NEW HARTLEPOOL UNITED owners JPNG have already entered into talks with town council chiefs.

JPNG and chairman Gary Coxall will meet the media at their first press conference this afternoon, and their arrival in town has been welcomed by civic leaders.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Hartlepool Council leader and council colleagues welcomed Coxall and fellow director Peter Goldberg to the Civic Centre for a meeting this week.

Akers-Belcher said: “We met the new chairman Gary Coxall and Peter Goldberg earlier this week. It was a very positive meeting and an excellent start to forging a healthy working relationship.

“The new owners have a very clear view of how they want to take the football club forward and they recognise the importance of embracing fans and the local community in achieving their goals.

“We have emphasised to the new owners that Hartlepool Council has always fully appreciated the benefits of having a successful football league club and this is a view we still hold.

“This is a new era for Hartlepool United and we wish them every success both on and off the field.”

The relationship between the council and former owners IOR Ltd and chairman Ken Hodcroft became strained as both sides failed to come to an agreement over the sale of Victoria Park.

The proposed redevelopment of the area, known as the Mill House Masterplan, was placed on hold while talks stagnated.

Coxall said: “We’re very keen to have a positive relationship with the Council and found them to be very approachable and very receptive to us as new owners of the Club.

“With the Council on our side, we feel there is a fantastic future for the Football Club and we look forward to developing a strong working relationship with them.”