Former Carlisle United defender Darren Kelly is set to leave Hartlepool United after a short-lived spell.

Kelly has been sporting director at the north east club since February.

But it has announced that the ex-Blues man will leave in September.

Family reasons have been cited for the decision.

Kelly, Pools said, will step down once most of the club's summer transfer business has been completed.

"The club and Darren have been in conversation about this for some time and have mutually agreed due to Darren’s personal circumstances and his need to spend more time with family at this point," a statement said.

“We are disappointed to lose him but family always comes first," said Monkey Hangers chairman Raj Singh, whose club were relegated from League Two to the National League last season.

"Darren has done a great job and the search for a new sporting director is under way."

Kelly said he was proud of the work he has done at Victoria Park since February, thanking his colleagues and added: "I am grateful for this journey and I’m looking forward to taking some time out before assessing what my next challenge might be.”

Kelly, 44, had previously held a similar position in League Two with Newport County and has been manager of clubs including Oldham Athletic, FC Halifax Town, Scarborough Athletic and Hyde United.

His playing days included a two-year spell with Carlisle after joining for £100,000 from home-city club Derry City in 2002.

Kelly made 54 appearances and scored two goals, the majority of his games coming under the management of Roddy Collins, followed by a handful of outings under Paul Simpson.

He was part of the Blues side that reached the LDV Vans Trophy final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in 2003, when Collins' side lost 2-0 to Bristol City.