28/6/99 - "I've got the looks, you've got the brains, lets make lots of money".
In the 'Net is now a member of the Geocities 'Pages the Pay'
affiliate program. ITN has teamed up with www.Goto.com and
MSN Expedia (hit this link to the MSN 
Home Page).
Okay so its hardly Wal Mart buys Asda but we've all got to start somewhere. If this does make
any cash whatsoever (I'm not going to hold my breath!) look out for it ALL to be ploughed
back into this website. I'm not trying to make a profit out of ITN, its been around for three
years and this is the first time I've tried anything like this. If its a flop then you'll probably
see the search box's disappear. For more info read the ITN index page. The basics are
as follows :- each search through a www.goto.com seach box (on the left hand navigation
bar) drops 2 cents into the ITN coffers. Each click through to the MSN Home Page
and then on any other link on that Expedia homepage, deposits another 10 cents into the very empty ITN coffers. I look forward to your
assistance with this trial.
19/6/99 - Perkins Solves Left Back Headache [top]
Chris Perkins has become Pool boss Chris Turner's second
signing of the summer again coming to the club on a Bosman
Ruling free transfer. Perkins made 40 appearances for second
division Chesterfield last season and has been tracked by
Turner for sometime. Turner said "I'm delighted to sign him, he is a
player I have wanted for a long time. Chesterfield wanted to keep him because
he has been a regular there but he really wants to come here. We had talks but I
have been waiting for him to return from holiday. Signing Chris gives me some
options and that means Ian Clark can play on the left wing with Chris behind him.''
With the left back position sorted the midfield area becomes Turners
main focus of attention. Talks with Jan Ove Pedersen's agent appear to be going
reasonable well. Originally it was thought that Pool would have to wait until
Jan's contract expired in October to bring the talented midfield star back
to the North East. However recent reports in the press suggest that Pedersen's
club Brann Bergen are suffering from a cash flow problem and may sell Jan
for as little as £50,000 to ease their financial position. Chris Turner may not
know a great deal about Pedersen and is probably wondering what all the fuss
is about. If Pool were to capture Pedersen to add to the recent signs of
Stodder, Jones, Freestone, Henderson and Perkins who all came from second
division clubs, recently released betting odds of between 33-1 and 66-1 for
Pool to take the championship will start to look very tempting indeed.
5/5/99 - More Pre-season Games Arranged [top]
Chris Turner now has a total of eight pre-season games lined up for
his Pool team to tackle before the 1999/2000 third division
campaign. Turner has made his first dip into the transfer market
to capture the signature of former Morpeth Town
striker Kevin Henderson who was with Burnley. Henderson has
signed a two year contract and cost.....nothing!! seems like
another good bit of business from Mr Turner. We still urgently
need a left back though.
July 14th - Billingham Town - 7:30pm
July 17th - MIDDLESBROUGH - 3pm
July 19th - FALKIRK - 7:30pm
July 21st - Morpeth Town - 7:30pm
July 24th - SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY - 3pm
July 27th - Hebburn - 7:30pm
July 28th - Oswestry Town - 7:30pm
July 31st - Telford - 3pm
West Hartlepool RFC maybe about to depart from the Vic
after the 140 members of neighbours Rovers voted 4 to 1 in favour of
discussing a possible ground share at the Friarage. West were
relegated from Premiership One last season and are set to
return to being an amateur club after encountering massive
debts during their first professional year.
19/5/99 - First Pre-season Games Arranged [top]
Chris Turner has moved swiftly to arrange two pre-season
games for Pool at the Vic. Pool will play Middlesbrough
on Saturday 17th of July and then entertain Falkirk on Monday 19th
of July. Kick off for the Monday night match is 7:30pm.
11/5/99 - Turner Announces Retained List [top]
Pool boss Chris Turner suprised a few people today when his
retained list did not have the name of Paul Baker on it. Baker who
has been struggling with injuries all season had looked likely
to receive another years contract to add support to the Pool
frontline. Turner though is set for a busy summer in the transfer
market after releasing eight players. Paul Baker, Peter Beardsley,
Stuart Irvine, Stuart Brightwell, Graham Stokoe, David Rush, Paul Moss
and Darren Timmons. One year contracts have been awarded to Danny
Hughes, Chris Westwood, Gareth Downey, Andy Hay, Richard Foster,
Mark Robinson, Micky Dunwell. Martin Hollund and Graeme Lee have
been offered one year contracts but are still negotiating with
the club. Three month contracts for Glen Downey, Nicky Evans,
Craig Lake, JD Briggs. A six month contract for Paul Cooper.
Already under contract are: Darren Knowles, Ian Clark,
Micky Barron, Denny Ingram, Gary Strodder, Tommy Miller,
Gus Di Lella, Paul Stephenson, Craig Midgley, Gary Jones
and Chris Freestone.
10/5/99 - Southend United 1 Hartlepool United 1 [top]
The Pool midfield needs major surgery, ok we probably already knew
this before Saturday's 1-1 draw at Southend, but this game must have hit
home to Chris Turner just how much work needs to be done during
the close season. We have what looks like one of the best strike
force's in the third division. Gary Jones and Chris Freestone
both look the part, work hard and are sure to get goals on their
own. However without service from the midfield Pool will struggle next
season. Southend took the lead in this game on 29 minutes when
Southend's Burns cleverly back healed the ball into the path of
Maher who chipped over the on rushing Martin Hollund to give the
home side the lead. Both teams struggled to create many clear
cut chances for the remainder of the first half which ended
1-0 to the home side. In the second half Gary Strodder received
his marching orders for a harsh looking second booking. Strodder
will have to change his game for next season. He gets booked to
often and is going to be banned a fair bit!
Substitute Paul 'I've got a headache!' Stephenson tried his luck
from 20 yards after good work from Paul Baker. The ball swerved and
dipped after a vicious smash from the right boot of Stephenson, well
that's what the Southend keeper thought anyway. In truth the ball rolled
along the ground just slightly faster than Mick Tait realising that
replacing Richard Lucas might have been a good idea! The home keeper
managed to allow the ball to slip through his hands giving the travelling
Poolies a goal to cheer, closely followed by a rousing chorus of 'dodgey keeper'.
Ten men Pool pushed forward and could have taken all three points, although
a draw seemed a fair result. An excellent showing by the travelling Poolies
who sang for the full 90 and throughly enjoyed themselves.
Pool team: Hollund, Knowles, Ingram, Barron, Strodder, Di Lella,
Westwood (Stephenson 62mins), Beardsley, Freestone (Baker 62mins), Jones
(Dunwell 89mins), Clark. Bookings: Ingram 34mins (foul), Strodder 44mins (foul),
Baker 71mins (dissent), Clark 89mins (foul). Sending off: Strodder 66 mins
(second bookable offence). Attendance: 4865.
6/5/99 - Millhouse to be Improved / Carlisle go bottom [top]
The Football Trust have announced that Pool are to be given
£500,000 to spend improving facilities on the Millhouse side
of Victoria Park. A loan of £100,000 and another £100,000 from
the club itself will allow £700,000 spent on renew terracing and
improve toilet and catering facilites. This is surely the death
of the Conference Centre idea which HUFC have thrown so so much
money at in the form of architects fees and planning permission.
Carlisle are now bottom of the third division and can see
the whites of the eyes of Mr Relegation. Scarborough fighting
for their lives turned in a convincing performance to beat
Plymouth 3-0 at the Chip pan fire stadium. Steve Brodie put the
Seadogs ahead in the third minute and Chris Tate made sure of the
three points with goals on 74 and 76 minutes.
5/5/99 - Hartlepool United 0 Carlisle United 0 [top]
Pool secured third division football for another season,
and left Carlisle in big big trouble. Both teams looked
very nervous and there was little quality football on show.
Gustavo Di Lella cleared of the Pool line in the 20th minute.
And in the second half Pool looked to have scored when the keeper
fell behind the line with the ball still in his hands. The
linesman however ruled that the whole ball had not crossed
the line. Pool now cannot be caught by Carlisle. Carlisle
however now look in real danger. Scarborough won 1-2 at Halifax
which puts them just two points behind Carlisle with a game
in hand.
Pool team: Hollund, Knowles, Barron, Strodder, Clark,
Ingram, Miller (Westwood 7 mins), Bearsdley, Di Lella,
Freestone, Jones. Attendance: 4568.
30/4/99 - Barron Collects Award Again [top]
Mickey Barron collect the Supporters Association Player
of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Barron
beat Darren Knowles by just three votes. Knowles won away
player of the year with Gareth Downey taking the young player
of the year award and Martin Hollund picking up the Jolly
Boys wooden spoon, I mean award. Sorry lads!!
26/4/99 - Hartlepool United 1 Leyton Orient 0 [top]
Pool took another massive step towards league survival
win this 1-0 win over promotion chasing Leyton Orient. Orient
arrived at the Vic on the back of a 6-1 win over Shrewsbury Town.
To say they were confident is an understatement! But Chris
Turner who had a short spell in charge of Leyton Orient, had his
troops well prepared. Pool took the lead in the 13th minute
when Peter Beardsley scored only his second goal since joined
Pool in the first week of 1999. And what an important goal it
could prove to be. Beardsley collected a Gary Jones flick on from
a Denny Ingram throw in and slotted in to give Pool a priceless lead.
Both teams had goals ruled out in the second
half. Simba netted for Orient on 60 minutes but the referee awarded a foul
against Martin Hollund. And in the final few minutes of the game
Gary Jones had a goal ruled off for a tight offside. But it
didn't matter. 3 more points pushes Pool to within 1 point of
Nationwide Division Three survival.
Pool team: Hollund, Knowles, Barron, Strodder, Clark, Ingram,
Miller, Beardsley, Di Lella, Freestone, Jones. Attendance: 3158.
24/4/99 - Mansfield Town 2 Hartlepool United 0 [top]
An amazing 931 Poolies turned out at Mansfield, its just a shame
the Pool midfield didn't join them! The Stags without a goal for
405 minutes took only 140 seconds to break the deadlock. Most reports
credit the goal to Tony Lormor but personally I reckon Denny Ingram
own goal looked a better bet. Williams launched the ball into the box
and Lormor/Ingram met it will a glancing header from 7 yards. Just as Pool
seemed to be finding their feet, Williams struck a beautiful second for
Mansfield. Ford's left wing cross was half cleared and Williams crashed
home a glorious left foot shot from 20 yards. 38 minutes gone and it was
all up hill from there. Pool huffed and puffed but couldn't blow anything
at all down. However Scarborough lost at home to Cardiff while Carlisle and
Darlow slogged out a 3-3. Pool remain five points ahead of Scarborough and one
ahead of Carlisle. This week see's Pool take on Leyton Orient at the Vic on
Tuesday night, then the big one when Carlisle come to town on Saturday.
Pool team: Hollund, Knowles, Ingram, Barron, Strodder, Hughes, Miller,
Beardsley (Baker, 73mins), Freestone, Jones, Clark. Subs not used: Di Lella,
Stephenson. Booked: Beardsley 39 mins (foul), Barron 62 mins (foul),
Strodder 79 mins (foul). Attendance: 3337
19/4/99 - Hartlepool United 3 Scarborough 0 [top]
It was the perverbial six pointer, a cup final, a must win game
for both teams. The national spotlight was shone on Victoria Park as
the Nationwide League's bottom two clubs met. And with a crowd of 5098
roaring them on it was Pools who came out well and truely on top.
Peter Beardsley for the second home game running rose to the occasion
and played somewhere near his best. Only a debut performance against
Cambridge and the recent 2-0 home win over Chester City have been the only
occasions on which Beardsley has shown the class he undoubtedly has.
It was Beardsley who setup Pools first goal with a 40 yard pass which
Chris Freestone ran onto and slipped under the advancing Seadogs keeper
Tony Parks. For the second a quick Beardsley free kick released Tommy Miller
who was flattened by the on rushing Parks on the edge of the Boro box.
Chris Freestone converted the penalty off the inside of the left hand post.
And to wrap the game up 4 minutes into injury time Paul Baker chested down a
Gustavo Di Lella cross and volleyed it 'in the net' to send to home fans
wild and the away fans back to Scarborough with their tails well and truely
between their legs. See you next year Boro? who knows!!
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Ingram, Barron, Strodder, Hughes, Miller,
Beardsley, Freestone, Jones (Baker, 83 mins), Clark (Di Lella, 49 mins).
Sub not used : Dibble. Bookings : None, Attendance : 5098.
14/4/99 - Swansea City 1 Hartlepool United 0 [top]
Pools recent turn around in form ended at play off chasing Swansea City
last night. The only goal of the game was scored in the 56th minute
by Swansea's Smith. Richard Appleby's right sided free-kick was knocked back
by Stephen Jones and Smith netted from close range with a right footed
effort. This result and Carlisle's 0-0 draw with Hull
mean Pool slip back one place to 23rd. Scarborough are still 2 points behind
Pool but now have two games in hand, starting with tonight's home match
with Pools local rivals Darlington. Then of course Scarborough come to the
Vic on Saturday. Carlisle are one point ahead of Pool but we have a game
in hand on them. Carlisle have take just two points from their last two
home games and have a difficult run in, including you guessed it, a
visit to the Vic!!
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Barron, Strodder, Ingram, Clark,
Beardsley, Hughes (Baker, 85 mins), Stokoe, Freestone, Jones. Subs not used : Di Lella, Stephenson. Booked : Strodder 58 mins (foul), Clark 60 mins (foul), Ingram
90 mins (dissent). Attendance : 4429.
10/4/99 - Hartlepool United 2 Chester City 0 [top]
Pools fight against relegation, although starting a little late is
now picking up pace. A second win in a weeks takes Pool of the bottom and
confidence is now flowing through the club. Pool made light work of a
swirling wind and a bumpy pitch to brush aside Chester. Chris Freestone
chalked up his first goal for Pool with a three yard harder from an Ian
Clark right wing free-kick on 32 minutes. In the second half Peter Beardsley
put in his best showing since joining Pool and it was his defence spliting
ball which sent Gary Jones clear for his first goal for Pool with a neat finish
push the ball wide of the Chester keeper and it the far corner of the goal.
Pool had chances to extend their lead but couldn't add the score.
Debut goals for Pools new £150,000 strike force will lift pressure
off both Jones and Freestone and the club in general. As a partnership they
have the chance to drag Pool out of trouble this season and torture third
division defences next season.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Ingram, Barron, Westwood, Hughes, Stokoe,
Beardsley, Freestone, Jones, Clark. Subs not used : Baker, Stephenson, Hutt.
Bookings : None. Attendance : 2413.
6/4/99 - Shrewsbury Town 0 Hartlepool United 1 [top]
Substitute Paul Baker grabbed a priceless survival goal for Pool
with just three minutes left on the clock. A forgettable contest ended in
high drama when Shrewsbury defender Kevin (excellent name!) Seabury was
sent off after handling on the line to keep out Gary Strodder's goalbound
header. Denny Ingram stepped up to take the spot kick (although watching the
tv pictures it looked like Freestone wanted to take it to me) and had his
kick saved by home keeper Edwards diving to his left. But and thank god
for this but, Paul Baker was first to the follow up and slide the ball
past a defender and under the keeper. Cue mayhem and much relief. Pool then
held out and collected their first win under new boss Chris Turner.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Barron, Strodder, Ingram, Hughes, Beardsley,
Di Lella (Westwood, 72 mins), Clark, Freestone, Jones (Baker, 78 mins).
Sub not used : Stokoe. Bookings : Di Lella 66 mins (foul).
Attendance : 3187.
3/4/99 - Hartlepool United 0 Brentford 1 [top]
In thick fog, Pools hopes of survival nose-dived again as Brentford
tightened their grip on promotion. New Pool boss Chris Turner is yet to win
after six attempts and this result sent Pool to the bottom of the third
division. The only goal of the game came after 32 minutes when Lloyd
Owusu lashed home a ten yard half volley, after fellow striker Scott
Partridge had seen his shot blocked by the Pool defence. In the second
half Pool throw everything they had a Brentford with a forward line
of Freestone, Jones and Baker. However the conditions and strength of
Brentford's defence stop Pool from grabbing a deserved point.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles (Ingram, 86 mins), Clark, Barron, Strodder,
Hughes, Di Lella, Beardsley (Stokoe, 79 mins), Freestone, Jones, Brightwell
(Baker, 46 mins). Bookings: Barron, 40 mins foul. Attendance : 2719.
29/3/99 - Torquay 3 Hartlepool United 0 [top]
This relegation six pointer was the tale of two new strikers.
Pool included for the first time in their line up £75,000 worth
of ex-Boro hitman Chris Freestone, signed from Northampton on transfer
deadline day. Torquay included £70,000 league of Wales hotshot Eifion Williams.
With 90 goals to his name in two seasons, Williams step up to league football
was no suprise, Pool boss Chris Turner has watched the player himself. It was Williams who stole the headlines with a debut hat-trick for his new team. Missing the influence of skipper Micky Barron through suspension, Chris Turner also gave a debut to Chris Westwood, recently signed as defensive cover. Williams started
the ball rolling with his first on 37 minutes. In the second half, Turner
introduced Freestone, replacing Paul Baker. But soon afterwards Williams
collected his secondon 58 minutes. The three points were well wrapped up for
Torquay in the 73rd minute when Williams completed an amazing debut for his
new team.
Pool are now joint bottom with resurgent Scarborough, and the Seadogs
have a game in hand. Pool need to find some confidence and supply for Jones
and Freestone quickly, or it'll be too late. Next week Pool face a difficult
home match when third placed Brentford bring their promotion bang wagon
up to the North East. Scarborough face a difficult trip to equally resurgent
Hull.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Westwood, Strodder, McKinnon, Clark (Brightwell, 52 mins),
Miller, Beardsley, Ingram, Jones, Baker (Freestone, 52 mins). Unused sub: Hughes. Booked: Strodder,
Clark. Bookings: Miller, 14 mins foul. Stodder, 60 mins foul. Attendance: 1927
22/3/99 - Hartlepool United 0 Brighton Hove Albion 0 [top]
Both teams went into this match with terrible recent records. Pool without
a win in 5 games and Brighton on a losing streak of 5 games. Niether side
could make the break through and take the three points. Pool spent most of the
game on the attack, but a stern Brighton defence kept the home teams chances
to a minimum. Pool had four penalty appeals turned down with a trip on
Paul Baker being the most obvious and clear claim. Chris Turner is still looking
for his first win a Pool boss and will no doubt be aiming to further strengthen
his squad in the run up to transfer deadline day on Thursday. Turner claims
a new striker and midfielder are his targets and has one more loan left to use
this season. Next up for Pool is a relegation six pointer away to Torquay.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Barron, Strodder, McKinnon, Miller (Hughes, 53 mins),
Clark, Beardsley, Stephenson, Jones, Irvine (Baker, 59 mins). Unsub: Ingram.
Bookings: Clark (39 mins, foul). Attendence : 2353.
16/3/99 - Plymouth Argyle 0 Hartlepool United 0 [top]
Chris Turners' mean Pool defence kept their second clean sheet
of his reign. Under Turner and new central defender Gary Strodder Pool
have conceeded only one goal, and that was a penalty at Peterborough.
The signing last week of Notts County marksman Gary Jones should
end the relative drought at the other end and Pool 'should' begin to pull
away from bottom club Scaraborough. Rome as some famous person
once famously said, wasn't built in a day!
Jones is Turners first real signing, the Strodder deal had been
lined up before Turner had put pen to contract. Jones at 29 looks
an absolute steal. He collected the third division golden boot last
season scoring 28 goals in the promotion team skippered by Mr Strodder.
The fee for Jones was 'undisclosed' but it is believed to be more
than the £60,000 Pool paid Barnsley for Andy Saville.
There doesn't seem to be much to report about this match. Pool
held firm, working hard to contain the Pilgrims attack. And only
occasionally breaking forward themselves. If this is the way Pool
have to play to get out of relegation trouble then so be it. If you
don't conceed, you don't lose. Captain Michael Barron was sent off
in the dying seconds, Ian Clark had commited himself to a missed tackle
and Barron had no option but to stop Arglye's Dwight Marshall by fair means
or foul. A second yellow card and a one match ban for Barron.
Jones had a quiet game, which is to be expected. It will take him
a few games to get back upto speed with the third division.
Pool team : Hollund, Knowles, Strodder, Barron, McKinnon, Ingram (Hughes 85),
Clark, Miller, Beardsley, Baker, Jones (Lee 90). Unused sub : Rush. Booked : Barron,
Sent Off : Barron (2 yellows). Attendance : 4441.
Apr - Jun 99
