GETTING back to football management and reality was something of a relief for Ronnie Moore on Tuesday.

While his Hartlepool United team were winning at Fleetwood and York, the Pools’ boss was in Spain, where his daughter had been taken ill.

Charlotte Moore was admitted to hospital, while her dad was starting the season off at Victoria Park.

Now she’s back home and convalescing, Moore senior will be in the dug out at Stevenage tomorrow, aiming to make it five wins from five this season.

It will be a bit different to how he saw Pools win at York seven days ago.

“My missus gave me permission to go out for an hour and watch the game,’’ he said.

“It wasn’t easy, sitting there waiting for Jeff Stelling to tell me what’s going on and my heart is pounding like mad.

“I don’t think it was good idea on reflection – it might have been me who ended up in hospital!

“I just sat and had a pint with my father-in-law and watched the scores come in. I made the girl change the channel over from the West Ham game so I could see how we were getting on.

“The press officer asked me if I wanted to log on to the commentary of the game. “There was no chance of that, it’s bad enough when you don’t know what’s happening and can’t do anything, let alone listening to every kick.’’

He added: “One or two recognised me in the bar, especially when I’m on the phone cheering.

“I got a phone call to say we were 1-0 down from Russ (Green) – I told him not to ring back after that!

“I didn’t get involved though, no phone calls saying “Get him off!” or making substitutions!

“But everyone around was following it with us so it was good. When we got the winner there was a little scream and a shout – ‘another please barman, make it a large whisky!’ - it was a funny way to spend your afternoon.’’

After his enforced sabbatical from the game 12 months ago after his sacking by Tranmere, Moore is relishing his time back in football.

An enforced break from management last week was unexpected, but he was back to his effervescent self ahead of training yesterday.

“The welcome I got on Tuesday was fantastic,’’ he admitted.

“Let’s not forget what Sam (Collins) has done since I’ve been away – he has won those two games for us.

“They were two great games to win away from home – so I’ve won the home games and he’s done it away.

“We might be onto something there – we don’t know what to do on Saturday!

“‘We were fourth when I went away and fifth when I came back! So we’re back in third now, so there you go, that’s down to me!

“But Sam has done a brilliant job. That’s what he wants to be (a manager). He’s Hartlepool through and through and it was a good opportunity for him.’’

And, with his serious head on, Moore reflected on an unhappy family holiday.

“It was testing while I was away,’’ he mused. “It’s not nice when you have a problem with your family when they’re away on holiday. For a nine-year-old to develop pneumonia it’s not nice.

“She’s better. She will have an X-ray so we’ll know more then if she needs to go back into hospital or they change her medication.

“My wife, my father-in-law and my little girl went away to Alicante. She was there for two days and didn’t feel too good, she couldn’t breathe properly.

“She went into hospital and X-rays revealed pneumonia – that’s how quick it was.

“We’re just so thankful for the treatment of the people over there and thankfully now she’s going to make a full recovery.

“From the chairman down to the girls in the office, they have been fantastic and right behind me.

“But I’ve had messages from supporters of every club wishing my little girl well, which have been great.’’

Moore yesterday added to his ranks, when he signed centre-half Andrew Boyce from Scunthorpe on loan.

Pools have lost Harry Worley with an ankle injury picked up last weekend at York. Matthew Bates played at centre-half in the midweek win over Newport.

Moore said: “Harry is out for a couple of weeks, so Andrew has an opportunity to come in. We need to be strong and have strength in depth and we are a little bit weak in that area.

“Andrew is strong, big and suits what we are looking for. He’s a leader, a big defender which helps at this level.’’