Hartlepool United are pleased to confirm that Gary Liddle has been appointed First Team Coach.
Liddle joins Nicky Featherstone’s First Team coaching staff following his promotion from the role of Lead Professional Development Phase Coach within the Pools Academy.
He will depart his position as manager of Northern Premier League side Whitby Town to focus fully on his responsibilities with the First Team.
Liddle has a long-standing association with Hartlepool United, having made 364 senior appearances across three spells for the Club. He played a central role in the side that secured promotion back to the Football League in the 2021 National League Play-Off Final.
Across a 22-year playing career, Liddle made 813 senior appearances across league and cup competitions, featuring throughout the English Football League, National League and non-league game.
He began his coaching career with Whitby Town, where he was appointed player-manager in October 2024 and following his retirement from playing in February 2025, guided the club clear of relegation during the 2024/25 season.
In July 2025, Liddle returned to Hartlepool United as Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, working with Academy players and staff to support progression towards First Team football. He is currently completing his UEFA A Licence.
Talking about his appointment as Pools’ new First Team Coach, Gary Liddle said: “I’m really proud to be appointed First Team Coach at Pools. I know this Club extremely well and a large part of my adult and football life has been spent here, so it means a great deal to me.
“It’s been great to be back around the Club again through my work in the Academy and now I want to help Nicky take the First Team to where we believe it should be.”
“Nicky has been very clear about the standards, discipline and mentality he expects, and that’s something I fully believe in. He’s setting a culture where players understand what it means to represent this Football Club and the responsibility that comes with wearing the shirt.
“I’ve played alongside Nicky and know him well, and we share the same ideas about how the team should work, train and play. I’ve learned a lot through my time at Whitby Town and through my playing career, and I’m keen to bring that experience onto the training pitch and into the day-to-day work with the players.
“Between now and the end of the season, we’ll work closely together to maintain those standards and to bring the best out of the group, both on and off the pitch.”
Nicky Featherstone, Pools’ First Team Manager, said: “Bringing Gary into my coaching team is something I was keen to do and something we felt was right for the Football Club. We know each other well and he understands the demands of playing and working at Hartlepool United.
“His experience, his attention to detail on the training pitch and his understanding of the Club will strengthen the work we do day to day. He’s been here as a player, he knows what’s required and he’s shown through his work at our Academy and at Whitby Town that he can coach, develop and get the best out of players.
“Having someone with Gary’s background and approach around the group will be a real asset as we continue to push on for the rest of the season
