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

Telephone: 01429 272 584

Club Colours: Blue and White Stripes

Nickname: The Pool

Key Personnel: Current manager Ronnie Moore played over 600 games in The Football League for Tranmere, Cardiff, Charlton, Rochdale and Rotherham. He has managed at Rotherham (twice), Tranmere (twice), Oldham and Southport. He took the reins at Victoria Park in December 2014.

Brief Directions by Road: A1M to its junction 60. Follow signs for Hartlepool A689. At the roundabout turn right still on the A689. Stay on this road passing Sedgefield. After approximately 12 miles, you will reach the village of Newton Bewley which is a nice stop off spot for something to eat. Go out of the village still on the A689 and follow Town Centre signs for three 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 at the ground unless you look for street parking which is fairly restricted close to the ground.

Directions by Train: Hartlepool station is a 15 minute walk to the ground. Once out of the station, turn right into Church Lane. Trains home will be as rare as a John Cosgrove buying a round of drinks.

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. 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 while down the other end is our home for the evening, 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 60s/U16s £10.

Previous Meetings and Memories: Last visit was in October 2006 when it was a long way home on the end of a 2-0 defeat. Looking at the team that day when you totalled up the years of just four of the players – Harrison, Hendon, Hessenthaller and Warhurst, who all started, it was nearly 150!

Other meetings include our relegation season 2000-01 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 hat trick was the highlight of a 4-0 win at Underhill in 1995 and a Lee Hodges hat trick also at Underhill in a 5-1 win in 1996.

Celebrity Watch: 1960s 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?

Reckless