CRAIG Harrison has been confirmed as the new Hartlepool United manager.

The former Middlesbrough defender moves from TNS, the League of Wales champions.

TNS, they have been crowned Welsh Premier League champions six times, won four Welsh Cups and two Welsh League Cups, while breaking Ajax’s world record for successive top flight victories with 27 consecutive wins.

Gateshead-born, Harrison, 39, saw his playing days ended by an horrific double leg break while playing for Crystal Palace.

He made 24 appearances for Boro from 1996-2000, part of the promotion-winning squad of 1998 when he played alongside former Pools boss Craig Hignett, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson.

Appointed The New Saints boss in 2011, Harrison has steered the divison’s only full-time club in the qualifying stages of the Champions League.

"I would personally like to thank Craig for all of the success he has brought to the club in the five years or so he has been with us and I wish him all the very best in his new role with Hartlepool United,'' said The New Saints’ Chairman Mike Harris.