RICHARD MONEY applied for the Hartlepool United job two weeks ago. He was appointed yesterday. It was a job which was 20 months in the making.

When Pools suffered the hardest of blows and were relegated from the Football League in May 2017, Money felt that one day, the call to arms would arrive.

After achieving success at Luton and Cambridge, turning the fortunes of the former around in the National League and getting promotion from the division with the latter, Money can see the similar outlook at the Super 6 Stadium.

Now, after both Craig Harrison and Matthew Bates failed to make much headway in getting Pools back, the responsibility falls on the one-time Newcastle United Academy chief to turn their fortunes around.

“I said to the chairman and chief executive in interview – and this sounds very conceited and it’s not meant to be – but as soon as I saw Hartlepool relegated to the National League I thought this was my job at some time…. Here we are,’’ he mused.

The Northern Echo:

Richard Money the new Hartlepool United manager is introduced to the press at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd)

“I think and recognise as managers you get pigeon holed into a certain level. Managers in the lower divisions with success could be managing higher and don’t get a chance. Championship clubs feel they need Championship experience, even if it means failing.

“I’m pigeon holed as a manager in League One, League Two who has had some success in the National League. That being said, it would make sense for myself to look at jobs where you think you can be successful at.

“So far, I’ve done a pretty good job of finding and securing those jobs.’’

Money added: “Walsall had been relegated three divisions in two years and we won the League Two title. Luton were relegated four divisions in three years, a juggernaut going in the wrong direction and we make the play-offs twice without going up.

“Cambridge were out for nine years and we got over the line – there’s similarities between those three clubs and this is another in the mix.

“I’m under no illusions. People talk about Championship to Premier League the most difficult promotion, but that’s only because of the money involved. Trust me, this is the hardest to get out. The rules of the competition make it so.

“And every year there are clubs like us, who have fallen out of the league who are in a similar situation who all want the same thing.

“Every now and again you get a Salford, Fleetwood, Fylde, Fleetwood because the ambition here is huge. It’s tough to get out of.’’

Pools have found both last season and this just how tough it can be. A run of seven successive defeats saw off Bates.

The division is something of a graveyard for former Football League clubs, as they swop places with teams progressing through non league.

The Northern Echo:

Richard Money the new Hartlepool United manager is introduced to the press at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 11. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd)

The order has changed. Gone are Hartlepool United, Darlington, York City, Stockport County, Wrexham, Halifax and more. In are the likes of Forest Green Rovers, Crawley, Cheltenham, Fleetwood and AFC Wimbledon.

But still there’s a stain about being in this division. A mental test which the Pools hierarchy have spoken about in the last week. One which the players, supporters and all at the club have to get their heads around.

Director of football Craig Hignett mentioned it last week, chief executive Mark Maguire yesterday, Money followed.

“There is a stigma in non-league,’’ said the new manager, Pools’ fifth in under two years. “I know it. I looked at Luton’s squad when I went there. I took the job, looked at the group and thought as a relatively experienced manager it was about structure, organization and all going in the right direction.

“But the bigger you are the more the competition. Everywhere this club goes is a challenge. Opponents will raise their game, 20, 30, 40 per cent.

“They are not very nice environments – dressing rooms aren’t great, pitches are difficult. Not easy to deal with.

“So we have to get over it quickly and accept it. Get used to it. Not being disrespectful to anyone and Leamington on Saturday will be a tough one.

“Forget the past, doesn’t matter, I’m not interested. Think about tomorrow.’’

Money has enjoyed some battles with Pools in the past. He regularly appeared for Scunthorpe as a player, while also managing both Cambridge and Walsall.

“This club is a big club, a long-standing Football League club and it is attractive to so many,’’ he said. “We won at Swindon on the final day of the 2006/7 season with Walsall and pip Hartlepool to the title.

“We had a real good battle that season, competing well. Walsall are still there and unfortunately Hartlepool are not. Stadium, area, crowd and the potential of the crowd makes this a big attraction.

“This is an opportunity for more success and why it is an attractive proposition.

“It’s safe to say I know this division well. I have experience of clubs in this position, this is a big club and Luton is a monster. To take that job wasn’t easy at the time and I know exactly how the supporters will feel because it was the same.

“There’s a stigma about non-league – rightly or wrongly. It’s a prick to the ego that you are a none league club, but I know it’s easy to dismiss it and do so at your peril.’’