By Alex Narey
Ronnie Moore believes he's the man to lead the Hartlepool United revival – and egos must be put aside to save the club.
Moore, 65, spent two years at Victoria Park after joining in December 2014, saving the club from relegation in his first season before leaving by mutual consent midway through the following campaign.
But after the sacking of Craig Harrison this week, the experienced Moore is eyeing a return as Pools fight for survival both on and off the pitch.
Currently sitting just three points above the relegation zone in the National League, the club is also trying to raise funds to pay off an outstanding tax bill as they seek to find an investor to help steer them away from a winding-up order, set with deadline of March.
Speaking to The NLP, Moore said: “I would love to help the club. Everyone else is putting their hat into the ring, so why shouldn't I? People say you should never go back to where you have been before, but I had three spells at Tranmere and two at Rotherham, so that's a fallacy.
“We need to do what is best for Hartlepool United and I believe I can help them. Whatever is going on off the pitch is another matter, but on the pitch we need to make sure the club does not get relegated.
“Look at National League North; look at some of those clubs down there – the likes of York, Stockport, Southport…it is such a tough league and so difficult to get out of.”
After the club was put up for sale in December, Pools have endured a series of crushing lows with results as they slip towards the relegation trapdoor, and Harrison's nine-month tenure came to an end after their midweek 2-0 loss on the road to fellow strugglers FC Halifax.
Stability
Last week, there was some hope for fans regarding the future ownership of the club, with Ostersunds chairman Daniel Kindberg confirming he was in talks about a takeover. But Moore is adamant matters need addressing quickly on the football side.
“I have experience of managing in this league, all be it briefly with Eastleigh, and I know what it takes to do the job,” added Moore.
“I feel like I left Hartlepool too soon and that wherever I have been as a manager, I have improved fortunes and left clubs in a better position than when I took over.
“I hear Paul Ince and Lee Clark have been mentioned as possibilities. That's great for the long-term, but the club needs fixing now! The fans deserve so much better here.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday
