the curtain on his managerial reign with a defeat at Boston United on Saturday and he received an emotional farewell from supporters in the aftermath of the loss at the Jakeman’s Stadium. The feeling was clearly reciprocated by the man who represented Pools over 400 times during his playing career as he insisted supporters must get behind his successor when his appointment is confirmed over the coming weeks and months.
He said: “Thank you for your support over the six months I’ve been in charge. Thank you for your support over the 12 years I’ve been here but just make sure you get behind the next guy in charge and the next team that represents the football club because we will get it right over the next couple of seasons, I’m pretty convinced of that and we will give ourselves the best opportunity to move forward.”
Kouogun, meanwhile, will be part of the squad that will return for pre-season training in June to prepare for the first full season under Smith’s ownership after the American businessman officially completed a takeover deal at the Prestige Group Stadium midway through the current campaign. The departures of Featherstone and head of football operations Joe Monks have come following a review led by football recruitment and advisory firm Bromby & Partners and that will give Pools something of a fresh start ahead of the new campaign.
’A new energy’
Kouogun urged supporters to stay positive throughout the break and insisted there is ‘a new energy’ around the club following Smith’s successful takeover bid.
When asked if he had a message for Pools fans in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat, the defender said: “Keep positive. With the new ownership, hopefully it is a positive era for Hartlepool so positivity is what’s needed at the football club now. There is a new energy, a new ignition of something very positive to come in the summer.”
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