TWO years ago Ronnie Moore pulled off the Great Escape with Hartlepool United; and he is confident his former assistant has what it takes to be the next boss.

Pools were relegated to the National League on Saturday evening, dropping out of the Football League for the first time.

Sam Collins helped Moore drag Pools to safety in 2015, but the former centre-half, captain and caretaker boss was dumped by former boss Dave Jones in March.

Collins was working as the club’s Under-21s coach and appeared to have been earmarked for a key role under Jones before being dumped.

And Moore said: “One of the biggest mistakes Dave Jones made – and he made a few – was to let Sam go. He knew players, coached, played and the atmosphere changed when he left. You need someone like that batting on your side.

“Hignett, Jones, Coxall, the players, maybe in a roundabout way they are all to blame.

“Jones never bought into the club, he comes across and you hear so many things in football about Billy Big Time. He was alright when I met him, but the club is a homely one.

“Staff there are loyal, you have to have them on your side and for some reason it wasn’t right. If it’s not right it all starts there, you have to be happy going into work.’’

Collins is known to be keen on replacing Jones and returning to the club where he made 269 appearances after moving from Hull City in 2008, when Danny Wilson was in charge.

He was temporary manager for Pools’ convincing win over Stevenage in January, and was hopeful of being appointed permanently, before Jones took over.

Moore managed in the National League last season at Eastleigh and warned: “It’s a hard league, a big league. I was as Eastleigh so I know it. Look at Wrexham, Chester, clubs down there who have struggled and in the last two years Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham came back straight away- it is do-able, but you have to move sharpish.

“Who does the retained list? It’s needed ASAP to move the club in the best direction.’’

Moore, speaking on BBC Tees, added: “The Great Escape was something else. But the warning was there when I was there, two or three seasons clawing and hanging on.

“Players have to look after themselves. It’s not about playing for two games. Batesy has been in charge for the games, but they should have played all season for the club, themselves, fans. It’s been lacking.’’

And, Moore’s sentiments about the state of the club, managerless and without a chairman, were echoed by Chris Turner, another manager who pulled off an escape act when he kept Pools in the Football League in 1999.

“It’s heart-breaking, a very sad day. Ronnie achieved a miracle a couple of years ago and it’s Newport’s turn this time,’’ he mused.

“Off the field the club is in a mess. There’s been disharmony for a long time. When IOR gave the club away the fans have not been happy, that’s been shown. No manager, no real leaders and it’s a worrying time.

“The National League is tougher to get out of than it is to stay in League Two. Where have performances like Saturday’s been for 40-odd games?

“The off-field situation has to be resolved. Boardroom matters have to be resolved before a manager is appointed. The finances have to be rolled out, there’s a 100 per cent parachute payment them it goes down to 50 per cent.

“The National League has a lot of clubs spending a lot of money to get out of it.

“You bring someone in to recruit and what’s the budget for next season? Are there more tax problems ahead? Who knows. Owners have to sell to bring in new ownership and the fans have to be included.

“Then go forward and get a manger to get out of the division in a one/two year period – they cannot be in there long-term.’’