RECKLESS GUIDE TO HARTLEPOOL UNITED

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 22nd April 2017

Kick Off 3.00pm

Stadium Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ

Telephone 01429 272 584

Club Colours Blue and White Stripes

Nickname The Pool or locally “Pools”

Key Personnel

Dave Jones is the current “Gaffer” at Hartlepool. Jones was a defender with Everton, Preston NE and Coventry before starting his managerial career at Stockport County in 1995. He went on to manage at Southampton, Wolves, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday. He moved to Clarence Road in January 2017 replacing Craig Hignett.

Dave Jones

Brief Directions by Road

A1M to its junction 60. Follow signs for Hartlepool A689, At roundabout turn right still A689. Stay on this road passing Sedgefield. After approx. 12 miles you will reach the village of Newton Bewley which is a nice stop off spot for lunch. Out of village still on A689 and follow Town Centre signs for 3 miles, over two roundabouts. At the traffic lights just past the Blacksmiths Arms on your left, go straight on. At the next traffic lights go straight on again over the bridge into the new marina complex and straight on again at the roundabout into Marina Way. This is the area for the Jackson's Wharf parking. To get to the ground itself continue to the next roundabout and turn left (s/p The North A179, A1048). Turn left at the lights into Clarence Road to the ground. These directions courtesy of HUFC.

Car Parking

Cars can park for £8.00 at the ground unless you look for street parking which is fairly restricted close to the ground.

Directions by Train

An early morning train from Kings Cross will take about four hours. The ground is a 15 minute walk from the station. Turn right into Church Street. Go over the junction with the A 689 and the ground can clearly be seen in front of you on the left.

Eating and Drinking Locally

The Marina Complex which is 200 yards from the ground is full of places to eat and be merry. The Corner Flag is the Supporters Association HQ and visiting fans are made welcome. Always a good place to visit is the Jackson's Wharf Pub near the ground. It has decent food and terrific range of ales.  Inside the ground the Meat & Potato pies are legendary.

Ground Description

The Cyril Knowles Stand is the most recent edition to Victoria Park and a nice one (old 1970’s joke for our older readers). It replaced what was a most precarious old wooden stand. Opposite is the Niramax Stand which was put together in 1968 and is a fine example of early cantilever roof design (i.e. giving an unobstructed view). It sits behind a sturdy bank of terracing. To the right is the home covered terrace called the Town End (but a proper one not like at Southburied Road) while down the other end is our home for the afternoon the Rink End stand which is basic covered seating offering a reasonable view of proceedings although it has supporting pillars along the front.

Admission Prices

Rink End (Seats) Adults £20, Over 60's/Under 16's £10

Previous Meetings and Memories

Last visit was in October 2015 when a John Akinde goal featured in a 1-1 draw.

Other meetings include our relegation season 2000-1 when we were completely thrashed 6-1 at Victoria Park and outclassed at Underhill and beaten 3-1. Better times were in the mid 1990’s when a brilliant Dougie Freedman hatrick was the highlight of a 4-0 win at Underhill in 1995 and a Lee Hodges hatrick also at Underhill in a 5-1 win in 1996.

Lee Hodges

Dougie and Me - Mrs Reckless drools over him still

Celebrity Watch

1960's American pop music phenomenon The Monkees were all fans of the club. Reg Smythe, who invented cartoon character Andy Capp was born here. Wayne Sleep, ballet dancer, was educated here. Yep, that's about it! Oh hold on a minute I forgot to mention SKY Sports Presenter Jeff Stelling who is an avid Pool fan – arguably the best ever football show presenter?

Jeff Stelling

The Monkee Hangers