, Hartlepool United appoint 43-year-old in key role – recently departed League Two rivals

Hartlepool United appoint 43-year-old in key role – recently departed League Two rivals

Hartlepool United have named Darren Kelly as their new sporting director, it has been confirmed.

Hartlepool United are fighting to maintain their League Two status after a dismal campaign to date and new boss John Askey will be hoping to lead the Pools away from the drop over the final months of the season.

Askey will need any help he can get though, with the club now just two points ahead of Crawley Town, who have four games in hand.

The arrival of a new sporting director will hopefully get the Pools moving in the right direction, with the appointment of Darren Kelly confirmed on Tuesday morning.

As announced on the club’s official website, Kelly comes in as the new sporting director at Victoria Park to work closely with the club hierarchy and new manager Askey. He will oversee scouting, recruiting, contract negotiations, academy development and more.

Kelly comes in after it was confirmed he would be leaving League Two rivals Newport County last week.

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, Hartlepool United appoint 43-year-old in key role – recently departed League Two rivals

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Kicking on with Kelly…

There’s no doubt that the immediate aim for Hartlepool United is the fight against relegation. That will be the number one priority until the end of the season, but Kelly’s appointment shows the hierarchy are still looking beyond that.

Bringing in a sporting director like Kelly will hopefully get the club moving back in the right direction too. His experience in the role and contacts in the game should see better footballing decisions made, with questionable moves made over the course of this season in terms of management and recruitment especially.

Come the summer, new sporting director Kelly and co will hopefully have a solid plan for what the future looks like at Victoria Park, regardless of which division they find themselves in.

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