Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone says he is thrilled to have received the backing of the club's new owner. Featherstone was appointed Pools' permanent boss by Singh last month, following the departure of Simon Grayson in October. He had a video call with the new owner this week, while Smith also backed Featherstone in an open letter, external to the club's supporters. "As a manager new to this game, it's exactly what you want to hear," Featherstone told BBC Radio Tees. "The conversation I had with him privately was exactly what I wanted to hear and to back it up publicly is brilliant for me personally."

Source: BBC January 09, 2026 20:58 UTC