To many the sacking was seen as the culmination of the Shakespearean tragicomedy
With this sacking, Grayson becomes the 9th permanent manager to exit the role in the post Dave Challinor era, who guided the Monkey Hangers to promotion to League Two in his first full season in charge in the 2020-21 season, before departing to Stockport County later in the year.
To many the sacking was seen as the culmination of the Shakespearean tragicomedy that was Pools’ summer, with collapsing takeover rumours, a fan poll marred by transparency issues resulting in Singh staying on as chairman and principal funder of the club after standing down from the role in March, and the effective ban of BBC Tees from providing live updates from home games after an interview dissecting the clubs finances.
In addition, the resignation of the club’s Honorary President and most notable face, Jeff Stelling, in May - protesting the fan poll and takeover rumours - cast further division across the club, with Stelling stating that fans had been left in an ‘intolerable position’ with a ‘perceived threat to the future of the club should they not support the current owner’, further claiming that ‘not once had I been consulted about this even though I am a shareholder’.
Despite flashes of quality, Grayson's tenure was marked by dropped points
Grayson’s appointment brought with it an almost complete overhaul of the club, signing 14 new players in the wake of key departures such as Mani Dieseruvwe, Joe Grey, and David Ferguson, eight of which making their debut in the first game of the season against Yeovil Town.
However, despite flashes of quality, Grayson’s tenure was marked by dropped points against Boston, Brackley and Tamworth, as well as a loss to Aldershot away from home, unreflective of the club’s desire of a ‘squad that pushes for promotion next season’ as detailed in a statement following Grayson’s appointment in June.
The final nail in the coffin came with a 1-1 draw away from home to Gainsborough Trinity in the fourth qualifying round of this year's edition of the FA Cup, a bitterly disappointing performance for a club that just three years ago was thriving in League Two and taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the third round of the very same competition.
While Grayson departs, and unrest grows within the fanbase once more, it is hard to think of how the club could appeal to their next manager, who’d be forced to work effectively within an environment that is so shamefully and sadly in decline.