Nicky Featherstone calls for clarity for Hartlepool United squad as Bromby and Partners plan next move
Nicky Featherstone has made an appeal to Hartlepool United ahead of Tuesday’s home game with Southend United.
Outgoing Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone has called for Bromby and Partners to provide clarity to his squad after it was confirmed he would leave his role at the end of the season.
The Pools stalwart stepped up as interim manager following the departure of former boss Simon Grayson in October and was handed the role on a permanent basis after overseeing a seven-game unbeaten run that raised hopes he could guide the club into the National League play-off places during the second half of yet another season of change at the Prestige Group Stadium.
The arrival of new owner and chairman Landon Smith and a number of new additions to the Pools ranks increased the positivity around supporters, coaches and players alike - but some damaging defeats in recent weeks and months have meant the top seven has remained out of reach. Smith has utilised the services of the Bromby and Partners advisory firm to ‘lead and support transition in the club’s football department’ ahead of the summer and their first major decision was confirmed last week when it was announced Featherstone would not be retained as first-team manager.
That decision was officially announced just 24 hours before Saturday’s impressive home win against play-off bound Forest Green Rovers as goals from Adam Campbell and Reiss McNally helped Pools to a first win in five games. All focus is now on Tuesday night’s home game with Southend United and Featherstone has urged Smith and Bromby and Partners to provide some clarity to the Pools squad over their own futures at the Prestige Group Stadium.
Speaking to BBC Tees Sport in the aftermath of the win, Featherstone said: “It’s not my decision, I won’t comment on who should be here and who won’t be because that’s totally out of my control and out of respect for that group I wouldn’t do that. But there are plenty of players capable in that dressing room that if I was here I would have kept a lot of them. We need improving in areas but that’s not my position to say now.
“It’s left to Bromby and Partners to decide that, who comes in and who doesn’t, who stays and who doesn’t. They have a tough job on their hands now because we are slightly behind schedule now. I think it’s only fair on the lads they get a bit of clarity. I’ve had it and it’s important they do now. I’m in a position where I know what’s happening with me and that I won’t be leading the team. I think it’s important that group gets a bit of clarity and I’ll try and look after the group in terms of how they train and how they apply themselves between now and the end of the season because we’ve got two big games and if we can take four to six points it’s a pretty good return from where we were.”
Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United manager 'gutted' by news of impending departure but Pools rally to beat Forest Green Rovers