Great Scott! Martin unveiled as Pools Boss

By Albatross
June 18 2005

It's taken a little longer than many had hoped, but Hartlepool United have finally confirmed that Martin Scott has been appointed as Manager at Victoria Park. It's great news for Scotty, who has worked his way up from Youth Team coach - and looks set to be a popular appointment with the fans.

A Sheffield lad, Full-Back Scott started his career with Rotherham and made over 100 appearances for them before being picked up by Bristol City for a six figure fee in 1990. Four years at Ashton Gate - and almost 200 starts - was ended when Sunderland bought him, with £450K and Gary Owers heading in the other direction.

However his time at Sunderland was blighted with injury. He played in the side that won the Division 1 title back in 1995/6, played in the Premiership the following season - but although he made ove 100 appearances for the Black Cats he was released at the end of 1999 - an ankle injury proved the final straw, leaving him needing extensive rehabilitation.

Nevertheless when he arrived at Pools it was initially to train with the squad - he was hoping to get fit enough to play part time somewhere, and he turned out in a couple of friendlies. His lucky break came when Mick Smith left his post as Youth Coach; Chris Turner asked Scotty to fill in, that became a permanent job, and since then he's been working his way up through the coaching structure. Two years as assistant to Neale Cooper - and of course his spell as Caretaker, leading us to our first ever Playoff Final - have done enough to convince the board that he's the man to take Pools forward.

I'm personally very pleased that Scotty has got the job. He provides continuity, he's obviously liked by a number of players, and will know better than any other candidate for the job what needs to be done. His success with the youth team, and to an extent with the reserves have shown that he knows his way around the coaching side of things as well as anyone - and now he gets the chance to show how well he can do the top job at Pools.