retired_embartl

That was on the Sunday. On the Monday hosted Hull in what was really a must win game to get the faltering play-off push back on track. With Clara at his side, Ryan instructed his side to simply relax and not worry about any outside pressures if they could help it - and strangely it seemed to work - as the hosts were the better side for the majority of the match, chances came and went before Chris Plummer did score shortly before half time lashing home a rebound. At 1-0 confidence was back with the side and Ryan was relieved. The second 45 was similar though without the goal, as Hartlepool ended the losing spell and with 3 games remaining, they were just inside in the top 7.

"Cheers love, that was fantastic."

"It wasn't me, it was you, just give yourself some belief - and be happy, don't worry!"

"I hate that song. I have belief, I just wish the players did, anyway Plymouth are the next challenge - they're directly below us and we're off to their place."

"You'll be fine. Trust me - anyway - I do have to go now, can't afford to get sacked. Come down and visit at the seasons end - I'll be waiting."

She left with a quick kiss, a turn and headed out the door. Ryan returned to his desk and smiled. What a refreshing break. He was lucky to have someone like her, and though he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was exactly, but he did feel as though perhaps the side would go up this year, well fingers crossed anyway.

The Plymouth match brought out both the best and the worst of Ryan's side in a 3-3 draw. The result, Ryan would have taken before the match but not after an hour's play with his team having brilliant set up a 3-1 led. Rugged defending had once again been required, and with Kevin Henderson, Paul Stephenson and Lee Fitzpatrick all scoring, hopes were high of a fantastic victory, but with 25 minutes to go the team let their guard slip - the hosts scored twice in two minutes and suddenly the direction of the game changed with Plymouth very much on top for the rest of the game.

Still, there were positives - Adam Boyd made a return to the side after spending a few hours each week helping the elderly, and Tony Williams was superb in his return to the side and he had been forgiven somewhat for his sending off earlier. He wasn't at fault for the goals though - they were simply examples of good finishing capitalising on error-strewn passes in midfield, Kenneth Jorgensen not exactly pressing his claim for a regular berth too well on that afternoon's showing.

Soon after there was interesting news from Pride Park - Jim Smith had quit the reigns at Derby County. Ryan's mind was thinking the opportunity to take over at Premiership ( albeit about to be relegated ) club was a good one - and of course he'd move so much closer to Clara. Yet his loyalty to Hartlepool was important to him - and very sadly this would simply be a case of right job, definitely wrong time. The words "bugger" left his lips quite regularly when that news got out. Perhaps he was also forgetting the possibility of a random third division manager getting the offer in the first place, but it was still disappointing.

With their destiny still in their hands though, Hartlepool hosted Southend in the last home league fixture of the campaign knowing that if results went their way a play off place could actually be secured today. It would of course be exceptionally tough - the visitors were 10th in the league but only 4 points behind Ryan's side - they technically still had a chance, and it was therefore annoying to lose both Paul Stephenson and Tony Williams to injury before kick off - for them, their season was over now. Unsurprisingly the match proved a tough encounter, with the visitors extra bit of desire coming on strong in the first half. Leo Fortune West though seemed to turn the tide when he scored his 20th league goal of the season half way through, but an agonising mistake from Paul Blades allowed the visitors back in on the stroke of half time. The second half saw a tight match with chances at a premium, and though Ryan thought his side has scored a winner late on, the linesman decided not so and Kevin Henderson was left very annoyed. A point though still wasn't a disaster as results elsewhere kept Hartlepool in 7th spot, though still just 2 points ahead of Plymouth, Carlisle and York. With Lincoln and Chesterfield secure of their promotion, the focus was now very much who would play whom in the play-offs.

retired_embartl

The Play Off Scene

The last day win over Shrewsbury had actually propelled Hartlepool into 6th which in Ryan's eyes was a definite blessing. They were away to Rochdale in the first leg - and they would have been at Mansfield - a side he detested playing against had Kidderminster won their match. The two meetings showed this to be a very even contest - with Hartlepool having won the home match 1-0 and lost the match at Rochdale 2-1 in the league, so it was very difficult to predict which way this one would turn out. With just a week to prepare everyone was getting rathe excited. Clara rang to offer her congratulations, "told-you-so" rubbish that women always come up with, before Ryan joined his faithful mates down the local for a swift one.

[i]" Wahey! Cheers to reaching the play-offs mate! Well done!"

"Thanks Bry, well we're not done yet eh? I think we can do it now. Just need belief - that's what Clara said."

"Aye she did. Good lass that there, you lucky swine."

"Indeed she is Geoff. So is there anything you're seeing that you think I might be missing?"

"She has a pert arse?"

"The football Bryan! The football!"

"Ha ha, oh right. Well not particularly. Rochdale will be a tough lot - even if it is a much better draw than Mansfield. Attack being the best form of defence has worked for you a fair bit during the season - that Chris Westwood's back now isn't he?"

"Yeah he got over his injury woes now so we can drop the oldies. I think that's the way I'll go to be honest. 5-3-2 first leg, 41212 for the second assuming we don't make a pigs ear of the first. All I want from Spotland is at least a goal,and at least a draw. Not unreasonable I think - though I know we'll have to be on top form and hopefully the lads will actually be focussing hard on winning, and not getting down the bookies making any presumptions."

"They did that?!" Yeah, a couple did for the Cardiff match. Tw*ts. There'll be none of that nonsense with me about that's for sure."

"You thought of summer plans yet then for the club Geoff?"

Nah, not particularly. I'll send packing anyone who's not worth it - but it's difficult until I know what league we're going to be in. I know the chairman is just delighted we're in the play-offs, and most of the fans seemed pleased enough with that but we should set our sights high"

"Ah fair enough."

"So Bry, I hear you're actually releasing single now?!"

---

It didn't take long for the big day to arrive and the trip to Spotland. Tony Williams and Paul were still both out, and probably for the play-off final too should the side make it that far. Therefore an unchanged side from the Shrewsbury match took to the field with hopes of bringing back a useful result to Victoria Park. Rochdale certainly made the better start though and confident defending and goalkeeping was required. However disaster struck on 26 minutes when Scott Oakes was sent free into the area. He tried to go around Hollund, but the referee saw a trip, sent off Hollund and awarded a penalty.

Jerry Gill was the unfortunate man to don the gloves between the sticks as Ryan feared the worst - the dream suddenly seemed more unrealistic by the second. David Flitcroft converted and the hosts wer in full charge now with a man advantage and the momentum. It was lucky therefore that only 5 minutes later on a counter attack Paul Arnison levelled the scores when he picked up a free ball and fired in. Hope restored again., With only 10 minutes to go before half time, Ryan sensed a chance to calm the chaos and settle the side- but two goals from Scott Oakes and Tony Ellis soon put paid to that, and an igonominous exit from the play-offs - barring a remarkeable home leg seemed inevitable. In the second half Richard Uburd was sent off for the hosts, which at least disrupted their rythym, preventing any further damage, but even so it would now be an uphill struggle.

retired_embartl

Now the situation required serious thought. Martin Hollund was available for the second leg which was all Ryan could focus on right now - how to turn around the 3-1. Clinical penetration was essential, whilst leaving too many gaps that could be exploited. Kidderminster's 1-1 draw at Mansfield offered renewed hope too as Kiddy were certainly the more beatable opponents should they make the final. What the players needed was motivation - what they got was Clara Danes giving them a pep talk for the match. Whether it worked or simply got them aroused, the players still left their changing rooms with smiles on their faces full of optimism - and Ryan wondered how she did it.

The visitors with their cushioned lead in place started the faster side, with confidence brimming they pushed back Hartlepool for the first 20 or so minutes as it was all Ryan's men could do to restrict them to tame long range shots. After about the 4th or 5th miss though, Rochdale began to sit back, and the home side were given more freedom to play their own game - and this worked well as in the 28th minute hope was restored through a Lee Fitzpatrick goal and now the side were only 1 more away from levelling the tie on aggregate.

Pressure came thick and fast, with little success. In the second half, Rochdale upped the ante, with their attacking play proving a little too much for the tired defence at times and Martin Hollund had barely a moment's rest. Changes were made, and fresh legs were brought on as Ryan's men desperately sought that elusive second goal. With 6 minutes remaining, a Lee Fitzpatrick corner was knocked back to Leo Fortune West - the striker struck it well - but it hit the crossbar and flew into the crowd - and that was that. The final whistle soon arrived, consigning Hartlepool to another season of division 3 football.

"Oh come on Ryan, you gave it your best shot - hell it was always going to be difficult after that first leg, and look Rochdale are a decent side, they've beaten Kiddy in the final so yo don't have to worry about them anymore!"

"Lads, I know you mean well, but I'm just not in the mood. I'm a winner - not a loser - that loss hurt, and as much as my players have put in some right shoddy performances this year, I still feel as though I've let the fans down."

"Oh shut up ya daft idiot. The fans still love you, so do the board - it was a gut wrencher to lose but you'll learn - you'll be a better man for it."

"I know that! Stop patronising me for f*cks sake! There's work to do I know but I'm having a break - I'[m going to Derbyshire for a few weeks to take my mind off things. But I'll be back soon - players to be shipped out, players to find and come in. Now give me another drink, and not a pint - a double whisky an ice please."


The season had ended then with extreme dissapointment at the club's failure not to go up, but hopes were high of more luck the following season. With new players the club certainly would stand a decent shout.

Results:

[i] Rochdale 3 Hartlepool 1 (Flitcroft pen 26, Oakes 36, Ellis 39; Arnison 30)
Hartlepool 1 Rochdale 0 (Fitzpatrick 22)

End of 2000-2001 Season

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">============================================= ================================================== = 2000/1 Senior Club Stats============================================= ================================================== =No Name Apps Gls Con Pens Asts Yel Red MoM Av R--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 Arnison, Paul 32 (9) 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 6.73 30 Barker, Rory 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.00 12 Bishop, James 16 (12) 5 0 0 2 1 0 0 6.32 5 Blades, Paul 30 (7) 1 0 0 0 4 1 1 6.95 8 Boyd, Adam 15 (20) 7 0 2 (1) 2 2 0 4 6.89 3 Clark, Ian 42 (1) 4 0 0 4 2 0 3 7.21 18 Fitzpatrick, Lee 48 (3) 4 0 0 12 9 0 5 6.96 10 Fortune-West, Leo 46 (6) 25 0 0 6 4 0 11 7.44 31 Gill, Jerry 21 (3) 1 4 0 3 2 0 0 7.00 22 Hansen, Endre 23 (5) 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 6.89 21 Henderson, Kevin 29 (10) 7 0 0 4 1 0 0 7.00 1 Hollund, Martin 42 0 53 0 0 0 1 1 7.31 11 Johnson, Philip 3 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7.25 20 Jørgensen, Kenneth 19 (11) 6 0 0 4 0 0 1 6.60 - Lee, Graeme - - - - - - - - ---- 9 Lormor, Tony 27 (7) 6 0 0 3 0 0 1 6.85 24 Lynch, Aidan 4 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.40 19 McAvoy, Andy 7 (10) 1 0 1 (1) 1 0 0 0 6.47 27 Newman, Michael 0 (4) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.50 4 Plummer, Chris 34 (1) 2 0 1 (1) 2 3 1 1 6.94 29 Porter, Chris - - - - - - - - ---- 32 Provett, Jim - - - - - - - - ---- 28 Robinson, Mark 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7.33 13 Shilton, Sam 20 (11) 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 6.87 25 Southall, Neville 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5.00 14 Stephenson, Paul 40 (5) 11 0 0 8 2 0 1 7.07 6 Strodder, Gary 34 (1) 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 6.69 15 Tennebø, Thomas 10 (3) 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 6.92 26 West, Colin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.00 16 Westwood, Chris 49 (1) 1 0 0 1 4 0 2 6.80 17 Williams, Tony 18 0 28 0 0 0 1 1 7.06 </pre>

retired_jkat116

Those flamin' playoffs :thdn:

Good effort though KUTGW next season, I'm enjoying this one

enjikari

Hard luck BoN!

Roll on the title this season though :thup:

retired_embartl

cheers lads, it was a bit of a bugger losing out like that.

June 2001

Ryan spent a welcome early part of the month with Clara down in Derbyshire as their relationship grew stronger, and they took a trip to Cornwall for a short spell on the beach before the school holidays arrived and hell broke loose, but inevitably football came a calling once more and Ryan was heading back up north to sort out his squad of half good, half crap players. With little money it would of course be difficult, so the scouts were sent off to check out a few clubs season videos and off abroad where football was still being played, to help Ryan sort it out. A midfielder and a couple of central defenders were immediate priorities for the club, whilst James Bishops non-promotion clause was now activated leaving him open to attack from above.

An ambitious bid was placed for the recently released Teddy Sheringham, but the strikers wage demands were the stumbling block, though it was somewhat surprising to see the 34-year old consider such a drop in leagues in the first place. The forgotten mad Graeme Lee returned from his long spell on the sidelines and he'd provide some decent back up to the defence, but still there was plenty of work to be done before a side capable of promotion would fit together. Before Ryan really focussed on his side again there was good news as James Bishop did sign a new contract eradicating a clause he knew little about anyway thank god.

As pre-season was getting under way, Ken popped his head into Ryan's office for a wee chat.

"Hello there Ryan, how's business? Found some players?"

"Well there's a couple of loan players I've put offers in for - both from Premiership sides actually. I'm optimistic of getting them. Michael Standing and Jonathan Bewers - they're a couple of Aston Villa lads - one's a very good central midfielder - the other's a central defender with talent - they'll not make it at that level but I think they'd be excellent for us."

"Good! Good! What about wages?"

"We wouldn't pay - John Gregory's a decent bloke and he forced that arse Ellis not to be so stingy this time.I'm fairly confident they'll come. Mickey was at Hull last year and he enjoyed it then, so I don't see why not."

"Ok - what about permanent ones then - I assume I'll be hearing a few requests in the future?"

"Aye, there'll hopefully be a couple - you know that Chris Greenacre lad at Mansfield?"

"Ah yes - the little scourge."

"Well he's got a non promo clause too - and I think it's affordable - I'd love to see if we can try for him, Ken."

"OK Ry, I'll see what I can do. Anyone else?"

"Not yet - nothing concrete, but we'll have to replace the outgoing players. I told Andy McAvoy he could sod off too. He's 21 and just not good enough at all - and then Sam Shilton will be off..."

"Ah so the irksome one's not staying then?"

"Nope and good riddance. He wasn't that good in the last few months anyway. His contract's up soon but Luton for some reason couldn't wait and they've offered him a deal. I think we'll get around 90k compensation if he joins - which will come in handy. Paul Blades and Gary Strodder - they're both quitting now, though Paul's obviously still staying as a coach - dunno what Gary's got in his plans... and well that's about it for now, chief."

"Right you are, well good luck with that. I was popping over here just to say well done for last season. I know it probably doesn't fee like it to you, a natural winner, but I was pleased - it was an excellent season for us and now the fans can see us moving in the right direction. Don't worry there's no expectation of promotion this year either - just another good solid finish - though with a little luck who knows eh?"

"Well thanks Ken, but I really do hope we can go up this year! It'll be good for the clubs, fans and the community."

"I know Ryan, but let's not get carried away eh. You know you remind me of a very well known footballing manager who started off here too... I wish you luck. Anyway I'll go off and start chasing up that Greenacre lad then. See you later Ryan. "

The chairman left and Ryan started thinking about more targets - in truth Greenacre was unlikely to join - he liked Mansfield and wasn't really going to consider a move to his rivals but it was worth a shot. An email suddenly popped up on the screen - Shilt's agent - now Rotherham had made a bid. He was definitely leaving then. Still at least in a few days David Dunn would be joining - his compensation see was a hefty one but it'd be worth it to get that lad in.

retired_embartl

The days passed fairly quickly from one to the next, and seeing clubs across the land selling and buying by the dozen made Ryan a little envious - perhaps he should have prepared his signings a little earlier. Wolves had a bid for Tony Williams rejected, with the keeper surprisingly open minded about the decision as he thought he'd rather stay and prove himself which was a bonus though it did get Ryan thinking about another Wolves player - Tony Dinning, the defensive player was wanting to leave the second division club, and though a little pricey he was definitely talented. A quick fax through to Ken of the club and players details would hopefully see that playing come in - he'd boost the defence, and add support to Lee in the middle.

4 days later and Ryan had the call he wanted, Ken had sorted out terms with the club and player, now all he had to do was put pen to paper - the official unveiling would happen later that week. He'd cost 240k, though at least the payments were spread out across the next few months. Not wanting to blow his seasons budget too early, Ryan kept a cautious eye on other prospective players. His loan signings had arrived in good faith - with Standing for the season, and Bewers until Christmas - however if Ryan saw a better option available - Jon would heading back fairly swiftly.

Tommy Miller, Keith Knobbs, Martin Scott and Ryan all went into motor mode in search of new talent amid the the pre-season warm up and tour of Scotland in mid July. Ryan wanted his squad more or less complete before then.


Pre-Season Tour

With further additions including Paul Furlong, Kevin Dawason, a young trialist and a talented young Swede, Hartlepool headed up to The Land That Time Forgot, also known as Scotland. The first match was a rather easy affair as the players worked off their holiday fat with a 4-1 win over Royal Albert. The match wasn't that straight forward, and a few silly errors nearly let the non-leaguers in on too many occasions for Ryan's liking but a solid job was done, with the two trialists, Paul Furlong and Kevin Dawson impressing, the former scoring the third goal.

The tour suffered a slight hitch when Ken accidentally agreed to a friendly with Wycombe halfway through which would mean a stupid 11 hour bus journey all the way south again for one match, followed by another 11 hour trip back. However, before that pointlessness, there was a match at 3rd division Elgin City first of all. A few changes to personnel were made to accomodate a few of the young ones, as another exercise in match fitness followed. It was a much tougher affair indeed and Elgin were worth the leads they took twice but Hartlepool despite making several changes came back to win it. Michael Standing putting in an excellent performance and Paul Furlong netting the winner.

On the subsequent depressing drive down through a clogged Britain, Ryan received a call from Port Vale. They wanted Martin Hollund - and they offered 40k. Ryan then said to hold the line, whilst he spoke to Martin in person about it, which they did, but Ryan just left his phone lying open on the seat next to him for half an hour - though it was unlikely Port Vale had held on that long. Chris Westwood came for a chat too, and asked for an improved contract - Ryan was willing to oblige, phoned Ken back at the club, and asked him to draw up an offer. They picked up the draft on the way down to Wycombe, and Chris subsequently rejected it. Right, ok. The game itself ended in a victory in another match dominated by the profusion of substitutions but another goal for Paul Furlong had Ryan convinced he was worth trying to sign. Kevin Henderson nabbed the winner.

Back up in Scotland, the boys ground out a well earned 1-1 draw with Queen's Park - though if David Dunn, the side's goal scorer knew how to take a penalty Hartlepool would have won - he missed two. Jonathan Bewers was another positive too as Ryan immediately had the impression his team were more suited to a promotion campaign second time around. The final tour match at Stenhousemuir would be the last chance to test the new players out and make anyu judgements over Paul and Kevin Dawson - the latter still needing a strong performance to convince the staff. Before that though Ryan was pleased to be joined by Tony Mowbray from Ipswich, the defender would prove cover whilst mostly adding some quality experience to the back room staff. The match ended 3-1 with a solid debut for Jim Provitt in goal, and a promising performance from young striker Philip Johnson.


Players In:

David Dunn, 21, MC, Blackburn, bos(240k)
Tony Dinning,26, D/DMC, Wolves, 240k
Ole Broden, 20, AMC, Trelleborg 20k.
Tony Mowbray 38,DC, Ipswich free

Players Out:

Andy McAvoy,21, AMR, Don't Care, free
Tommy Tennebo, 27, MLC, Rochdale, bosman
Sam Shilton, 22 Luton, 90k.


Results:

Royal Albert 1 Hartlepool 4 (McPherson 6; Dinning 5, Fortune West 34, Furlong 62, Newman 88)
Elgin City 2 Hartlepool 3 (Munro 2,54; Standing 23 60, Furlong 69)
Wycombe 1 Hartlepool 2 (Baird 16; Furlong 48, Henderso 87)
Queens Park 1 Hartlepool 1 (Moore 37, Dunn 45, Dunn m/p 46,50)
Stenhousemuir 1 Hartlepool 3 (Watt 25; Fortune West 13, Boyd pen 67, Johnson 82)

mrsevans7177

Is Dunn any good on 00/01? Anyways bad luck with those playoffs mate, KUTGW

retired_confal2

Some of the dialogue in this is excellent :thup:

Looking forward to finding out whether you can achieve promotion this season. All the best

enjikari

Not a bad pre-season there. Good luck with the season :thup: