Hardy takes charge of Seasiders

The 40-year-old Teessider, pictured, was unveiled on Thursday as the successor to Darren Williams who left the Turnbull Ground in November after a poor run of results left them in the bottom four.

Hardy, pictured, quit as manager of Northern League First Division outfit Guisborough Town to step up and take the helm at the Seasiders.

Named as the Northern League's manager of the year in 2013-14, Hardy joined the Priorymen back in 2008 and managed them in more 330 games, including two North Riding Senior Cup finals wins over Markse United and Middlesbrough and to promotion in 2011.

In the last two seasons his side have finished in third and fourth spots and were riding again in fourth before his final game in charge, a 4-1 win over leaders Morpeth at the KGV Stadium last week.

Experienced midfielder Lee Bullock who took over as caretaker has stepped down on a high. Having guided the club to a 4-1 win over Mickleover Sports in the Premier Division last Saturday, the former Hartlepool and Cardiff star will work as Hardy's number two.

Hardy, who arrives with a reputation for developing young players and playing an attractive brand of football, is looking forward to stepping up when he takes charge for the first time on Saturday at Skelmersdale United in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

Following his appointment, he told www.gazettelive.co.uk: “Whitby is a task that needs to be broken down into stages. The first step is consolidation. That’s massively important, it would be a disaster if that didn’t happen.

“In the summer I can sit down and reassess things and find out where we are going. But the immediate target is consolidation. I don’t need to go into Whitby and do anything knee-jerk but I will look to put my stamp on it very quickly."

He added: “They hold a really good status but aren’t really achieving or breaking records. I’ve got to try and change that and I think there is scope to do that. There are some good, young up-and-coming players there.”

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