RICHARD MONEY has vowed to put his experience of the National League to good effect at Hartlepool United.

Unveiled this afternoon as the new Pools boss, Money has led Cambridge back into the Football League and helped get Luton back on track for a return and promotion from the division.

He takes over a Pools side in mid-table in the division, the change of manager coming after a run of seven successive defeats.

Money, 63, said: “I’m very proud and pleased to be here and selected. Not knowing the list, but reading the rumours of it then there was a high standard. The fact so many of the managers who could apply have applied is an indication of the club and how it is perceived in the football community.

“This club is a big club, a long-standing Football League club and it is attractive to so many. We won at Swindon on the final day of the 2006/7 season with Walsall and pip Hartlepool to the title.’’

He added: “We had a real good battle that season, competing well. Walsall are still there and unfortunately Hartlepool are not. Stadium, area, crowd and the potential of the crowd makes this a big attraction.

“This is an opportunity for more success and why it is an attractive proposition.

“It’s safe to say I know this division well. I have experience of clubs in this position, this is a big club and Luton is a monster. To take that job wasn’t easy at the time and I know exactly how the supporters will feel because it was the same.

“There’s a stigma about non-league – rightly or wrongly. It’s a prick to the ego that you are a non league club, but I know it’s easy to dismiss it and do so at your peril.’’

Pools chief executive Mark Maguire said: “We have been through an exhaustive process in the last two weeks and started with an open mind – we have a long list of candidates of a high calibre. Richard presented himself well in interview and got to the top of the list.

“The challenge we face in the National League and dealing with it, we felt he is the man to help us do that.’’