Joe Parkinson Leaves Pools
Hartlepool United can confirm that Joe Parkinson has left his role as assistant manager at the club.
Dave Challinor spoke about Joe’s departure:
Joe has unfortunately left the club but goes with everyone’s best wishes and on very good terms. The past 18 months has been really tough for everyone but with the travelling, being away from family, COVID, huge stress of a promotion campaign and some medical issues that Joe is currently dealing with, he felt the need to have to step away.
I don’t want to speak for him but he feels he’s not able to do his job to the detail and high standards that he’s set. I must place on record that although we understand the situation he is in, we as a management group never felt or noticed this and he’s been thoroughly professional in everything he has done and continued to be a huge help whilst he’s internally been struggling.
We are all disappointed, myself in particular, as although he’s been told, he’ll maybe never understand the role he played in our success, not only last season but since we both came to the club. I place a lot of responsibility on my management group, we are a team off the pitch just as the players are on the pitch and a valuable member has been lost.
Personally, we’ve shared a house together, a car together, an office and a changing room together. Along with bus trips, overnight stays and some long days and although he’s an Evertonian we’ve got on surprisingly well!! He’ll be sorely missed by everyone but we’ve created memories for ourselves and others that will last a lifetime. We’ll keep in touch, he’ll still come to some games I’m sure and you can never say never in football but for the meantime on behalf of everyone I’d just like to say Thanks Joe and Good Luck.
We will look at what happens next in terms of bringing another body in but won’t be rushed into making an important decision.
Joe Parkinson spoke about leaving the club:
I have seen what the Gaffer said, and they are very kind words. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. Just like the manager said, I have had a few issues and now, I don’t feel like I can do the job I was brought in to do. The distance from home has been a problem as well as I’ve missed my family very much.
The decision certainly became harder with the success we have enjoyed at Hartlepool. The promotion final win was probably one of the biggest achievements in my career. I will always have a soft spot for this club.
I would like to thank the manager, the coaches and all the staff inside the club who have all been very supportive. I would like to thank the fans who again have been fantastic and really got us over the line in Bristol. I will keep checking the results every Saturday to see how the lads are getting on.
Up the Pools!
Everyone at Hartlepool United would like to thank Joe for all his hard work and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.