WHEN Craig Hignett climbs to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with Colin Cooper next month, the new managerial team at Hartlepool United will spend more time together than they have ever done before.
Often a manager will turn to a long-term team-mate, a former room-mate or drinking partner when he chooses an assistant. In handing Hignett his first senior backroom role, Cooper has purely opted for someone he feels will be suited to the role. They have never played in the same team together.
But Merseyside-born Hignett, an approachable and likeable adopted Teessider, has an extensive list of contacts in the game. During his time as a co-commentator at BBC Tees, it was often said he knew someone at every ground he visited.
Being able to pick up the phone to one of those contacts he has dotted around the country – and beyond – is certainly something Cooper will be looking to tap in to quickly in the months, possibly years, ahead.
Cooper said: “For me, when I was given the chance to bring someone in, he was the obvious choice. He brings a lot of qualities. And what we need is people with energy and enthusiasm. A lot of people have spoken about experience, but we have energy to burn and we will use every ounce of it.
“Craig will always bring a high level of enthusiasm and he is as excited as I am. I think everything he does in football makes you realise how lucky I am to have him alongside me. He’s worked for BBC Tees, worked in Middlesbrough’s Academy, done scouting reports for Middlesbrough and he has watched an awful lot of players over the years. For me that’s a knowledge I can tap into it. He’s a great lad, a good coach and offers an awful lot of skill sense. I’m fortunate to have him.”
BORN in Whiston in January 1970, the early part of Hignett's professional career was spent at Crewe after leaving his boyhood club Liverpool, where he was on their youth team's books. In helping Crewe to promotion and to the play-offs with 57 goals in 150 appearances he moved to Middlesbrough in 1992.
Despite the huge changes which took place when Bryan Robson took over in 1994 armed with Steve Gibson's millions, Hignett remained integral to the squad and became the first player to score at the Riverside Stadium in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in August 1995.
Middlesbrough fans loved him, even more so when he took a pay cut to stay – while bigger names moved on - after suffering relegation from the Premier League in 1997 once Middlesbrough had also lost two cup finals that season.
When he eventually left for Aberdeen the following year, that marked the start of a nine year playing spell which took in Barnsley, Blackburn, Coventry, Leicester, Crewe, Leeds United, Darlington, Apollon Limassol and Spennymoor before one final swing in 2007 at Victoria Park.
He might only have played two times under Danny Wilson towards the end of that promotion winning year, but that was where his playing career came to a close. Six years older, a little wiser and he is back to embark in the latest chapter in his life.
“It's something I have wanted to do for a long time,” said Hignett. “I had a good time here with Danny Wilson, we got promoted, there was a real feel good factor, so I know it can be a really intimidating place to come, they did that under Danny.
“It was great to be a part of that when I caught the back end of it. That's something we would love to create here again now.”
When Hignett called it a day on the playing front, he was keen to make the step in to coaching and has been considered for a number of manager's jobs such as Barnsley and Darlington.
Cooper already has plans to transform the way Hartlepool do things. He will have high expectations from everyone he has under him and Hignett will be instrumental in helping to get the message across.
The new Hartlepool manager said: “Someone mentioned, which was really kind, was that a few years ago a certain Brian Clough started his managerial career here. I wasn’t lucky enough to play under him but I think if myself and Craig can be as successful as Brian and Peter Taylor all those years ago then we will do alright and Hartlepool will do alright.
“We will put our heart and soul into it to give ourselves an opportunity. As well as being a great character, he’s a Scouser with a great sense of humour. He’s great off the field and has a lot of positive attributes – as well as being a very good player remember.
“Contrast his stock trade was the other end of the pitch to mine, so he brings that side. All the things he does in his own life shows the passion he has – scouting, radio, coaching. He was actually supposed to be on a scouting mission this weekend for Boro, but I’ve told him he can’t go now.”
If Hignett's passion helps to deliver results and brighter times back to Hartlepool then Cooper's first signing could prove to be his most crucial.