HARTLEPOOL UNITED, the football club where the chairman and manager use Twitter to interact directly with supporters.

Boss Ronnie Moore has long used the social media platform to thank fans for their support and keep them informed with where he is with signings and transfer targets.

And now, since taking over the club in the last week, Gary Coxall has been inundated with tweets, admitting he’s enjoying the interaction.

Coxall, who fronted up the takeover of the club by JPNG Recruitment, reflected: "With social media, there is no reason not to communicate with the fans.

"All you are doing is connecting with them, thanking them. You need to be approachable and open to people's views.

"Whether you agree with them, they are the people that pay their money.

"People have found me on Twitter and they have been tweeting me, sending me good wishes.

"It is only right I respond to them. I didn't have time for dinner the other day, I was too busy tweeting!

"People couldn't believe the chairman was tweeting them back, but I am only Gary Coxall - it is not like meeting the King!’’

Pools, under IOR were often accused of running a closed shop, with little direct supporter interaction. But that policy of former chief Ken Hodcroft did work for the club during the good times, it’s only when things go wrong it really becomes an issue.

But, while certainly in his honeymoon period, Coxall has no problem with opening up – and it can only be for the benefit of all.

"There is an emphasis now on keeping the fans informed,’’ he said. "We are one club and we all have a part to play.

"JPGN has to play its part and I do to, improving the club commercially. What can we improve?

"I have pages of ideas. 90% of them could be useless and a fan could come along and say this.

"You have to listen to the fans."

The new chairman responded to submitted questions from supporters on the club’s website on Thursday evening, admitting that he was declared bankrupt in 2005, being wholly discharged six years later.

He answered: “I have absolutely nothing to hide and I’m not ashamed by it at all, nor should anyone who’s been bankrupt be. Basically, a venture hit a very difficult time and had a knock-on effect back in 2005. It hit me hard and I was determined to learn from it, meaning I had to start again since being discharged in 2011 and grow up. I still say that if I hadn’t learned from a bankruptcy then I would never be in a position to own/chair a football club, so I have to say that I’m also proud of myself and the people around me that supported me.’’

Coxall, joined at the club by director Peter Goldberg, has a number of ideas and initiatives to announce in the coming days and weeks.

He’s already entered discussions with the council over the future of Victoria Park and said: “We have to listen to ideas, the fans are those who pay their money.

“It’s crazy, I’m so excited. I tweeted that I couldn’t sleep and adrenalin was flowing. I thinking about tomorrow all day.

“After the press conference on Wednesday, I’ve had meetings in Newcastle, then flew to London for meetings. I need to show the same enthusiasm as the players and supporters – it’s the only way we can progress.

“I can’t influence on the pitch, but can off it. Saying that, I’m more than happy to play!