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31/8/99 - Shrewsbury Town 0 Hartlepool United 0
Back to basics for Pool and a hard earned point away to Shrewsbury. Pool boss Chris Turner was forced into several changes to the team that lost 0-1 to Cheltenham on Saturday. Martin Hollund replaced Andy Dibble, Chris Perkins replaced Darren Knowles who dropped down to the bench, Micky Barron missed the game because of flu and was replaced by Chris Westwood, Tommy Miller returned to the midfield and replaced Gus Di Lella, Chris Freestone also missed the match through a bout of flu and was replaced by Craig Midgley. In the first half both teams had chances to open the scoring with Gary Stodder and Gary Jones going closest for Pool. In the second half Pool found themselves on the back foot, but an inspired Martin Hollund performance meant Pool held on for a point. Chris Turner will continue to look for a new face in midfield this week to boost the service to the club's strikers hopefully in time for Saturday's home game with Southend. This game is 12 o'clock kick off to avoid clashing with the England Euro 2000 qualifier.

Pool team : Hollund, Perkins, Westwood, Strodder, Ingram, Clark, Tennebo, Miller, Stephenson, Jones, Midgley. Subs : Knowles, Boyd, Hughes, Henderson, Dibble. Attendance : 1803.

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28/8/99 - Hartlepool United 0 Cheltenham Town 1
Ermm right here we go then, Pools second home defeat of the season and it was worse than Halifax. Tommy Miller missed the game through injury and was replaced by Gus Di Lella. Graeme Lee also missed the match through injury and was replaced by Denny Ingram at the heart of the defence. The only goal of the game arrived in the 36th minute, from a free kick Devaney found space on the right and his low cross was bundled goalwards by Neil Grayson. Andy Dibble blocked but then failed to clear the ball which allowed defender Neil Howarth to smash the ball into the back of the net. It looked easier for Andy Dibble to actually pick the ball up but he chose to swing a leg at it and got no clearance at all, a point Ian Clark was quick to make with Dibble after the ball crossed the line. Pool looked devoid of ideas and continued to put high balls into the box, leaving Chris Freestone and Gary Jones with very little chance to win anything in the air against the towering Cheltenham central defenders. In the 57th minute Chris Turner made a double substitution in the hope of turning things around. Off came Darren Knowles and Gus Di Lella and on came Chris Perkins and Craig Midgley. Turner switched to a 4-4-2 system. Pool huffed and puffed but looked like they could play all night without scoring a goal. A final throw of the dice saw Kevin Henderson come on for Thomas Tennebo but still Pool looked lost and poor when in attack.

Pool team : Dibble, Knowles (Perkins 57), Barron, Strodder, Ingram, Clark, Di Lella (Midgley 57), Stephenson, Tennebo (Henderson 86), Freestone, Jones. Subs not used : Hollund, Hughes. Attendance : 2390.

Pools first 11 beat Carlisle 3-0 easily. From that team take out the one midfielder and one central defender. Replace them with Ingram and Di lella. The result? a terrible performance. There's no point papering over the cracks, the bottom line is Chris Turner does not have strengthen in depth. And he knows it, his bid to bring Barry Horne in on loan from Huddersfield in midweek failed but Turner has got to get somebody in to inject ideas and drive into the midfield. For all his tricks this season Stephenson is not pulling his weight. Gus Di Lella is not reproducing his pre-season form. Tennebo looked the best of the midfield trio and he's only been at the club just over a week. Its a pity the 11 players on the pitch couldn't show the same sort of passion Pool boss Chris Turner shows on the touch line. It was clear to see Turner was disgusted with his players as the final minutes of this game ticked away. Turner has more hard work ahead of him.

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24/8/99 - Crewe Alexandra 1 Hartlepool United 0 (4-3 Agg.) [top]
Pool exited the Worthington Cup at the first hurdle again this season after a battling performance at Gresty Road. A goal from Colin Little with just over a minute to go sealed a 1-0 win on the night and a 4-3 aggregate win for first division Crewe.

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21/8/99 - Carlisle United 0 Hartlepool United 3 [top]
A guess would be 800-1000 Poolies travelled across to Carlisle for Pools third league game of the season. As usual the away support was fantastic and sang for the full 90 minutes and generally had a great day out in the sunshine. Chris Turner made a couple of changes to his Pool team, Greame Lee replaced Denny Ingram at the heart of the three man defence. Ian Clark replaced the injured Chris Perkins at left wing back, and Tomas Tennebo came in for his debut in place of Gus Di Lelle. A quick start for Pool saw Chris Freestone twist round and bend a 15 yard shot in the top corner of the net after just three minutes when Tennebo quickly returned a corner back into the danger area. This was the sort of early confidence boost both Freestone and Pool desperately needed. The remainder of the first half saw both teams missing chances and a few bookings for some very strong tackles. Pool looked happy to get to half time 0-1 up. In the second Pool were attacking towards the end of the main stand with the Poolie faithful in it. On 52 minutes Gary Jones sent a ball towards Freestone, it looked like the last defender would cut it out, but under pressure from the lighting quick Freestone he hesitated and Chris Freestone pounced for his second of the game, slipping the ball under the body of the advancing Weaver, cue huge celebrations right in front of the Poolies. Four minutes later and it was all over. Tommy Miller cut in from the right, spotted Weaver off his line and chipped him from just outside the box. A cool finished from a very happy Tommy. Cue even more celebrations in front of the wildly celebrating Poolies. Tennebo was denied one late on and the rebound was smashed goalwards by Miller, but Weaver blocked with his legs. Jones was also denied. 0-3, great result. Man of the match, Thomas Tennebo on his debut played superbly, taking all the set pieces, spraying the ball around, setting up chances, he looks a brilliant prospect and is still along 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 has officially begun.

Pool team : Dibble, Knowles, Barron (Ingram 84), Strodder, Lee, Clark, Miller, Stephenson, Tennebo, Jones (Henderson 86), Freestone (Midgley 86). Unused subs : Hollund, Di Lella. Attendance: 4033.

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17/8/99 - Loan Signing! [top]
Pool boss Chris Turner is already looking to strengthen his Pool team after only three games of the new season. Turner's main target remains Jan Ove Pedersen, Pool are now believed to be trying to get Jan Ove to sign a pre-contract agreement with Pool 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 Pool have put to him. However Chris Turner has 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". Whether this is true is of course a different story altogether. Turner already has a large squad and has Thomas Tennebo to come in this week. The attack certainly does not need strengthening, in defence Turner has Graeme Lee and Chris Westwood on the bench, perhaps some pressure on Darren Knowles is Turner's thinking. The only obvious need for strengthening is the midfield. With Tennebo now on board Turner has the following players to chose from for just three midfield berths: Clark, Di Lella, Stephenson, Tennebo, Miller and Hughes. How many other third division teams have six midfielders with genuine first team experience and are still trying to sign a former Norwegian international?

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14/8/99 - Hartlepool United 0 Halifax Town 2 [top]
Uh oh, this isn't going to plan is it? Pools second league game of the season, the first leauge match at the Vic and a second league defeat. A torential 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. Gary Strodder returned to the heart of the defence, replacing Graeme Lee who dropped down to the bench. The first half was comically poor, with the puddles winning 90% of possesion and tackles!! In the 3rd minute Chris Freestone drilled a low cross shot towards the Shaymen goal, the ball went through the legs of keeper Adamson but Mark Settori was on hand to smash the ball off the goal line. Chris Tate became the first name in the referee's book after a very heavy sliding tackle on Denny Ingram in the seventh minute. In the 15th minute Tate got a free header from the first corner of the game but the ball flew over Andy Dibble's cross bar. In the 27th minute a Jules' cross was well headed away by Gary Strodder just as Chris Tate was closing in. In the 42nd minute Murphy hit a 25 yard shot which went inches over the Pool bar. HT 0-0

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw Halifax camped in the Pool half. In the 54th minute Halifax created their best chance of the game. Gaughan carved out an opening for Paterson who sneaked through the Pool back line and Andy Dibble raced off his line to smother his 15 yard effort. In the 56th minute Pool hit back as the tireless Gary Jones battled his way through and Gus Di Lella who smashed an 18 yard effort past Adamson's right hand post with just the keeper to beat. In the 65th minute Tommy Miller profited from more Jones hard work and found himself with just Adamson to beat, but the keeper blocked well. Chris Freestone was replaced by Kevin Henderson in the 73rd minute. Freestone struggled to get to grips with the conditions and lack of service from the Pool midfield. Unlike Jones if the ball is not delivered to Freestone's feet he can have a very quiet game. Halifax though took the lead immediately after the Pool change. Gaughan floated in a left wing free kick which was met by a powerful Stoneman header which gave Andy Dibble no chance. Seconds after the restart Pool had a gilt edged chance to draw level, Gary Jones raced through on goal but under pressure from the Halifax defence his first shot was blocked by Adamson and Mark Settori swept away the rebound. In the 76th minute Halifax doubled their lead. Gaughan's corner was cleared to Murphy who blasted the ball in the top corner of the net from 20 yards. Again no chance for Dibble. Turner then sent on Ian Clark for Di Lella and finally Craig Midgley replaced the clearly unhappy Micky Barron who threw down the captains arm band as he left the pitch. There was no way back into the game for Pool. FT 0-2.

Pool team: Dibble, Knowles, Barron (Midgley), Strodder, Ingram, Perkins, Di Lella (Clark), Stephenson, Miller, Jones, Freestone (Henderson). Subs not used : Hollund, Lee. Attendance : 2719.

Where was the midfield? Poor performances by Tommy Miller, Gus Di Lella and Paul Stephenson cripppled Pool today. Jones again worked his socks off but really should be running at defences not having to drop back and win the ball. Chris Freestone will continue to struggle if the midfield can not provide him with quality service. Chris Turner will not be hitting the panic button, but there's is work to be done on the training ground this week. The conditions cannot be blamed for the result as Halifax coped much better than Pool. Next week, away to Carlisle. A game in which Pool MUST do better.

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10/8/99 - Hartlepool United 3 Crewe Alexandra 3 (Worthy Cup) [top]
Pool took the lead three times, Crewe drew level three times in this 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 have a difficult task in the return game, but showed tonight they can easily open up the Crewe defence and are quite capable of scoring at Gresty Road in a fortnight. Next up, Halifax at the Vic this Saturday.

Pool team: Dibble, Knowles, Barron, Lee, Ingram, Perkins, Di Lella, Stephenson, Miller, Jones, Freestone (Midgley). Subs not used: Henderson, Westwood, Clarke, Hollund. Attendance: 1836.

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10/8/99 - Pool to Get Gilchrist Windfall [top]
Hartlepool United are set for a cash windfall after their former defender Phil Gilchrist completed a £500,000 switch from Oxford to Leicester. When he moved from Pool to Oxford in 1995 for £100,000 after 82 appearances, a sell-on clause was agreed. Pool are now 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.

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30/7/99 - News Round Up [top]
Three more preseason friendlies played since the last news entry. Turner started with his strongest squad against a Sheffield Wednesday reserve team, Pool ran out easy winners 4-1 win two goals a piece for Gary Jones and Chris Freestone. Away to Hebburn a young Pools side picked up a 0-1 win with Micky Dunwell collecting his second preseason goal. And finally all 19 first teamers got a game at Oswestry Town and cruised to a 2-7 victory. Goals for Jones(2), Henderson(2), Midgley(2) and one for Freestone. The new strip has been shown for the first time. The picture is on the ITN index page. The Pedersen deal is still very much in the balance. The last installment seemed to be Brann indicating they would be offering Jan an improved deal from the earlier one he turned down. Ballistic! new design for Flying Pig, oooohhhhh suits you sir! Apparently Ben says Ballistic! and In the 'Net should be complimenting each other. Don't I always?? your site is fantastic were would we be without it??

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22/7/99 - Morpeth Town 2 Hartlepool United 4 [top]
Virtually Pools reserve team this, but back to winning ways anyway. 2-0 at half time, 4-2 at the death. Goals from Andy Hay (2), Micky Dunwell (did he do well!! boom boom!) and one for a trailist from Lincoln called James Bridges. Next friendly game is the home match with Sheffield Wednesday. Prices are reduced but there again its not going to be a Wednesday first team.

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20/7/99 - 1 Win, 2 Defeats, Who Cares? [top]
You'll all already know this so I won't go into great detail. The message board is rapidly becoming the new news page. Which is good, keep up the good work message board message leavies. Pool beat Billingham Town 4-0 with goals from Freestone, Di Lella, Ingram and a debut goal in his debut game for Mr Kevin Henderson. Then Gazza and Boro came to town at left with a 2-0 win and finally for the moment a virtual Pool second string in terms of firepower lost 2-1 to Falkirk at the Vic. Next up is Morpeth and another chance for Turner to try a few things out. Mark McGhee is back at the club assisting Turner while Jackie Honour recovers from a knee operation. Jan Ove is apparently going to tell Matthew Kelly who is going to be joining soon. Fingers crossed its "tonight Matthew, I'm going to be a Poolie".

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14/7/99 - I believe I can Fly! [top]
Just a quick reminder, you get can around the great big long Geocities URL for In the 'Net by simply typing in fly.to/itn no need for http's or any thing like that. Quick simply and convenient.

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14/7/99 - Double Dutch? [top]
Good song that, Dope Smuggers apparently, I don't know whether they are, but that's what they call themselves. Groove Armada though, At the River, that's my tip for mega success this summer. Right lets talk turkey. Pool visit Billingham Town tonight for the first of the preseason friendlies Chris Turner has lined up. Looking likely to be involved is Dutch trialist Arend Regeer. He's 24 years old, available on a Bosman ruling free transfer from Dutch first division club Telstar. He's played for his countries Under 19 side and is 6 feet and 1 inch on the old tape measure. Chris Turner says "He is typical Dutch player with strong passing skills and good technique. I am looking to strengthen the central midfield area and hopefully he can fit the bill. There may be a lot of foreign players flooding the league at the moment and although it may be affecting our game, you cannot go around with your eyes shut. If there is a player who will add quality to your side then I will have no hesitation in looking at him, whether he is foreign or English. But he has got to be better than what I can get here and should improve the team. Arend has been recommended to me and I will have a close look at him over the next two weeks. He is very keen to play here and now has the chance to show what he can do".