League Two Hartlepool United boss Colin Cooper is keen to maintain strong links not only with Middlesbrough but fellow North East clubs Newcastle and Sunderland. This season Cooper has brought in Matty Dolan and Christian Burgess on loan deals from the Championship outfit.
"It's vital we have a relationship with not just Middlesbrough, but Sunderland and Newcastle," he told BBC Look North.
"Obviously we have the two lads on loan so I was on only the phone to Middlesbrough on Wednesday."
"We need to be trying to keep links with the other North East clubs as well as any other places we sign players on loan from," he added.
"Whoever the next Boro manager is, I need to have a very personal relationship with them.
"The developmental relationship is important because it makes Hartlepool better, and gives those players a foothold in league football."
