A LITTLE over a week into his new role, and Dave Jones is already making key changes at Hartlepool United.

The club has long trained at Maiden Castle in Durham, which is the sporting arm of the University.

But from next week, the Pools’ squad will shift across the city to use the Racecourse, which is also part of the University facilities, but separated from the open outlook at Maiden Castle.

The Northern Echo:

“We will be moving training ground next week – we have a great facility here, but it’s a public facility,’’ said Jones. “If we want a meeting we are relying on a room to be free. Eating, we can’t always eat together.

“I want to build an environment for the club, an atmosphere which is ours and it all adds to the DNA of the club – a culture, a philosophy which is Hartlepool United.

“The lads doing it are working overtime for us, I’ve cracked the whip! You are at your strongest when you are new, so why not now? I’ve been around a long time and I can only ask… God help them if they don’t deliver!’’

The historic venue is being renovated to Pools’ liking, with the club’s youth-teamers chipping in and doing their bit.

"The kids painted the dressing-rooms this week and they could be sitting in them in six months,’’ admitted Jones.

"There was probably more paint on them than on the walls but what a great feeling if that happens.

"They've done it and we were there helping them, we're not frightened to get our hands dirty.

"We are all in it together, that's what I want here.

"If you go to Southampton, Wolves, Wednesday you can guarantee things I implemented will still be there.

"It's the right thing to do.

"You don't build a house and don't put a kitchen in it, you put everything you need into it.

"That's what I'm doing here, I'm putting in place all the things that are needed.

"There may be something I miss, I'm always ready to listen.’’

Jones, 60, is well-versed in management, and Pools are calling on his experience and nous to help shape the club from top to bottom.

And, while it’s fashionable to dismiss older managers in favour of younger models, Jones said: "This is the problem with football, because people see you've been in football for years they think you are 'old school'.

"Far from it, I'm probably more progressive than young people coming in.

"Some think people like me are stuck in your ways, I'm definitely not that. If I'm stuck in my ways, I wouldn't be bringing in someone like Coops.

"We are looking at everything here, the physios, re-hab, if it's right it stays, if we don't think it's right we move on.

"I look through young eyes, my body might not look young, but my eyes are.

"I don't feel my age, I have a buzz doing this.’’