Hartlepool United legend backs Lee Clark to succeed at Victoria Park

Barron, who made almost 400 appearances for Pools, spent time in Newcastle's academy alongside Clark.

While Clark went on to feature more than 200 times for Newcastle, Barron would go on to be regarded as one of Hartlepool United's greatest ever players, twice helping the club win promotion.

Since hanging up his boots, Clark has spent almost two decades as a manager, spending time at the helm of Huddersfield, Birmingham, Blackpool, Kilmarnock, Bury, Blyth Spartans and Rotherham, where he took charge of the final nine matches of last season. The former England under-21 international has also spent time managing in Sudan and Oman.