AFTER seeing off four managers in the National League, Hartlepool United have been told they now have the right man in charge for the division.

Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard is a big fan of new Pools boss Dave Challinor and feels that Pools can finally progress and aim for a Football League return.

Challinor and Garrard have struck up a friendship in recent years, with the Pools boss taking on Boreham Wood in his first game in charge in this division with Fylde. The pair were talking on the Victoria Park pitch for a long spell while their teams warmed up at the weekend.

“I love Dave, I think he’s one of the good guys in the division,’’ said Garrard. “I think Hartlepool have a fantastic manager in Dave. What he did at Fylde was incredible and he sees the game in the right manner and wants his teams to play in the right manner too.

“Like my teams, he wants to see forward-thinking, fluid football.

“I like him, we talk a lot and get on well away from football – I’m off for a beer with him after the game.

“Listen, he is a good fit for Hartlepool. The club has bottomed out now in terms of the club, it’s a massive club and when you come here you are in awe of the place. Now you have a manager who understands the level and respects it and he will have some ideas and ambitions behind the scenes.

“There’s teams now in this division – Notts County, Wrexham, Chesterfield, Barnet, Hartlepool – which mean it’s an extension of League Two now. I think you have to start respecting it’s not easy to bounce back at the first opportunity, it takes time to adapt to the level and Hartlepool have the right man in charge to help them recognise that.’’

Garrard’s team was pegged back after leading 2-0 at Victoria Park and he admitted: “To be honest, I’m proud of them – we have witnessed a team attacking the opposition and getting at them.

“For half hour and first-half we were outstanding and we could have been two or three to the good. For the first half hour they didn’t know what hit them.

“Toure came on to get them a result and we didn’t nullify their threat. Going away from home against a team with 3,000 fans and getting a point is a good one.’’