FORMER Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth has been sacked as manager of Hartlepool United.

FORMER Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth has been sacked as manager of Hartlepool United.

The much-travelled Wadsworth, who was the manager at Layer Road for just eight months in 1999, has been axed as Pools supremo after a poor run of seven straight home defeats.

This season had started so well for Wadsworth, with a nine-match unbeaten run seeing Pools installed as surprise play-off contenders.

But Hartlepool, who entertain Colchester United on Saturday week, have acted quickly to axe their 61-year-old boss. Coach Micky Barron will be in charge for the game at Brentford this weekend.

Since leaving Colchester, quoting his intention to move back closer to his northern roots, Yorkshire-born Wadsworth has been at no fewer than 11 other clubs/or countries.

These have included assistant manager roles at Newcastle and Southampton, managerial roles at Oldham, Huddersfield, Chester and most recently Hartlepool, and also jobs abroad at St Kitts & Nevis (coach), Democratic Republic of Congo (manager) and Beira Mar (in Portugal).

Hartlepool United FC have released the following statement: “It is with regret that Hartlepool United have relieved Mick Wadsworth of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.

“Following a good start to the season, although the away performances have yielded some results, regrettably the last seven home defeats have been of concern and it was felt that a fresh direction was required.”

Pools are currently three points clear of the U’s in the League One table.