HARTLEPOOL UNITED were on the brink of administration and impending financial disaster under former chairman Gary Coxall.

That was the admission from new chairman Pam Duxbury, as she was introduced to the media at Victoria Park.

Duxbury and Sage Investments own the club after Coxall’s calamitous two-year spell was ended.

And she admitted: “If I hadn’t been able to pull money into the club from Sage Investments there was no money to pay wages or the bills. If there was no money coming into the club then it was administration and we couldn’t have done that without the help of Sage.

“I came in first, then dragged Sage along. It’s a business I worked in, property development and that’s how the money was made. I have a very trusted, long-standing relationship with the owner.

“He backs me, he may be questioning that decision now! But we want to rebuild this club for the future.’’

Duxbury was introduced to the club through Coxall at the back end of last year as he struggled to keep the club’s head above water and she added: “I realised the financial plight in my first few weeks and it was a surprise to me.

“Maybe with my financial background then I could have done more due diligence, but with 20-20 vision it was a fast-moving situation. I was committed to help. Time again you would ask different questions.’’

Duxbury, who said Coxall’s settlement for his shares barely covered his legal fees, is keen to get the club’s Supporters Trust involved and is also seeking financial investment as she plots a secure financial future.

Former physio Ian Gallagher was axed to much consternation from supporters.

Duxbury said: “It’s about change. There are hard decisions to be made, those that are unpopular, but I can’t shy away from those. We need to move forward and we do as a club.

“It doesn’t detract from what people have contributed in the past. We look to build a new team, a team for success.’’

While there have been claims former boss Dave Jones still has an influence, she responded: “Other managers are still on the pay-roll being paid off, but he is not involved in the club at all.’’

She added: “We have the right man in Craig Harrison and I empower him to go ahead and do what he wants with the team. I’ve been very impressed. He is very meticulous and hard-working, a self-confessed workaholic.

“There’s no ego or arrogance, he just wants success.’’