Stoke City promotion winner Carl Dickinson has been confirmed in a new coaching role

Stoke City promotion winner Carl Dickinson has been named as new assistant manager at Hartlepool United.

Dickinson, now aged 37, has been brought in to be number two by Darren Sarll, who he had played for at Yeovil Town in the National League. He had a successful stint as manager of Hanley Town and has just helped Congleton Town win the Midland League Premier Division title and Midland League Cup while playing under his old Port Vale teammate Richard Duffy. He has made more than 600 career appearances as a player and has also coached in Stoke’s academy set-up.

“Extremely proud to be joining the football club as part of the coaching team,” he said in response to his appointment. “Can’t wait to get going!”

Hartlepool have just finished 12th in the National League. Former Vale boss John Askey left in late December after a run of three wins in 19 games. Former Stoke coach Kevin Phillips took over in January and guided the club away from danger and into a safe mid-table finish.

Dickinson came through the ranks at Stoke as a fearless defender and

helped win a place in the Premier League in 2008.

He will also work alongside Lennie Lawrence, who has a mentor role at Hartlepool, and Ronnie Moore, is chief scout. Midfielder Nicky Featherstone is now a player-coach.

Sarll said: “Carl will be a fantastic addition to the Club. He has experience from the very top of the game to call upon and represents skillsets with coaching but also strength and conditioning, which is a point that I am keen to address – we have to better meet the physical demands to be successful in this league.”