HARTLEPOOL UNITED entered a new chapter when a dramatic day at Victoria Park ended with a different manager and chairman after owners Increased Oil Recovery relinquished control of the club.

The experienced Ronnie Moore was installed as Paul Murray’s successor after an incredible turn of events in which it was also confirmed that TMH 2014 Limited had completed a takeover of Pools.

Peter Harris, 44, the only shareholder of the newly-created Warwickshire-based business TMH, has taken on chairman responsibility from the departed Ken Hodcroft, who leaves the club after 17 years at the helm. Russ Green will remain as chief executive.

Hodcroft, who has come under increased fire from the fans after a slide to the bottom of League Two, is understood to have secured a good deal for the club and tried hard to ensure the staff behind the scenes have been looked after.

But after weeks of supporters questioning what direction Pools were heading under his chairmanship, he has taken the decision to sell and businessman Harris has the responsibility of trying to engineer a survival act.

His first move was to confirm the arrival of Moore, despite seriously considering two former Middlesbrough assistant managers with Hartlepool connections: Mark Venus and Craig Hignett.

“We believe that having Ronnie in charge will give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Football League and we will provide him with all the support he needs to help him achieve that,” said Harris, expected to reveal more about the new owners and plans at a press conference this morning.

“He is a very experienced manager, which is something we felt was needed but he’s also a tough character who is very much prepared for the battle ahead.”

Moore inherits a squad that has not won a League Two game since October 11, a woeful run has left them six points adrift of safety at the foot of the division with Christmas approaching. His first game will be when Oxford arrive on Saturday.

He will not be able to make many adjustments to his playing staff until the transfer window opens on January 1, but The Northern Echo understands there has already been significant progress made on potential signings.

Moore, who watched Saturday’s horrendous showing at Burton which ended in a 4-0 defeat, has been looking to get back in to management since he was sacked by Tranmere in April for admitting breaking Football Association betting rules; even though the bets were minimal and largely on behalf of his family.

He will be paraded at Victoria Park alongside his new assistant Sam Collins – along with Harris and Green - at 10am this morning and he recently revealed a desire to build on a career spanning more than 900 games after spells with Rotherham, Oldham and Tranmere.

“I want to get back in to managing, I can’t deny that,” said Moore. “There is no way I am willing to end my career on this note. I want to continue my career and reach that elusive 1,000 game as a manager because I’m telling you it won’t be done again.

“Such are the expectations and demands for instant success, managers are sometimes getting only weeks in charge. It’s ludicrous. It’s not just at Premier League clubs, it’s the same in League Two.”

After beginning his managerial career with Southport, the Liverpudlian, whose son Ian played for Pools in 2007-08, went on to lead Rotherham to back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship. He also had three successive top-half finishes with Tranmere.

Moore, close to getting the Darlington job a few years ago, will now be looking to strike a good understanding with Pools' new owners, provided the Football League approve, as expected, the takeover.

Hodcroft, who led Hartlepool to within eight minutes of Championship football in 2005, issued a departing statement on behalf of the club’s owners long-serving previous owners IOR.

It read: “IOR announce with regret that, after being involved with Hartlepool United Football Club since September 1997 (17 years), that the decision has been made to sell its shareholding in the club to TMH 2014 Limited.

“IOR wishes the new owners every success and would like to thank all of the staff at the club for giving them 100 per cent support over the years, which has been appreciated more than words can say. We wish them and the team every success for the future.”

l Pools have slashed ticket prices for Moore’s first two home games with Oxford this Saturday and then Morecambe on December 28. Fans can pay £10 individually or purchase both for £15 if bought in advance from the ticket office.

New chairman Harris said: “We’re looking for the whole town to get right behind the football club now and hopefully this offer can attract as many fans to The Vic as possible. We understand the club’s supporters can play a key role in our drive away from the bottom of the table and that starts this weekend.”