BARROW AFC have acted quickly to allay fans’ fears after Paul Cox was linked with the manager’s position at Hartlepool United.

The odds on Cox filling the Victoria Park hot-seat were as short as 1/7 at one point last week after the National League newcomers were given permission to talk to him by AFC chairman Paul Casson.

Not surprisingly, despite Cox being bookies favourite for the job, negotiations hit a brick wall. Cox is happy at Barrow and Pools would have to had fork out a hefty compensation package as he has two years left on his contract.

After admitting defeat in their hopes of prising Cox away from Barrow, the North Easterners looked elsewhere and appointed former Middlesbrough defender Craig Harrison as their new boss.

Cox being linked with another job caused concern among fans, and AFC have issued a statement reassuring them that he doesn’t want to leave Barrow, while Casson has also stressed his desire for the ex-Mansfield boss to stay,

The statement said: “Paul Cox, as one of the best managers in the National League, will always be sought after by other clubs.

“The club allowed Hartlepool to speak to Paul Cox out of respect for him. We believed Paul Cox would stay with the club and thus, felt like it gained nothing to prevent him from having a discussion with them.

“In the end, the discussions went nowhere because Paul doesn’t want to leave Barrow AFC. He believes in the club’s vision and the progress we have made during his time as manager.

“We have the best manager in the league, we are building one of the best squads in the league and are constantly trying to improve behind the scenes to prepare Barrow AFC for promotion to the Football League.

“We are all looking forward to the new season and the challenges it will bring, and believe all our supporters are too as shown by the fantastic season ticket sales so far. Thanks as always for your support!”

In addition, club chairman and owner Carson passed this message to supporters.

“There have been several news stories concerning the employment status of our manager Paul Cox. There was never a second thought he was leaving and so for me it was all much ado about nothing,” said Casson.

“Hartlepool acted correctly and asked permission to speak to him concerning their management vacancy. I personally don’t believe I have the right to deny any individual the right to pursue any opportunity so I gave it, as I would for any employee of Barrow AFC. It’s naïve to think it wouldn’t have happened anyway.

“Paul has a contract with Barrow AFC through 2019 and so were anything to happen, would need to request a release from that. He did not.

“Hartlepool gave it their best effort and always behaved appropriately, but at the end of all that, which in reality wasn’t much, Paul remains our manager.

“The majority of our discussion yesterday (Thursday) was actually around the now fearsome array of strikers we possess and how we unlock all of that goal-scoring potential, not to mention that carefully configured and intriguing pre-season schedule.

“We aren’t that far away. We have hopes for Joel (Dixon) and Andy (Parry returning successfully from injury and we think three or four key pieces from being very competitive, but they have to be right, and we are being careful.

“Opportunities may await for a couple of our players at a higher level and if that happens we will wish them well, it is further evidence of the healthy growth of the club.”

l Long-serving AFC director Sid Blain has been appointed to the board of the National League – becoming the the first representative the Bluebirds have had at Conference level.

A club statement read: “Sid has been a loyal servant and supporter of both Barrow AFC and the wider football community for over 50 years. He is a director and life member of the club and has an unrivalled amount of football knowledge and experience.

“His experience spans from being the assistant manager for semi-pro sides in the North West to serving as the press officer for the Northern Premier League and as a committee member for several leagues as well.

“Everyone at the club realise how lucky we are to have someone as experienced as Sid as a director of the club and would like to congratulate him on what is a fantastic achievement.”

Said Blain: “I am absolutely delighted to have been elected to the board of the National League and I would like to thank Paul and Stephanie Casson for all of their support during this process. However, I hope I only have to serve for one season of course!”

Stephanie Casson for all of their support during this process. However, I hope I only have to serve for one season of course!”