Hartlepool United are pleased to confirm our complete first team staff under new manager Darren Sarll ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Sarll has named Carl Dickinson as his assistant manager, having managed the former defender during his time at Yeovil Town where they made the 2020 National League play-offs.
Dickinson made over 600 appearances in a playing career spanning 20 years. He played in the Premier League and Championship for the likes of Stoke City, Barnsley, Portsmouth and Watford before later representing Port Vale and Notts County. After hanging up his playing boots, Dickinson moved into various coaching and strength & conditioning roles.
Pools midfielder Nicky Featherstone has also signed a new dual contract at the Suit Direct Stadium to become a player-coach for the upcoming campaign.
The 35-year-old will enter his 11th season in the blue and white, having originally joined back in October 2014. Since then, Featherstone has amassed a staggering 416 appearances for the Club, sitting sixth in the all-time list.
Former Newcastle and Manchester United shot-stopper Paul Woolston will remain at the Suit Direct Stadium as goalkeeping coach, having joined Pools back in January.
Ben Daniel will enter his second season as first team analyst while Danny O'Connor remains as the Club’s Head Physio.
Former Pools manager Ronnie Moore, who most notably masterminded the Club's survival in the Football League in 2015, will hold the position of Chief Scout and forms a key part of the recruitment team managed by Head of Football Operations Joe Monks.
Finally, Lennie Lawrence will remain in a supporting role and as mentor to the football staff. Vastly experienced, Lawrence has managed over 1000 games in his career including winning promotion to the newly formed Premier League back in 1992 with Middlesbrough, as well holding various coach, manager and director roles at the likes of Bradford, Charlton, Luton, Cardiff and Crystal Palace.
Commenting on his backroom staff, Pools manager Darren Sarll said:
“I’m delighted that we have secured and retained our targeted staff well in advance of pre-season starting. It gives us an organised backdrop both in terms of recruitment and season planning.
“Carl will be a fantastic addition to the Club. He has experience from the very top of the game to call upon and represents skillsets with coaching but also strength & conditioning, which is a point that I am keen to address – we have to better meet the physical demands to be successful in this league.
“I’m equally pleased that Nicky has taken up his new dual role. He has an incredible amount of experience at this level and knows the Club so well. A transitional player-coach position is the ideal way to harness that. He will have key role in creating the right culture and helping players understand what it means to represent Pools.
“Overall we have an excellent complement of staff both new and retained, which is comparable with most EFL clubs. There is also a good balance with youth and experience that should hold us in good stead for the challenge ahead. Our work has already begun.”
