THE MILL HOUSE Stand at Victoria Park is to be renamed in honour of former Hartlepool United manager Neale Cooper.

The popular Scot died last month and, following an outpouring of emotional tributes, the club has moved to ensure a lasting legacy.

The club has signed a new sponsorship deal with East Durham College and the Mill House Stand will now be officially titled The Neale Cooper Stand sponsored by East Durham College.

Cooper had two spells in charge of Pools and the 2003-04 and 04-05 seasons are the most successful in the club’s history.

Pools have recently moved training grounds from Maiden Castle in Durham to the East Durham College site in Peterlee.

A ceremony to rename the stand will take place before the pre-season friendly against Sunderland on Saturday, July 14, when members of Cooper’s family will be in attendance.

“We have taken our time to work out the best way of paying tribute to Neale and wanted to be guided by his family,” said Pools chief executive Mark Maguire.

“I’m delighted that members of Neale’s family have accepted an invitation to the match where we intend to formally open the stand with friends from East Durham College.

“It will be a poignant occasion when we can show Neale’s family exactly what he meant to everyone in Hartlepool and also make sure they know we will always cherish the memories he helped create.”