HARTLEPOOL United last night refuted suggestions that Halifax Town manager Chris Wilder has rejected the opportunity to move to Victoria Park.

The Conference side, who missed out on a return to the Football League after losing last season's play-off final, claimed Wilder had turned down an approach for his services.

Halifax general manager Angie Firth said: "We are delighted Chris decided not to pursue the interest shown in him.

"This approach proves what a great job he is doing and that his efforts are not going unnoticed.''

But Pool, who keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to managerial appointments, hit back at the claims.

A statement read: "Hartlepool United are not in the business of approaching other club's managers and have not done so in this instance.

"We received a CV for Chris Wilder via an agent in February (before the post was advertised) but he has not been interviewed for the job.''

In previous appointments, club owners IOR have refused to accept applications from third parties, insisting the applicant himself lodges his interest.

After appointing Mike Newell in 2002, chairman Ken Hodcroft offered an insight into the club's selection procedure.

"We have a strict company procedure to adhere to,'' he said. "There are no shortcuts when it comes to making an appointment, we follow a procedure set out by IOR.

"We evaluate all the applications but, as I said, there is a procedure to follow when a position like this becomes available.

"I know it's not how a football club normally does things but we are part of a big company and that is how we do it. Perhaps what we are doing is not the footballing way. But the same selection procedure applied when Chris Turner was appointed in 1998 and, rest assured, what we are doing is for the best.''

Turner has a role to play in making the new appointment. All applications had to initially go through him and it will be at least another week before the club is ready to make an announcement.