HARTLEPOOL United's hopes of signing Kevin Betsy hang in the balance, writes NICK LOUGHLIN.

Pool were hoping to extend his month-long loan period or make a move to sign the Barnsley man on a permanent basis after he impressed on loan at Victoria Park last month.

But Neale Cooper's hopes have been hampered after Oldham and Port Vale joined the chase for the ex-Fulham man.

Betsy has agreed a pay-off from Barnsley and is free to move clubs.

He impressed everyone at Victoria Park, scoring once - in the televised win at Huddersfield - in seven outings.

Betsy held talks with Oldham yesterday and is expected to decide where his future lies this morning.

An Oldham insider claimed they are in pole position to clinch the deal and admitted: "We are quietly confident because the talks with Betsy went well."

But Betsy enjoyed his spell in the North-East and it is believed Pool are ready to offer a two-year deal, in contrast to the 12-month deal on offer at Boundary Park.

If Pool lose out to the Latics they will be in for a swift reunion as Cooper's side go to Boundary Park on Saturday.

l Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond last night led the tributes to Paul Mullen, the club's former media manager who died on Saturday after a battle with illness.

Mullen, 51, who followed Pool for over 40 years, helped set up the Monkey Business fanzine in 1989 before becoming the Victoria Park press officer in 1998.

Mayor Drummond said: "I have a lot to thank him for as he was the man who got me the job as H'Angus and helped me greatly with the election campaign in 2002.

"We travelled to plenty of away games together and had some good times on the road watching Pools. all over the country.

"I visited him in hospital last week and he really brightened up when the talk was about Pools.

"There wasn't much about the club that he didn't know. He will be sorely missed.''

Paul also worked as a photographer and regularly contributed Pool action shots for The Northern Echo's sports pages.

His last game watching Pool was the play-off defeat at Bristol City at the end of last season.

He leaves a wife, Christine, and son, Andrew. The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Davison Drive, Hartlepool on Thursday at 2.15pm.

Read more about Hartlepool United here.