'He was a great man': Michael Nelson is taking Hartlepool United legend Neale Cooper's example as he heads into management

The former Pools centre-back was confirmed as new permanent manager at National League North club Blyth Spartans on Friday afternoon after initially taking over in a caretaker capacity in March.

Nelson became a firm favourite with the Victoria Park faithful as he made over 250 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2009.

The Gateshead-born defender was a key figure in Cooper’s squad that took Pools to within touching distance of a historic promotion into the Championship in 2005.

The Scot was in charge as the club reached the League One play-offs – but had departed by the time Sheffield Wednesday had ended Pools’ dreams of promotion with an agonising 4-2 win in the play-off final.

Nelson hailed the former Aberdeen midfielder – who passed away in 2018 – for his “love of the game” and expressed his desire to follow his lead in the dugout with Spartans.

He told The Mail: “Every day was a laugh with Neale and I don’t mean that we just went in and messed around.

“You knew that him and Martin Scott would put on upbeat training sessions and that there would be an element of fun.

“There was a great atmosphere and it was that atmosphere, and the character, passionate and honesty that Neale had, that helped us to success under him.

“There weren’t many bad points to him, and his love of the game was obvious to everyone.

“He was almost playing the game on the touchline, kicking every ball, heading every ball and that was infectious.

“He encouraged the social side of football, players and our wives went out for meals, and that forged a great camaraderie amongst the group.

“He was a great man and a great example of how a manager can lead a group of players and a club.”

Nelson confirmed that he would be extending his playing career into a third decade by combining off-field duties with his new managerial role at Croft Park.

The 40-year-old has undertaken two running challenges to support two charities – 4Louis and the Derby Rimmer MND Foundation - during the lockdown that has been imposed during the coronavirus epidemic.

He said: “I will register as a player – but I don’t really want to play.

“I want to assemble a squad that allows me to manage.

“But I accept there may be times when I have to because budget restraints will mean that we will run with a smaller squad, as will many teams around the country.

“I have been keeping fit during these crazy times by running for the 4Louis charity where I am a patron and I have registered for the ‘100km in May challenge’ for the Darby Rimmer Foundation.

“I played with Stephen Darby at Bradford City and I was talking to him about the challenge so it’s great to be taking part.”