HARTLEPOOL United legend Anthony Sweeney has left the club as Darren Sarll confirmed his new-look backroom team.

A former promotion-winning midfielder and club captain, Sweeney made more than 400 appearances for Pools. He has been part of the coaching team at the Suit Direct Stadium for the last five years and stepped in as caretaker manager on more than one occasion.

But Sweeney is moving on this month, with Sarll to be supported by former Premier League defender Carl Dickinson, who has been appointed assistant manager. Dickinson made more than 600 appearances in his playing career for the likes of Stoke, Portsmouth and Watford, Port Vale and Notts County.

Midfielder Nicky Featherstone has also signed a new dual contract to become a player-coach for the upcoming campaign.

The 35-year-old will enter his 11th season at the club and has amassed 416 appearances,, sitting sixth in the all-time list.

Former Newcastle and Manchester United keeper Paul Woolston will remain at the club as goalkeeping coach, having joined Pools back in January. Ben Daniel will stay as first team analyst, while former Darlington physio Danny O'Connor will remain in position at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Ronnie Moore will continue as chief scout and Lennie Lawrence will support and mentor the football staff, say the club.

Sweeney said: “I would like thank everyone at the club for the support they have given me over the years.

“It has given me enormous pride and pleasure to represent Hartlepool United as both a player and as a coach, and I leave with some incredible memories on and off the pitch.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the fans who have been superb with me from the beginning and I hope that the coming years see them celebrating the success that their loyalty deserves.

“I wish everyone success for the future.”

Manager Sarll said: “I’m delighted that we have secured and retained our targeted staff well in advance of pre-season starting. It gives us an organised backdrop both in terms of recruitment and season planning.

“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.

“I’m equally pleased that Nicky has taken up his new dual role. He has an incredible amount of experience at this level and knows the club so well. A transitional player-coach position is the ideal way to harness that. He will have key role in creating the right culture and helping players understand what it means to represent Pools.

“Overall we have an excellent complement of staff both new and retained, which is comparable with most EFL clubs. There is also a good balance with youth and experience that should hold us in good stead for the challenge ahead. Our work has already begun.”