HARTLEPOOL United legend Tommy Miller is "devastated" by the club's relegation - and slammed the "disastrous" decision making that led Pools to the drop.

Hartlepool's two-year stay in the Football League will come to an end on Monday when they face a Stockport side managed by Dave Challinor, who led Pools to that brilliant promotion just a couple of year ago.

For all that work to be undone pains Miller, who still cares deeply about Pools having made more than 170 appearances for the club over two spells during his playing career.

With relegation confirmed, there's also uncertainty off the pitch at the Suit Direct Stadium, with Raj Singh confirming that he's put the club up for sale.

"It's been a true car crash," Miller told the Northern Echo of Hartlepool's nightmare season.

"It's sad. I've been to a lot of their games this season. I wouldn't say you could see what was coming from a mile off, but it wouldn't be far short.

"The way the club has been managed, not particularly on the field but off the field as well. You're not going to get every player right but the manager who came in from Scotland at the start of the season (PaulHartley) and didn't know anything about the league.

"It was a bit of a car crash and it was such a shame to see them get relegated because of all of the hard work that went in with Dave Challinor to get them out of that National League.

"The National League is a very tough league to get out of. To see Hartlepool get relegated, it's a disaster, a nightmare."

Hartley joined Pools from Cove Rangers last summer but his short tenure didn't go to plan and he was sacked after just nine winless games. Keith Curle was next in the dugout but he was sacked in February and replaced by John Askey.

Askey's arrival sparked an upturn in form but the home defeat to rivals Crawley a couple of weeks ago put Pools on the brink and relegation was confirmed last week, despite a home win over Barrow.

Miller said: "I was at the Crawley game and the game just gone, the atmosphere before the Crawley game was unbelievable. There was 7,000 there and they had to win. That was the game, although Monday gone confirmed the relegation, Crawley was the game they had to win and everyone after that game knew that was it.

"It's an absolute shame and I'm devastated for that club and the fans. It's massive for the region."

As Pools still try to get to grips with the reality of relegation and what it means going forward, ex-boss Challinor could yet lead Stockport to automatic promotion on Monday. His side are two points shy of third-placed Northampton, who due to their inferior goal difference will likely need to win at Tranmere.

While devastated at developments at Pools this season, Miller's immediate focus is on his new job as Julio Arca's assistant manager at South Shields, who will come up against Darlington in National League North next season.

Miller said: "We have momentum here and that can get you a long way. The players that are here are a good group. If we can add to it, who knows what can happen. It's a big jump but we're all excited."