New Number Two & Defender For Pools

The highly-respected coach arrives at Victoria Park having left Middlesbrough earlier in the month after a hugely-successful 23 years working in the club’s academy.

Jenkins (above) earned a big reputation during his lengthy spell at The Riverside Stadium during which he played a key role in the development of stars such as Stewart Downing and Ben Gibson.

One of his finest achievements came during the 2014/15 campaign when he led Boro’s under-23 side to a domestic treble when they won an incredible twelve of their final thirteen games.

Jenkins stepped up to assist Steve Agnew at first-team level during the latter part of last season as Boro fought to stay in the Premier League before he parted ways with the club a week ago.

Pools boss Harrison knows Jenkins well from his playing days at Middlesbrough and is delighted to have been able to bring someone with his knowledge and pedigree on to his coaching staff.

“I’ve known Jenks for a long time because he was at Middlesbrough when I was there twenty years ago so there is already a strong bond and friendship between us,” Harrison told the club`s official website. “We’ve known each other a long time which is important but just as crucial is to have a young and dynamic team because energy and enthusiasm will play a huge part and we have that in all members of our staff.

“The quality he has and the delivery on the pitch as well as the support he can offer me is going to be unbelievable because he has been there and done it at all levels, from under-9s up to working with the First Team in the last few months of last season.

“He has a broad range of experience and skills but he also has all the qualities I want, so I am sure the lads will work hard but also enjoy training with him as much as they have at any of their other clubs”.

Meanwhile, Harrison has moved to further strengthen his squad by completing the signing of highly-rated defender Louis Laing.

The 24-year-old centre-back had been attracting the attention of a number of clubs following a successful stint with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the second half of last season.

However, Pools boss Harrison has moved to secure the services of the former Sunderland youngster and bring him back to his native North East.

Laing was nurtured through the ranks at the Stadium of Light where he made one first-eam appearance, whilst also gaining senior experience from a loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers.

The former England Youth international was then snapped up by Nottingham Forest in 2014 before loan spells at Notts County and Motherwell paved the way for a permanent move to the latter in the summer of 2015.

He returned to Notts County on loan at the start of last term, scoring in a 2-1 win for The Magpies at Victoria Park before joining Inverness on a short-term deal in February.

Laing becomes the seventh new face to arrive at the Victoria Ground this summer as Harrison continues his re-build ahead of the start of the campaign.