RUSS Green has left his position as chief executive at Hartlepool United.

The long-serving club figurehead resigned on Friday, when he departed Victoria Park for the final time.

It is understood that Green has decided to seek a fresh challenge after 14 years with the club.

His departure is likely to be confirmed on Monday in a statement agreed with Green and chairman Gary Coxall.

Green instigated the club’s takeover last June, as IOR Ltd and chairman Ken Hodcroft were replaced by Coxall and JPNG.

As the club looked for fresh investment, Green did find new buyers in December 2014, but a proposed deal with a consortium calling themselves TMH – The Monkey Hangers – stalled and failed to go ahead.

He was then introduced to Coxall and JPNG, and the chairman and Green formed a close working relationship over the last 12 months.

Green, towards the end of last season, completed a near 300-mile charity walk in aid of prostate cancer from Victoria Park to Wembley alongside Jeff Stelling, the club’s honorary president and a close friend.

Green joined Pools in 2002, initially as commercial manager and was appointed chief executive three years later.

He has resigned previously, in 2010 when he seemed set for Sheffield Wednesday alongside the club’s then director of sport Chris Turner, only to return to his role and he was named chief executive of the year at the FC Business Awards in 2015.