IT'S the start of a new era at Hartlepool United - and boss Nicky Featherstone is excited about the future.
Pools changed hands this week, with the club's takeover finally being completed, bringing to an end Raj Singh's tenure at the Suit Direct Stadium.
American investor and co-founder of real estate company Tailwind Group has acquired a full controlling stake in the club, which was confirmed on New Year's Eve.
Featherstone found out about the takeover in a phone call with Singh shortly before club confirmation, and the head coach was expecting to speak to the new owner for the first time this week ahead of today's game at Woking (3pm), where Pools are looking to build on their excellent midweek success at Rochdale.
"I got the call [off Singh] and was a bit surprised - not shocked because the club has been for sale for a long time - but surprised at how fast it's happened," Featherstone told BBC Tees earlier this week.
"Having spoken to him he said it happened pretty quickly. Here we go. It's a new chapter and new era. Let's get ready to go. It's an exciting time.
"I'm excited, obviously. Nobody has spoken to the new owner at the minute but I'm due to have a call so that will clarify a few things.
"A lot of fans have asked for this for a long time, so it's an exciting time for them. I'm told there'll be a few fans who return for the next home game which is only a positive for me if we can get as many in as possible.
"It's definitely an exciting time for the club. I don't know the ins and outs of what he'll invest but it's an exciting chapter. A lot of the fans have wanted this for a long time."
Featherstone is now hoping Pools can carry the momentum of the takeover and the midweek victory at Rochdale, which closed the gap on the National League play-off places to just four points. Saturday's opponents Woking are just two places below Pools in the table but winless in their last three.
He said: "It was a statement win against Rochdale. If that doesn't give the lads belief moving forward, nothing will.
"We've proved we can be competitive. Now the real challenge is can we do it consistently. Hopefully that win gives us that belief - which I think is the thing this group has lacked, the belief we are a top team - and then we need to repeat that.
"We had a spell during the season where we didn't win many games, so any setback is massive and catastrophic to our play-off hopes.
"But there will be setbacks. This is another opportunity. We have to take belief and momentum from Tuesday.
"Woking haven't won in their last three so will be desperate to get back to winning ways. They're capable of beating any team at this level. If the lads don't believe after Tuesday, we never will."
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