GARY Coxall, the new chairman of Hartlepool United, has vowed to carry on the good work of the club’s former owners.

Pools takeover was completed yesterday, with the club now under the control of recruitment firm JPNG, who are based in both London and Dubai.

Increased Oil Recovery were in charge since 1997, their tenure ending in dramatic style after the club survived relegation from the Football League last season.

Since then, boss Ronnie Moore has signed six players, with the promise of more to come.

Coxall yesterday announced a reduction in match-day admission prices to £20 seating and £18 standing (£10 and £9 concessions).

And he explained: “We were interested in investing in a sports team around the county and it came to light that Hartlepool were seeking investors.

“The turnaround last season was phenomenal and that pushed it on for us and we felt we couldn’t turn the opportunity down.

“We have to understand this is a club in the heart of the community. The fans are a massive part and they showed at the end of last season what great fans they are and now we aim to go forward and make sure they feel part of the club.

“We are looking at various schemes to show that and hope that in the coming weeks what we are trying to introduce will show we are good owners and good custodians.’’

Coxall will be joined on the club’s board by Peter Goldberg, the JPGN finance director. Russ Green, Pools’ chief executive, remains in his position.

Outgoing Chairman Ken Hodcroft said: “I believe the club is on an excellent footing to do well in the upcoming campaign.

“The club has financial stability and we welcome JPNG to the world of football – we wish them and the club every success going forward.”

Coxall added: “On the field, everything will carry on, all the good work. We won’t interfere and we have a fantastic manager and assistant, we want to improve the income and the fans match-day experience.

“You feel the optimism and feel we can really crack on this year. We are looking at a very, very good season.

“With the legal side we have been going through it three or four months, it’s such a long process and this for me is Christmas Day, we have been waiting for it. All the things we planned we can get implemented.’’

While Moore seeks two wingers, a striker and a back up goalkeeper to further boost his new-look squad, Coxall added: “JPNG will not be coming in here to make wholesale changes; the players that Ronnie Moore targeted before we arrived are still the players he’ll be targeting going forward.

“We’re in a great position to progress the club now and Ronnie and Sam Collins can look forward to our full support as they continue to improve the squad ahead of the new campaign.’’