Monkey business

Hartlepool United v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday October 28th 2006, 3pm

Hartlepool had an indifferent start to life back in League Two, not helped by a transfer embargo which was only lifted in August.

The squad also lost striking threats Adam Boyd and Chris Llewellyn, while new signing Michael Proctor has a knee injury. But Danny Wilson has a good track record as manager and they soon found their feet and goal scoring touch, with some impressive recent displays to push them up the table and earn Wilson the (dreaded) manager of the month for September. It's not gone as smoothly since. Of course, this is a must-win game as a derby - we last played Poolie in an exciting Carling Cup match last year. Both sides look different but we will be looking for revenge.

Man to watch: Jon Daly Can't stop scoring recently and will be the main threat - reprieved from suspension after a red card last week was rescinded.

All ticket - Darlington allocation SOLD OUT. Admission: 900 seats maximum, prices £18 (£9).

Hartlepool United FC: Victoria Park. Clarence Rd, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ Tel: (01429) 272584 History: Formed in 1908 as a professional club, eventually overtaking original amateur side West Hartlepool (founded 1881); the main stand was destroyed by a German Zeppelin in 1916. Hartlepools Utd join the League in 1921, they also sign a player from Workington for £10 and a box of kippers. Lose to Chelsea in the FA Cup in 1956, before losing a year later 4-3 to the Busby Babes in front of club record crowd. 'Keeper Ken Simpkins sent up front and scores winner v Port Vale, 1964. John McGovern makes debut as 16-year-old schoolboy in 1966 - he follows manager Brian Clough during career and lifts European Cup with Forest. First promotion in history in 1968, but relegated following season. Bankrupt Middlesbrough, locked out of Ayresome Park, play opening fixture at Victoria Ground in 1986. Go record 1,227 minutes without scoring in 1993. Record Attendance: 17,426 v Manchester United, FA Cup 3rd Rd. 5th Jan 1957. Honours: None really, except Div3 runners up 2002-2003, Div3N runners-up 1956/57. Record victory: 10-1 v Barrow, Div Four, 4 April 1959 Defeat: 1-10 v Wrexham, Fourth Division, 3rd March 1962 Nicknames: Poolie, the Monkey Hangers. Colours: White and Blue. Last season: Relegated from Div 1 - 21st Manager: Danny Wilson Chairman: Ken Hodcroft. Players out: January: Jon Daly (Dundee Utd) Gavin Strachan (Peterboro - loan); Summer: Adam Boyd (Luton), Chris Llewellyn (Wrexham), Andy Appleby, Darren Craddock (York), Steve Istead, Hugh Robertson, Jack Wilkinson, James Winter, Darrell Clarke (Rochdale - loan) Players in: January: Andy Monkhouse (Swindon), Richard Barker (Mansfield, £80,000); Summer: Willie Boland (Cardiff), Michael Proctor (Rotherham) Famous fans/players/connections: Jeff Stelling (Sky Sports TV presenter), Phil Middlemiss (ex-Coronation Street actor), Brian Clough (ex-manager), H'Angus The Money a.k.a. the mayor of Hartlepool; Joe Allon, Brian Honour, Peter Beardsley (players). Cyril Knowles, Alan Murray, Mick Tait, Ian Clark (just some of the Darlo-Pool connections). Click for Streetmap of ground

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Victoria Park is off the main A179, opposite Hartlepool marina, north of the Middleston Grange shopping centre. At junction 49 of the A1, you take the A19 and exit at the signpost for the A179 Hartlepool, or from the south the A4689 Hartlepool. There's parking at Jackson's Wharf at the marina, five minutes walk away, or behind the away end and some limited street parking.	A short walk from the station, right into Church Street, then it's right again into Clarence Road past the church and the stadium's on the left.
Taxis Station Taxis Tel: 01429 277777 ABC CabsTel: 01429 862777 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach 1.30pm, £9. Contact: 01325 243911. See DAFTS Info for more details.	Suggested trains: Darlington: Trains roughly every hour. 12.06 via Thornaby (12.23) 12.37-arr Hartlepool 13.01. Rtn: 17.15-Thornaby (17.37) 17.59-arr 18.23; or 17.39-Thornaby (18.02) 18.29-arr 18.49. Fare: £5.70 day return.

Apart from the footie, you can visit Hartlepool's marina, which is recreating the Victorian look and includes restaurants and shops. Hartlepool otherwise isn't exactly dipping its toe much in cyberspace, but there is a tongue-in-cheek Alternative Hartlepool guide to make up for the lack of an official one...

Of course the exploits of H'Angus, the 'Pool's chimp mascot, winning the town's mayoral election put the town on the map.

Their other famous local politician was Peter Mandelson, who's been a bit of a monkey at times as well. Other famous Poolie people - the fictional Des Barnes of Coronation Street fame, and the cartoonist who devised that famous monument to sloth and male chauvanism Andy Capp.

Hartlepool Tourist Information: (01429) 266522 or try destinationhartlepool.com For accommodation, there is a Premier Travel Inn at the marina, or try the Oakroyd Hotel, 133 Park Rd, 01429 864 361 (B&B £32 single, £45 double) which is 10 minutes walk from the ground and gives a friendly welcome.

Jackson's Wharf Jackson's Landing Marinas Lane Popular pre-match haunt at the marina, with Cameron's beers and all-day meals. Ales included Deuchar's Strongarm and Banks' Original. There's plenty of seating and a marina-side beer garden. Away-fan friendly. Less than 10 minutes walk from the ground - follow the signs over the dual carrigeway.DAFTS recommended. Click for map There's a Burger King opposite The Wharf pub and a Macdonald's in the shopping centre and also near the marina. Church Street near the station also has a selection of decent restaurants and chippies.

Causeway, Vicarage Gardens, nr Stranton church The real ale choice in town, Victorian building and oak panelling. Cameron's beers plus changing ale selection. CAMRA-recommended and local award-winner. Click for streetmap Knights 25-27 Church Square Real ale pub near the station in a converted grocer's shop, with Castle Eden beers - the local brew. DAFTS recommended. The Brewer & Firkin, 2 Whitby Street Decent pub, known for fine pub food. Jackson's Arms, Tower Street Large traditional pub in the town centre, with Taylor's Landlord among ale served. There's also a Yates's, 4 Victoria Rd near the shopping centre. Opposite that the King John, South Rd is a Wetherspoon's. The Cleveland CAMRA branch have a pub list on their website, should you need any more.

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Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Cleveland CAMRA
Hotels/B&Bs Hartlepool Mail This Is H'pool

Surfing there...

Poolie have a good choice of decent websites and fanzines. The excellent Monkey Business fanzine has its web version, where past issues are download-able. The Official HUFC site is OK, but there's the comprehensive In The Net Rivals site before you need to go near that. The now defunct and dormant equivalent of the DAFTS site is Inside Hartlepool From A Distance and it now has a column on ITN.

Next away match:
Tranmere Rovers (Johnstone Paints Trophy - Tues October 31st)
Lincoln City (Sat November 18th)

© DAFTS 2006. No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.