HARTLEPOOL UNITED boss Matthew Bates feels the club has come through its troubled times of last season and is ready to go again.

After he yesterday completed his fourth summer signing – Gateshead midfielder Paddy McLaughlin following Andrew Davies to the club – Bates was at the club’s new training ground at East Durham College in Peterlee.

Pools have ended their long association at Maiden Castle, the sporting arm of Durham University, to be closer to home.

It looked at times last season, while the club imploded, as if there was no future. But the takeover from Raj Singh has brought some much-needed stability and leadership to Victoria Park.

And Bates, appointed permanent boss at the end of last season, admitted: “It feels like a different club from this time last season.

“We have a new training ground, which has been in the pipeline for some time. It gives a fresh feel.

“We have a lot of the squad who were here last season and the last thing we wanted was them to come in and think 'here we go again'. So for us it was about having a fresh start with the new owner, new coach, new training ground and new squad.

“Start again, start afresh - we need to make this a different club to the one we have become over the last few years.’’

McLaughlin was an ever-present for Gateshead last season. He started his career at Newcastle and has been a National League regular with spells at both Grimsby and York.

Bates said: “He will bring experience - he played 56 games last season.

“He is fit and reliable. A great set piece taker who will chip in with assists and goals. He is another who is good in the dressing room. A good type, which is what I think we need here.

“Every player that we have signed has had options elsewhere or have had offers to stay at their club - Paddy was one of them.

“Players have wanted to come here, they all have had options and this club still has a pull in this division. I was speaking to Paddy on Saturday and he said the first time he played at the Vic was on New Year’s Day and it felt like a big game, a big club. We have that about us, but it doesn’t count for anything, it’s the present and the future which counts.’’

Midfielder Nicky Featherstone will be staying at Victoria Park. He signed a new deal yesterday and Bates said: “Nicky has renewed for another year, good news and he’s taken a drop in wages which shows his commitment to the club and to me as a manager.’’