Pools bond at the top appears to have been cut

For a decade now it has been assumed that Chris Turner and Hartlepool United owners IOR, and particularly chairman ken Hodcroft, go together, in the words of the song, like a horse and carriage. Many Pools fans believe that it was the bond between Hodcroft and Turner that saw the ex-boss return as Director of Sport and then move back to team boss when Danny Wilson was shown the door.

Many others believe that bond kept Turner (right) in a job last season.
But there are signs now that there are cracks in the relationship.
In the summer of 2009, Turner was able to sign virtually a new team.
In the summer of 2010, after Pools survived in League One by the skin of their teeth, he has signed a reserve goalkeeper and, very late in the day, three outfield players.
There is a theory that if he had got it right in 2009 he might not have had to make any signings at all this summer, but the truth is that the Pools squad does not have enough strength on depth and Turner has several times made it clear he wants to sign more players.
But after weeks of speculation over a takeover at the club which never materialised, Turner has been unable to make the moves he wanted to.
After Saturday's goalless draw at Rochdale, where Pools really should have won, he said: "The difference between the bottom eight of League One and top eight of League One is finishing and taking your chances.
"We can develop a well-organised, well-drilled team. If we can get the final third right, we'd have the chances to move into the top ten.
"But if we don't score goals, we're not going anywhere."
Knee injuries are currently preventing strikers Adam Boyd and James Brown from training properly and from playing full 90-minute games, and Turner is a frustrated man.
In the past he has been able to turn to Hodcroft for help.
The signs are those days may well be over as IOR appear to be looking for new owners and aren't keen on splashing the cash while they look.