New Hartlepool United owner Landon Smith insists manager Nicky Featherstone 'has my full support'
New Hartlepool United owner Landon Smith insisted manager Nicky Featherstone "has my full support" as he spoke to the Hartlepool Mail for the first time since completing his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve.
Pools are embarking on a brand new era led by a familiar face in Featherstone, who is the club's third highest appearance-maker or all-time and has spent more than a decade at Victoria Park, as well as a new one in Smith, who is the co-founder of American real estate company Tailwind Group.
Following a turbulent end to controversial former owner Raj Singh's almost eight years at the club, Pools fans are hoping Smith can be the man to bring hope, belief and, crucially, success back to Victoria Park.
Off the pitch, Smith is set to inherit a whole host of challenges as he looks to move past Singh's legacy, which still looms large over Victoria Park, and begin implementing his own vision as he bids to lead Pools back to the Football League.
It goes without saying that it will take Smith time to get things right in the North East - indeed, the American only arrived in Hartlepool on Friday morning as he prepares to attend this weekend's visit of Altrincham, the first home game since he bought the club from Singh.
Many of the problems that have plagued Pools for a long time haven't gone away overnight and Smith will have to work hard to restore the club's standing and reputation, instill a footballing identity, provide structure and stability and unite a fanbase that was ravaged by almost unparalleled division and discontent towards the end of Singh's tumultuous tenure.
In the long run, solid foundations and a clear footballing identity - as well as, crucially, sufficient financial backing - are likely to translate to success on the pitch. Yet it is also vital that Smith ensures the fanbase remains on his side throughout the transitional period that is sure to be required - and in order to do that, supporters will have to see at least a level of progress in terms of results and performances.
All eyes, then, will surely be on Featherstone, who has been in charge of Pools since replacing Simon Grayson, initially on an interim basis, in October.
Much like his playing career - the 37-year-old has had more than his fair share of critics but is generally regarded as one of the club's staunchest ever servants, making more than 450 appearances at Victoria Park - Featherstone has endured an up-and-down start to life as Pools manager.
While a run of seven National League matches unbeaten during a successful eight-week stint as caretaker boss saw Pools revive their faltering play-off hopes, Featherstone has overseen humbling cup exits at the hands of Northern Premier League opponents - Pools were dumped out of the FA Cup by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity before being on the wrong end of a huge shock in the FA Trophy against Northern Premier League Division One Midlands minnows Anstey Nomads - as well as last weekend's 4-0 drubbing at Woking, which he described as the most embarrassing moment of his life.
What it all means is that Pools have a lot of work to do if they're to overhaul seventh-placed Southend, who are four points clear with three games in hand, while also fending off stiff competition from the likes of Halifax and Solihull Moors. Yet it feels important that Pools do at least keep in touch with the chasing pack and give themselves something to play for in the final weeks of the season, with Saturday's visit of strugglers Altrincham followed by another home game against rock-bottom Gateshead, who have lost all of their last 12 matches, providing Featherstone's side with the perfect chance to launch their assault on the top seven.
Ahead of what promises to be a momentous weekend for all sorts of reasons, few are better placed to understand the emotional resonance of Saturday's match than Featherstone, who has been promoted, relegated, scapegoated, hailed as a hero, written-off, released and returned in triumph during his 11 years at Victoria Park.
While Smith will, in all likelihood, have to make a difficult decision about whether or not he feels Featherstone is the right man to lead Pools beyond this summer, the new owner threw his support behind the boss ahead of Saturday's much-anticipated clash with Altrincham.
"Nicky has my full support - now, in January, and through to the end of the season as we chase a play-off spot," he said.
"The conversation we had was good, on a personal level we're relatively the same age, we're at the same spot in life and we're both turning a new page and starting something new. Some of the similarities are exciting, there's a lot to look forward to."