HARTLEPOOL UNITED'S Paul Stephenson last night revealed he is hanging up his boots at the end of the current campaign, writes Paul Fraser.

The 35-year-old has not kicked a ball in the Third Division this season and he will take up a new role as assistant youth team coach at the club.

Stephenson played a major part in helping Pool to three successive play-off places under Chris Turner and he became a fans' favourite.

But now the former Newcastle United winger is focusing on starting a new career on the training field alongside youth team boss Martin Scott from July 1.

And Stephenson admitted: "When you know you're coming to the end of your playing career, you know you need to be making plans for the future.

"I've been working on my coaching qualifications and I am delighted that the club have made me this offer.

"I received a very nice letter from the chairman, Ken Hodcroft, saying 'thank you for the service I'd given the club', which for me was a great thing to read.

"At the bottom half of the letter it stated that the club would like to offer me this new role, so I am more than happy to accept it.

"It's a very important thing to try to produce your own talent within the club and hopefully we can continue doing that."

Stephenson also played for York, Brentford, Gillingham and Millwall during a 17-year career in which me made 448 League appearances scoring 28 goals.

* Southend have sacked manager Rob Newman and assistant boss David Crown.

The club have revealed the pair will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the season. First-team coach Stewart Robson will take charge for Saturday's game at York.

Read more about Hartlepool here.