HARTLEPOOL United chairman Ken Hodcroft last night saluted the club's promoption winning players, labelling them a credit to the town.

After winning promotion from League Two to League One in the record-breaking season, Pools ended the season in second spot.

And, at last night's player of the year awards Hodcroft, whose company Increased Oil Recovery Ltd are about to enter the tenth year of ownership, paid tribute to his charges.

"Since we took control, the club has enjoyed a lot of successes - and this season has been a very enjoyable one,'' he said.

"There's a lot of hard-work goes on behind the scenes, but I have to say a big thank-you to the lads, the players who have done so well this season.

"Some of them don't know if they are going to be here next season, that's the nature of football. But everyone of them has been dedicated to the cause.

"It's been very difficult picking winners for the awards, it's so difficult to pick any single player out.

"There were ten or 12 candidates for the goal of the season, it's been such a good one.

"We are coming up to our tenth anniversary of ownership and it promises to be a one to look forward to. IOR must say a big thank-you to the fans and the people of Hartlepool for their support this season and over the ten years we have been here.''

Hodcroft also revealed that IOR are investing around £100,000 at Billingham Town's Bedford Terrace. Pools' reserve team play at the ground and the club is laying a new drainage system and playing surface for their second string to play on.

Boss Danny Wilson announced to the Borough Hall crowd his sights are already set on next season. He said: "Everyone knows what a great season it's been - but we all have a dream and everyone wants it.

"We've a fantastic group of lads here and I want to keep them together and build on what we have. Colchester have had a fantastic season and a great example of what can be achieved.

"No-one ever expected them to do it did they? They shocked a lot of the big teams and why can't we be in that position.''

Junior Poolies young player of the year: James Brown; Goal of the season: Eifion Williams, second in the win at Darlington; skipper Micky Barron was presented with an award by Mayor Stuart Drummond to mark a decade of service; The Harold Hornsey youth team players' player of the year: Gary Forbes, while Craig Gott took the supporters' association gong. HUDSA award: Dimi Konstantopoulos; Monkey Business achievement award, presented by the club's fanzine: Ritchie Humphreys for his run of 234 consecutive appearances.