JEFF STELLING, Hartlepool United’s president, has stepped down from his role in the wake of his side’s latest humbling, with Dave Jones, sacked last night, accusing him of a lack of respect.

Within minutes of Pools losing to Barnet, and dropping into the League Two relegation zone, the Sky Sports presenter blasted boss Jones for leading Pools into the bottom two.

On Soccer Saturday, Stelling, now appointed honorary president of the club’s Supporters Trust, raged against the manager, who was last night replaced for the final games of the season.

Stelling said: “We have lost at home, in the relegation places, and it’s not personal but for God’s sake for the good of the club go now. Walk now. It’s 13 points from 51 this is not your level of football. Pam Duxbury (financial director), the chairman Gary Coxall if he won’t walk then sack him. If it means me resigning as president then I do so happily – do it now, do it today.’’

Stelling, Hartlepool born and bred, whose son travelled alone from the family home in Hampshire for Saturday’s game, soon informed club officials he was standing down.

Chairman Gary Coxall has since tried to smooth the situation over and been in regular contact with Stelling.

In an interview with The Northern Echo two weeks ago, Stelling stopped short of offering praise for Jones.

His programme notes on Saturday described defeat at Orient as “the worst East End horror story since Jack The Ripper.’’

Jones took the step of stopping his players from reading the programme before the game after seeing Stelling’s words.

The Pools boss also came under fire during the 2-0 defeat as fans called for his head.

But, speaking after the game, he insisted he would not be walking away: “Why should I not carry on?

“Jeff Stelling (laughs) says that. Get rid of me… you got rid of Higgy, got rid of Ronnie Moore, and everyone else before that.

“There’s a common denominator here, look at it and figure it out.

“It’s OK Jeff Stelling saying it in his comfy chair. He doesn’t know. He says you should play this person, that person, he doesn’t know the parameters of what goes on. Are they ill? Are they injured?

“So Jeff Stelling that’s fine for him to say; in fact it’s a lack of respect for me. A lack of respect for me what he said. Why should he say that? It’s a lack of respect.

“Did he say that about the previous people or whatever? It’s a lack of respect. He’s not phoned me – phone me.

“But I’m not listening to people like that, sitting there and judging people. He’s not aware of what’s going on in the week.

“A few weeks ago he sat with me after the Crewe game and was crowing, throwing bouquets and everything.

“Why does he change? I expect brickbats now, but it’s not for him to say. He has an opinion and because he has an opinion is it right? No it’s not.

“I don’t criticise him or have a go at him. The only person I criticise is myself.

“Until the chairman tells me different I fight on.’’

Jones, appointed in January, won only three games in sole control, and performances of late have been woeful.

But he added: “I’ve never given up anything,. My life is riddled with things I don’t give up on, so if the players had that then they would be fine.

“What do you do… change the manager again, change the coaching staff again? It ain’t my players, that’s what I’ve been dealt with. Bring back previous people, it’s their players.

“Whatever you want to say, I will stand by them and fight with them, if they don’t want to fight with me they can do that. What do you change? How many managers have they had in five years, they keep doing it.

“Do it all over again and again? Have a think about what’s happening. The players get away with it, someone new comes in then it’ll be another reason, another excuse. Stop that. Grow up, fight for your lives, that’s what I’m doing.

“I’m fighting for my life I want them behind me.

“It’s the worst position I’ve ever been in.

“I want more fight from my dressing room and I’ve never had that before.

“You learn as you go along, but don’t forget I’m putting my neck on the line here, a reputation. I did it, so don’t say I don’t care.

“You get the stupid comments that there’s no passion and all this crap that goes with it. Rubbish, not right. Then people like Jeff Stelling passing comments because he’s on national TV.

“So he’s right? No he’s not. No right to say it, not in a position to say it. I never criticise him when he makes a mistake or whatever. He’s such a big hero, but I’ll go up against him.

“Does he say it about anyone else? Wenger? It’s not his job, it’s his job to report. President here or not, he hasn’t phoned me.

“So three or four weeks ago he’s sat crowing about five games without losing, how we’ve changed it around. What’s changed? I haven’t changed, or has he forgotton that?

“Spur of the moment. I’m fighting for my life… how about a bit of support Jeff rather than the rubbish you are giving out?’’