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August
Hartlepool
United entered August with news of a cash windfall after their former
defender Phil Gilchrist completed a £500,000 switch from Oxford United
to Leicester City. When Gilchrist moved from Pool to Oxford in 1995 for
£100,000 after 82 appearances, a sell-on clause was agreed. Pool were
set to earn 25% of the fee received by Oxford. Gilchrist started as a
trainee with Nottingham Forest but failed to break into the team there
or at Middlesbrough before joining Pool on a free transfer. Gilchrist
went on to be one of the most impressive centre half's in recent years.
It was only a matter of time before he let Pool for the big time. Unlike
most players Gilchrist chose Oxford as his next club. A move up a league
seemed a little unambitious, but Gilchrist established himself in the
Oxford side and made a similar impact at the Manor Ground as he did at
Victoria Park. Martin O'Neill watched Gilchrist's progress carefully and
eventually had his bid accepted by cash strapped Oxford. Pool entertained
a Newcastle reserve team at Victoria Park for their final warm up game
before the season started for real. With both teams fielding fringe players
only, a 0-0 draw was the outcome.
Posh 2 Pool 1. The first game proper of the new season saw Pool
travel to Peterborough United. With a large travelling band of Poolies
cheering them on the away side fell behind mid way during the first half.
However Pool hit back quickly and within two minutes pull level through
a scrambled goal from Gary Jones. Chris Turners team look good going forward
with Chris Freestone and Gary Jones combining well. However Posh retook
the lead and even though Pool piled on the pressure, including a long
range effort from Paul Stephenson which hit the post, the first day of
the season ended in defeat. A crowd of 5886 watched the game in glorious
summer sunshine.
Pool 3 Crewe 3. Pool were handed a very difficult first round game
in the Worthington Cup as First division Crewe Alexandra stood in the
way of progress. The first leg at the Vic saw a feast of football and
six goals. Pool took the lead three times, Crewe drew level three times
in a very open game, the first of the new season at the Vic. Tommy Miller
gave the home team a third-minute lead slotting under the Crewe keeper
after being sent free on goal. Colin Little headed Crewe level in the
11th minute. Gus Di Lella curled a 20-yard free kick into the net to put
Pool ahead again in the 48th minute, but Colin Little grabbed his second
soon after in the 54th minute to draw the game level again. Pool went
3-2 up when Paul Stephenson's free kick was deflected in the 60th minute,
but again Pool were frustrated when Colin Cramb scored the best goal of
the game with a 25 yard screamer in the 69th minute.
Pool 0 Halifax 2. The second league game of the season saw a first
home league defeat at Victoria Park.A torrential downpour 30 minutes before
kick off virtually waterlogged the entire playing surface for the first
45 minutes. Pool never got to grips with the difficult conditions and
after strikes from Stoneman and Murphy Pool drew a second league blank
of the new season. Chris Turner turned to the transfer market straight
away and continued with the chase for Jan Ove Pedersen. Pool are now believed
to be trying to get Jan Ove to sign a pre-contract agreement which would
see him join Pool at the end of the Norwegian season in mid October. Jan
is reported to be very happy with the package put to him. However Chris
Turner admitted that even with Jan his side needs strengthening. "I know
the areas where I need to strengthen and I will be making some inquiries
this week".
Carlisle 0 Pool 3. All away days should be like this. In burning
hot sunshine Pool took Carlisle to the cleaners. An impressive following
of Poolies saw Chris Freestone give the away side the early advantage.
In the second half a quick double from Freestone and Tommy Miller wrapped
up Pools first points of the season. Man of the match was newly signed
Thomas Tennebo who on his debut played superbly, taking all the set pieces,
spraying the ball around, setting up chances, he looked a brilliant prospect
even although a long way from full match fitness. He and Miller virtually
ran the midfield by themselves, drive and imagination which was sorely
missing against Halifax. The season had officially begun.
Crewe 1 Pool 0. In the return leg of the first round Worthington
Cup Pool suffered a late blow as they conceded the only goal of the game
in the final minute of normal time. Colin Little grabbed the winner after
Pool had more than matched the division one side in their own back yard.
Pool 0 Cheltenham 1. A second home defeat in the league restarted
the early season alarm bells. This time league newboys Cheltenham Town
took all three points from the clash at the Vic after Neil Grayson netted
from a Devaney free kick. Turner tried to bring in experience Huddersfield
midfielder Barry Horne during the run up to the game, but the deal fell
through and Turner returned to the drawing board.
Shrewsbury 0 Pool 0. Back on their travels and Pool returned to
basics. Just months previous Pool won with a Paul Baker goal at Gay Meadow,
a goal which insured Pool were not cut off at the foot of the third division.
This season some inspired saves from Martin Hollund ensured Pool returned
north with a point in the back pocket. As August drew to a close, Pool
sat in 18th position in division three with just four points registered.
A rocky start to season 1999/00.
The story continues.............September.
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