Lee Clark

bobby lemonade · **Posted:** Sat Sep 12, 2026 11:30 pm

When he was appointed I was massively underwhelmed, I couldn't get my head around how we hired a recruitment firm and ended up with Lee Clark. However in his interviews he came across very well, I really like the bloke, seems a genuine guy, I've been rooting for him to do well. Thing is it doesn't look like it's going to happen for him, and I do think we have a very decent squad.
The question seems to be, how long does he get before we look to salvage the season. I honestly think anyone with a half decent experience of this league could make a decent fist of this squad. Landon Smith has been badly let down with the manager recruitment, I'm hoping he can see a slippery slope approaching and addresses it. With Stuart Maynard available there is an option.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

If this seasons budget is done then how does Smithy afford to pay off Clarky then bring anutha manager in.

Unless Fevs going to Hull frees up a bit of wiggle room cash.

He ain't Hollywood.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

Something will have to be done as we’re on the road to nowhere, because barring a miracle and everything clicking into place for Clark and the team…I wouldn’t hold my breath.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

It was never disclosed the length of contract Clark has, most of the new signings got a 1 year contract with option of a years extension, has Clark got a similar contract, would there be much compo due to him if Pools got rid ? They have no choice if results don’t change over the next couple games.
He wanted to continue at Rotherham but they brought in Steve McLaren as Head of Football and he appointed Alex Bruce as First Team Coach, Clark wasn’t offered a position.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Double post.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

kevin pooles gloves wrote:

If this seasons budget is done then how does Smithy afford to pay off Clarky then bring anutha manager in.

Unless Fevs going to Hull frees up a bit of wiggle room cash.

He ain't Hollywood.

he is some sort of quota quicky from somewhere like brighton studios.

Alanzzzz · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:44 pm **Posts:** 14

The fans calling for Clarke to be sacked would do well to remember that his job is Head Coach not Manager.
His job is to coach the team in a system that has been agreed by “committee”.
That committee consists of Maxwell, Beech, Clarke, Clayton and Liddle plus whoever else has an input.
The system or 442 is what they’ve branded our “identity” .
If Clarke is sacrificed don’t expect the system to change with a new head coach

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

Alanzzzz wrote:

The fans calling for Clarke to be sacked would do well to remember that his job is Head Coach not Manager.
His job is to coach the team in a system that has been agreed by “committee”.
That committee consists of Maxwell, Beech, Clarke, Clayton and Liddle plus whoever else has an input.
The system or 442 is what they’ve branded our “identity” .
If Clarke is sacrificed don’t expect the system to change with a new head coach

he must have some input in the decisions though. anyway when it shows something just is not working you change it. there are loads of ways to play football and not just one thats been carried over from last season. you live and fie by your decisions and actions anf they are all sleepwalking to the dole queue at the moment.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

Alanzzzz wrote:

The fans calling for Clarke to be sacked would do well to remember that his job is Head Coach not Manager.
His job is to coach the team in a system that has been agreed by “committee”.
That committee consists of Maxwell, Beech, Clarke, Clayton and Liddle plus whoever else has an input.
The system or 442 is what they’ve branded our “identity” .
If Clarke is sacrificed don’t expect the system to change with a new head coach

You forgot to add
Director of Football.

You honestly think Maynard!!!!! Will agree to that shit. :think:

The players need a severe arse kicking for lack of effort.
Our oversupported team will sharp deminish if we play the give it time and luck method.
UTP.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

The fixtures get a lot tougher next month.
We can't afford to waste time on hope n luck going into them fixtures.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

kevin pooles gloves wrote:

The fixtures get a lot tougher next month.
We can't afford to waste time on hope n luck going into them fixtures.

no they are not. our manager will tell you all the fixtures are hard and there is no easy games in this league. if he is around long enough when we draw little pissup on sea in the trophy they,ll be a good team even if there guide dogs are out injured.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Phil Parkinson coming under a bit of flak at Wrexham, 3 promotions just missed out on the play offs last season, some fans now want calling for his head after the 6-0 defeat by West Ham, one win in seven.
I wonder if the film stars will stand by him, if he became available could Pools afford him ?

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

Looks like their fans have delusions of grandeur.
If their sugar daddy ever gets bored, they’ll descend like a glider with lead wings.
Success is a greedy master.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

its just football where the views of many a wise man makes them sound like a village idiot.

Alanzzzz · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:44 pm **Posts:** 14

Remember what was said earlier in the season.

“We will have a system of play that will be our “identity”. If the coach leaves the club, his replacement can step in and take over with continuity”

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

We’ll they best crack on then.

Smokin Joe · **Joined:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:13 pm **Posts:** 1572

If this is the best that they can do then I would chase the lot of them one by one starting with Clark as he is taking responsibility as the 'leader', he is the one facing up to the fans, media - and fast losing the plot judging by his latest outburst. Should we lose to Alty in midweek the remaining fans will turn on Clark not the 'Committee' next Saturday.

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 6516

I've said on other threads already that it needs to be a complete clear out, otherwise all Landon Smith will be doing is risking more of the same. That's Clark, Clayton, Liddle and ideally Beech and Bromby & Partners too. Get a proven manager in (preferably Maynard) and allow him to appoint his own coaching team.

People might wonder where Smith is going to get his professional advice, but by now he knows people like Jeff Stelling who can give him loads of professional contacts. Besides, the Ugglas at York are Canadians and they've never needed the equivalent of a Bromby & Partners to hold their hands.

As for the 'what if his budget is spent?' argument - his business plan is screwed anyway if home gates fall back to +/- 3,000 all season - to say nothing of losing the support of the fanbase. As a businessman he'll know he may as well twist, as he can't afford to stick!

bobby lemonade · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2026 5:43 pm

Flying Hogans wrote:

As for the 'what if his budget is spent?' argument - his business plan is screwed anyway if home gates fall back to +/- 3,000 all season - to say nothing of losing the support of the fanbase. As a businessman he'll know he may as well twist, as he can't afford to stick!

Budget spent, or have they realised it's throwing good money after bad with Clark in charge?

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

Fecking Hell, football by committee…It sounds like the Wheel tappers and Shunters club take on football…… so who is actually responsible for anything…?
Pure undiluted bull.

hpoolsown1 · **Joined:** Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:20 am **Posts:** 99

This from the Hartlepool Mail BBC Tees interview
When asked if he could consider a change of system, he told BBC Tees Sport: “You’ve obviously been listening to social media. The system’s worked, we’ve won three out of six and we’ve got the best defensive, probably not now, but the second best defensive record, but we had the best defensive record coming into the game. We’ve got four strikers, what am I going to do? Just play with one? I’ve even seen when we went down to ten, we stayed with two strikers on the pitch. If we are going to go down the old tactical route, everyone is obsessed with it, aren’t they? Everyone is a top coach. If we lose, it’s down the tactics, it’s down to the system. But it never gets mentioned when you win.”

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

hpoolsown1 wrote:

This from the Hartlepool Mail BBC Tees interview
When asked if he could consider a change of system, he told BBC Tees Sport: “You’ve obviously been listening to social media. The system’s worked, we’ve won three out of six and we’ve got the best defensive, probably not now, but the second best defensive record, but we had the best defensive record coming into the game. We’ve got four strikers, what am I going to do? Just play with one? I’ve even seen when we went down to ten, we stayed with two strikers on the pitch. If we are going to go down the old tactical route, everyone is obsessed with it, aren’t they? Everyone is a top coach. If we lose, it’s down the tactics, it’s down to the system. But it never gets mentioned when you win.”

The System has really only worked v Barrow.
Aldershot miss a late penalty and Woking missed loads of sitters.
And the 4 losses are mainly down to the system because on paper the squad ain't to bad.
The players obviously don't like the system it's even brought most of them to give up.

The system eh.

Looks like social media will lead to his exit not the system :think:

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Smiths latest comment on X if it is him, the dreaded vote of confidence.
‘After a tough run of results, I want to be crystal clear: Lee Clark has my full backing.
We’re in this together. The standards are high, the ambition hasn’t changed, and I believe in Lee and the staff to turn this around. Support the team. We’ll get it right.
Landon’

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

Oh no we aren’t in it together, as he’ll soon find out if this crap continues to be plugged as the way forward.
We might have an alleged reasonable defence but only achieved it by abolishing midfield altogether for Clark’s 10-0-2 formation.
If we’re going to get to the situation where Clark is believed by the owner over the fans opinion of the bleedin obvious.
This is no promotion form by any stretch of the imagination, possibly top of the bottom third of the table form…but fans have more knowledge of the game than owners and know crap when they see it being offered up to them.
The ‘customer’ is not always right ……. but 99% of the time is right.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

hpoolsown1 wrote:

This from the Hartlepool Mail BBC Tees interview
When asked if he could consider a change of system, he told BBC Tees Sport: “You’ve obviously been listening to social media.

Implying the fans opinion counts for bugger all and he’s the ‘expert’ so shit up, know your place and your opinion is worthless cos I know what I’m doing.
Well with all due respect , you’re wrong.
Dressing this tosh up as the way forward is nonsensical.
Fans aren’t bloody stupid, they have eyes to see,…which cancels out bluster, bluff and a strange interpretations of success on the pitch unknown to most of them.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

jamie1952 wrote:

Smiths latest comment on X if it is him, the dreaded vote of confidence.
‘After a tough run of results, I want to be crystal clear: Lee Clark has my full backing.
We’re in this together. The standards are high, the ambition hasn’t changed, and I believe in Lee and the staff to turn this around. Support the team. We’ll get it right.
Landon’

Deffo fake this one.

No Pack the Park in it

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

Snowy wrote:

hpoolsown1 wrote:

This from the Hartlepool Mail BBC Tees interview
When asked if he could consider a change of system, he told BBC Tees Sport: “You’ve obviously been listening to social media.

Implying the fans opinion counts for bugger all and he’s the ‘expert’ so shit up, know your place and your opinion is worthless cos I know what I’m doing.
Well with all due respect , you’re wrong.
Dressing this tosh up as the way forward is nonsensical.
Fans aren’t bloody stupid, they have eyes to see,…which cancels out bluster, bluff and a strange interpretations of success on the pitch unknown to most of them.

its funny how the fans are seen as brilliant and knowledgable if the team is winning and we are all behind them without any criticism. suddenly they become a load of thick knuckle draggers who turn up to vent the anger thats in the rest of their life. know fans can be fickle and players quickly go from hero to zero but mainly they are not as thick as those in the game think. many managers and fans are not overkeen on fans and only go to events because its in there contracts to do so and not for the love.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Has anyone ever got excited when a new manager has been appointed at Pools think yes a great appointment, tbh I can’t, Turner, Cooper first time round in the end turned out ok but I wasn’t excited at their initial appointment.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

jamie1952 wrote:

Has anyone ever got excited when a new manager has been appointed at Pools think yes a great appointment, tbh I can’t, Turner, Cooper first time round in the end turned out ok but I wasn’t excited at their initial appointment.

surely brian clough got your juices flowing.

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

jamie1952 wrote:

Has anyone ever got excited when a new manager has been appointed at Pools think yes a great appointment, tbh I can’t, Turner, Cooper first time round in the end turned out ok but I wasn’t excited at their initial appointment.

surely brian clough got your juices flowing. go back 10 years ot so before that when we had a good side i doubt young fans knew who the manager was and definatly not rge chaitman and the others. now they are better known than the players.

Corner Flag · **Joined:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:36 pm **Posts:** 611

Cyril Knowles had an immediate impact.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

I suppose it depends on the strength of the alleged ‘juices’

derwent · **Joined:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm **Posts:** 13287

Clark's reply citing social media is revealing something of the contempt manager's (not all of them) have for the "fan's view". Didn't Higgy once say that he could write on the back of a postage stamp the sum total of our knowledge of the game.

PTID · **Joined:** Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:07 pm **Posts:** 6172

I don't think it's a case of him deriding the fans knowledge of the game, more a reaction to the fans pointing out the obvious weaknesses and tactical decisions he makes, he's just lashing out because he can't admit he's doing anything wrong.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

There are management techniques that can be applied to any role…some people in managerial posts are unaware of the fact and believe their ‘business’ is both unique and special rules don’t apply to their role.

derwent · **Joined:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:59 pm **Posts:** 13287

There are those who know the problem, those who don't know the problem and those who don't know that they don't know the problem.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Snowy didn’t you say in the past give a new manager 10 games before calling for him to be sacked, on this occasion Clark hasn’t had 10 games meaning from day one like the rest or the majority of the fans Clark was the wrong choice from day one.

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

On anutha fans forum he has resigned.

Bullshit or true.

Ozzy Saltburn · **Joined:** Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:34 pm **Posts:** 4572

kevin pooles gloves wrote:

On anutha fans forum he has resigned.

Bullshit or true.

Edit. Wrong thread

kevin pooles gloves · **Joined:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:28 pm **Posts:** 11096

Ozzy Saltburn wrote:

kevin pooles gloves wrote:

On anutha fans forum he has resigned.

Bullshit or true.

Edit. Wrong thread

It isent

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 40973

jamie1952 wrote:

Snowy didn’t you say in the past give a new manager 10 games before calling for him to be sacked, on this occasion Clark hasn’t had 10 games meaning from day one like the rest or the majority of the fans Clark was the wrong choice from day one.

I know what he’s like from past experience. …doh.
Unknown managers I do give a chance.

Trying to be a smart arse …?

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 6516

Flying Hogans wrote:

I've said on other threads already that it needs to be a complete clear out, otherwise all Landon Smith will be doing is risking more of the same. That's Clark, Clayton, Liddle and ideally Beech and Bromby & Partners too. Get a proven manager in (preferably Maynard) and allow him to appoint his own coaching team.

People might wonder where Smith is going to get his professional advice, but by now he knows people like Jeff Stelling who can give him loads of professional contacts. Besides, the Ugglas at York are Canadians and they've never needed the equivalent of a Bromby & Partners to hold their hands.

As for the 'what if his budget is spent?' argument - his business plan is screwed anyway if home gates fall back to +/- 3,000 all season - to say nothing of losing the support of the fanbase. As a businessman he'll know he may as well twist, as he can't afford to stick!

According to some in the know, Raj Singh's' top advisor' Lee Rust (the genius who let Luke Molyneux leave for nothing) is still very much around and listened to by Landon. He should have been scattered straight after the takeover!

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Snowy wrote:

jamie1952 wrote:

Snowy didn’t you say in the past give a new manager 10 games before calling for him to be sacked, on this occasion Clark hasn’t had 10 games meaning from day one like the rest or the majority of the fans Clark was the wrong choice from day one.

I know what he’s like from past experience. …doh.
Unknown managers I do give a chance.

Trying to be a smart arse …?

No not being a smart ar** Snowy, are you denying you ever said that although you never mentioned your 10 game quote about Clark.Nope it’s Jamie, any other poster said that you probably have ignored the post but it’s Jamie I’ll have a pop at him.

jamie1952 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:07 am **Posts:** 2054

Flying Hogans wrote:

I've said on other threads already that it needs to be a complete clear out, otherwise all Landon Smith will be doing is risking more of the same. That's Clark, Clayton, Liddle and ideally Beech and Bromby & Partners too. Get a proven manager in (preferably Maynard) and allow him to appoint his own coaching team.

People might wonder where Smith is going to get his professional advice, but by now he knows people like Jeff Stelling who can give him loads of professional contacts. Besides, the Ugglas at York are Canadians and they've never needed the equivalent of a Bromby & Partners to hold their hands.

As for the 'what if his budget is spent?' argument - his business plan is screwed anyway if home gates fall back to +/- 3,000 all season - to say nothing of losing the support of the fanbase. As a businessman he'll know he may as well twist, as he can't afford to stick!

According to some in the know, Raj Singh's' top advisor' Lee Rust (the genius who let Luke Molyneux leave for nothing) is still very much around and listened to by Landon. He should have been scattered straight after the takeover!

Graham Lee said in an interview Rust should never be allowed near a football club.

harrogatepoolie · **Joined:** Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:35 pm **Posts:** 1529

I dont take any pleasure in being one of the fans who wanted him to go if the team lost this week . And of course they did! There hasnt been any improvement in the team since the first game and am in aggreement in what most of the bunker have said . The problems are widely apparent in that we are lacking creative and attacking midfielders . We need players from the centre of the pitch who can at least dart into the box and can pass and cross the ball . I dont think the strikers are bad but they need support. Midfield is extremely important in that if you sit back too much you invite teams on to us . I dont doubt the effort and application of the team but midfield should be first priority together with a proven manager. For me i would have challoner back on a temporary contract to help sign some quality loanees and impart some confidence . I dont think Dave would take the job full time as he is too good for us . But he woukd get us organised and ingrain some sort of identity. Landon should take his time too find a permanent successor but Challinor is tactically astuteand would be a positive temporary acquisition . Good luck to Lee Clarke. The guy tried his best and did the right thing. Relegation is unthinkable .

harrogatepoolie · **Joined:** Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:35 pm **Posts:** 1529

harrogatepoolie wrote:

I didnt take any pleasure in being one of the fans who wanted him to go if the team lost this week . And of course they did! There hasnt been any improvement in the team since the first game and am in aggreement in what most of the bunker have said . The problems are widely apparent in my eyes, that we are lacking creative and attacking midfielders . We need players from the centre of the pitch who can at least dart into the box and can pass and cross the ball . I dont think the strikers are bad but they need support. Midfield is extremely important in that if you sit back too much you invite teams on to us . I dont doubt the effort and application of the team but midfield should be first priority together with a proven manager. For me i would have challoner back on a temporary contract to help sign some quality loanees and impart some confidence . I dont think Dave would take the job full time as he is too good for us . But he woukd get us organised and ingrain some sort of identity. Landon should take his time too find a permanent successor but Challinor is tactically astute and would be a positive temporary acquisition . Good luck to Lee Clarke. The guy tried his best and did the right thing. Relegation is unthinkable .

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 23189

Flying Hogans wrote:

I've said on other threads already that it needs to be a complete clear out, otherwise all Landon Smith will be doing is risking more of the same. That's Clark, Clayton, Liddle and ideally Beech and Bromby & Partners too. Get a proven manager in (preferably Maynard) and allow him to appoint his own coaching team.

People might wonder where Smith is going to get his professional advice, but by now he knows people like Jeff Stelling who can give him loads of professional contacts. Besides, the Ugglas at York are Canadians and they've never needed the equivalent of a Bromby & Partners to hold their hands.

As for the 'what if his budget is spent?' argument - his business plan is screwed anyway if home gates fall back to +/- 3,000 all season - to say nothing of losing the support of the fanbase. As a businessman he'll know he may as well twist, as he can't afford to stick!

According to some in the know, Raj Singh's' top advisor' Lee Rust (the genius who let Luke Molyneux leave for nothing) is still very much around and listened to by Landon. He should have been scattered straight after the takeover!

even if somebody warned him about him i,d guess he wanted to find out for himself what he was like. might have the best attribute you can have in the modrrn world the gift of the gab like clark had. add pearson to the number who should have been gone at the takeover.

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Lee Clark

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