Experienced midfielder/striker Craig Hignett spent some time training with Pools during 2006/07 after a long career spent mainly at a higher level with the likes of Crewe, Middlesbrough and Barnsley. He turned out for Pools in a couple of reserve matches and impressed the management team enough to be offered a short-term contract in March 2007. He made just two substitute appearances before leaving the club that summer. After a few years of retirement, during which he spent time with Middlesbrough's academy and with local media commitments, Hignett returned to Victoria Park in the summer of 2013 as assistant to new manager Colin Cooper. The pair managed to bring some entertainment back to the Vic as they built a promising young side over the course of the following season, but Hignett would not be around to see that season's end. He handed in his notice in March 2014 to accept a role back at the Riverside. Two years later, Hignett returned to Victoria Park as manager following the departure of Ronnie Moore