Former Rovers assistant Hill takes role at Pools

CLINT Hill has joined Bristol Rovers’ League Two rivals Hartlepool United as assistant manager – nine weeks after leaving the Memorial Stadium.

Hill was named as Joey Barton’s assistant when the 39-year-old took the Rovers job in February, with the former QPR and Rangers teammates holding a close bond.

And Barton admitted he was left “gutted” by Hill’s departure ahead of the opening weekend of the season, citing a “family issue”, with the centre-back returning to his home on Merseyside.

Hill, pictured, was first spotted at

Hartlepool training in September, with the League Two side managed by his former Tranmere central defensive partner Dave Challinor.

Hartlepool assistant Joe Parkinson left the club last month and, after several weeks of training sessions and attending matches, Hill’s appointment has been confirmed.

“It was always going to be difficult to replace Joe, but I think Clint will certainly add to the management dynamic we’ve got within the group,” Challinor said. “He came in with us a few weeks back, with nothing really in it, for a few days as he’d gone round some clubs. I obviously played with him as a player and have kept in touch with him.

“He got involved with Joey (Barton) at Fleetwood and went to Bristol

Rovers. He’s left there and he’s been doing his pro license, so we’ve been chatting over the past few weeks so I’m delighted he’s decided to come in and be involved with us. I’m sure he will be a huge asset and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Hartlepool lie eighth in League Two, four points above Rovers.

Since Hill’s Rovers exit, Barton has brought in one of his former coaches at QPR, Kevin Bond, who has been alongside him, Andy Mangan and Kevin Maher in the Rovers dugout since August. Rovers face Chelsea U21s in the EFL Trophy tomorrow.