Nicky Featherstone calls for support for Hartlepool United successor after emotional farewell

Outgoing Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone hailed an impressive band of travelling support following his side’s season-ending defeat at National League rivals Boston United - and urged the Pools faithful to get behind his successor when the new season gets underway in August.

The Pools stalwart officially ended his reign as manager of the club where he made over 400 appearances during his playing career on Saturday as his side fell to a defeat against the Pilgrims. Featherstone’s men actually took the lead midway through the second-half at the Jakemans Stadium as defender Max Kouogun rose to meet a Jamie Miley corner-kick and powered a header beyond hosts keeper Louis Chadwick before celebrating in front of over 500 travelling Poolies.

However, that was as good as it got for Featherstone and his players as their hosts rallied during the final quarter of an hour to bring a positive end to their own campaign. Connor Teale, Frankie Maguire and Tom Cursons all netted to ensure the Pilgrims took the honours and that meant Pools had fallen short of Featherstone’s self-imposed target of reaching 71 points for the season.

There were emotional scenes at the end of the game as the Pools boss and his players thanks supporters for making the trip to Lincolnshire and getting behind them at the end of what has been yet another season of change on and off the pitch at their beloved club. With the away end decked out in pink as supporters raised funds and awareness for two local charities, Breast Cancer and Alice House Hospice and the club played their part by releasing pink-themed t-shirts with profits going to the charities.

Featherstone thanks supporters for their commitment throughout the season and on the final day of the campaign - and pleaded with the Pools faithful to back his successor and the team he pieces together.

Move forward

Speaking after Saturday’s defeat, he said: “I’m not going to stand here and analyse the game today. I’m not going to be here, a lot of the lads aren’t going to be here so there’s no point in analysing that today. What we have seen is a brilliant fanbase that have come and cheered the lads on and I think there were over 500 of them in fancy dress for a great cause so that’s the thing to cheer about today. I wanted to win, I wanted the 71 points to be honest. That was selfish of me, it was personal, that’s what I wanted but for them to come and see a goal is important but I wanted to win the game.

“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.”

Your next Hartlepool United read: Nicky Featherstone's final game in charge of Hartlepool United ends in 3-1 defeat at Boston United