shannon2007

November/December 2004

But things did not get any better. November started with a 2-0 loss at Doncastor, followed by a rather surprising draw at home to Oldham. Ok so it wasnt really all that surprising to be honest. With a trip to Dagenham in the 1st round of the FA Cup, surely this was a match Hartlepool could win, but after 50 minutes it was 1-1 and you could almost feel the frustrations of the away support. Eifion Williams grabbed what turned out to be the winner, and Sheffield Wedensday would be the next opponents.

A draw with Huddersfield was followed by losses to Torquay and Bristol City and it was becoming more and more clear that Hartlepool were not going to get promoted And yet at home to Wednesday in the cup, it was almost like watching a different team as goals from Boyd, Flynn and Porter saw Hartlepool ease to a 3-1 win, and 3rd round trip to Leicester would be their reward.

Back in the League, yet another draw at Tranmere was followed by a very good win away to Bradford City, but once more this was to prove a false dawn as the year ended with draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Luton. Lying 19th in the table, things could surely only get better for the ageing Clough.

retired_besheeran

At least you're doing better in the cups then I am, though my league position is slightly better. Keep at it, and good luck

KUTGW

shannon2007

January/February2005

Juanuary arrived and so did Tó, or to give him his full name, Helton Samo Cuhna. The 24 year old has 14 caps for Mazambique and big things are expeced from him. With things looking none to hot in the league, Clough felt the need to turn to the transfer market once more. First though, he would need to sell and Richie Humphreys was offloaded to Coventry for £130,000 while Matthew Turner, who only arrived in the summer went to Brighton for £50,000.

In the way came 21 year old left back Alan Morgan from Blackburn (£6k), 24 year old midfielder Jon Paul McGovern from Sheffield Wednesday (£10k), 24 year old Northern Ireland International forward Andy Smith from Preston (£12k), who claimed that he would soon teach the Hartlepool fans a thing or two about football. Matthew Clarke, a 24 year old central defender arrived from Darlington for £9k, and finally Cypriot internation midfielder Marinos Satsias from APOEL for £16k.

Only Tó made his debut in the new years game against Luton, and an impressive one it was as he fired in a hattrick in a 3-1 win, and it seemed the Hartlepool support had a new hero. Adam Boyd who had been given the chance of a run thanks to Clough switching to two strikers, hit the only goal of a 1-1 draw away at Hull. Next up was the FA Cup Third round match away to Championship leaders Leicester city. Just under 27,000 provided gate reciepts of around £300k which was very welcome, and Tó provided the only goal as Hartlepool caused a famous upset and would now be at home to Scunthorpe in round 4.

Draws over MK Dons and Blackpool were the order of the day, before a quite remarkable FA Cup tie. By the hour mark, Hartlepool had raced to a 3-1 lead and things were looking rosey before a Matthew Clarke own goal let Scunthorpe back in, and eight minutes later, as Clough shouted in frustration, the tie was level. Just three minutes later though, Clarke made amends for his error as he scored what turned out to be the winner, and a trip to Elland Road, Leeds was the reward.

The new signings were certainly looking to make a difference, as 2-0 wins were achieved over Walsall and Peterborough, with Tó gaining a brace in the later match. A 2-2 draw at home to Port Vale was followed by two excellent 4-0 wins on the road at Stockport and Brentford and you could almost hear the sighs of relief around the town as the threat of relegation started to ease.

At home to Barnsley, the run was now an incredible 15 matches unbeaten in all competitions. It had to end eventually, and so it did as Barnsley won out 2-0. In Leeds, despite a brave effort, a 23rd minute seth Johnson goal was enough to to put Hartlepool out, but another 27,000 crowd brought in around another £300k and so in financial terms at least the run had been a huge success.

February ended with 2-0 wins over Chesterfield and Colchester that saw Clough's revamped side rise to 11th in the table, and indeed only five points off the play-offs. It seemed the old Clough magic was finally starting to work.......

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Sheff Wed | | 36 | 21 | 9 | 6 | 73 | 35 | +38 | 72 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Hull | | 36 | 19 | 12 | 5 | 57 | 26 | +31 | 69 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Luton | | 36 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 58 | 37 | +21 | 62 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Bristol C | | 36 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 55 | 52 | +3 | 59 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Oldham | | 35 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 43 | 24 | +19 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Tranmere | | 34 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 44 | 36 | +8 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Torquay | | 36 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 56 | 55 | +1 | 53 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Port Vale | | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 48 | 46 | +2 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Doncaster | | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 50 | 43 | +7 | 50 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Chesterfield | | 36 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 45 | 48 | -3 | 50 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Hartlepool | | 35 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 44 | 29 | +15 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Blackpool | | 36 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 56 | 43 | +13 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Brentford | | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 52 | 58 | -6 | 49 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Swindon | | 35 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 54 | 51 | +3 | 47 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Stockport | | 36 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 46 | 52 | -6 | 45 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Walsall | | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 40 | 50 | -10 | 45 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Colchester | | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 52 | 54 | -2 | 43 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Bradford City | | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 47 | 61 | -14 | 42 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | MK Dons | | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 37 | 50 | -13 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Peterborough | | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 30 | 45 | -15 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Huddersfield | | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 40 | 60 | -20 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Wrexham | | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 40 | 68 | -28 | 35 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Barnsley | | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 32 | 52 | -20 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Bournemouth | | 35 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 31 | 55 | -24 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

shannon2007

March/April 2005

Wins over Bournemouth and Doncaster pushed Hartlepool into the brink of the play offs, which in reality was quite a remarkable come back. Too many draws though was still a problem as four of the next five matches ended level, and only a loss to Bristol City interupted the flow. With matches running out, the play off hopes although still alive, were fading again.

A 1-0 win over fellow play-off chasers Tranmere re-kindled the Hartlepool supporters hopes, and Bradford City were seen off by 2-1. But there was bad news for the fans, who had seen their side just edge into 6th place ahead of Blackpool. Their last two matches were against the top 2 teams, Sheffield Wednesday away, and Champions Hull City at home. After a goalless first half, Andy Smith, who had been pretty dire so far, sent Hartlepool into a 66th minute lead in Sheffield, and an own goal from Graeme Lee in injury time assured them of a very vital win. With Blackpool only drawing, it would just take a draw at home to Hull to clinch that 6th spot. Not surprisingly, a draw it was as the match ended goalless.

Hartlepool's 24th draw of the season had seen them clinch what at one point had looked like a quite impossible play off place and now they stood just three games away from promotion.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Hull | | 46 | 26 | 14 | 6 | 78 | 33 | +45 | 92 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | Sheff Wed | | 46 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 88 | 47 | +41 | 89 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | Pl | Luton | | 46 | 19 | 20 | 7 | 72 | 48 | +24 | 77 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | Pl | Bristol C | | 46 | 22 | 8 | 16 | 68 | 67 | +1 | 74 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | Pl | Tranmere | | 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 | 66 | 49 | +17 | 73 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | Pl | Hartlepool | | 46 | 15 | 24 | 7 | 58 | 36 | +22 | 69 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Blackpool | | 46 | 16 | 20 | 10 | 72 | 52 | +20 | 68 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Swindon | | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 73 | 61 | +12 | 67 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Chesterfield | | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 58 | 59 | -1 | 67 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Oldham | | 46 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 48 | 37 | +11 | 66 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Doncaster | | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 61 | 56 | +5 | 62 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Stockport | | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 59 | 64 | -5 | 60 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Brentford | | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 66 | 79 | -13 | 59 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Barnsley | | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 54 | 58 | -4 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Torquay | | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 68 | 78 | -10 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Bradford City | | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 64 | 75 | -11 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Colchester | | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 67 | 69 | -2 | 57 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Port Vale | | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 56 | 65 | -9 | 55 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | MK Dons | | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 48 | 64 | -16 | 52 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Walsall | | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 48 | 67 | -19 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | R | Peterborough | | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 50 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | R | Huddersfield | | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 52 | 78 | -26 | 47 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | R | Wrexham | | 46 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 51 | 85 | -34 | 44 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | R | Bournemouth | | 46 | 9 | 12 | 25 | 44 | 72 | -28 | 39 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

shannon2007

May/June 2005

The Semi Final of the League One Play offs would see us play Luton, the side Tó had made his debut against. He hasd hit a hattrick in that match, and incredibly, this time he was to better that as he scored four. It seems Tó likes playing against Luton. Further goals from Strachan and Flynn gave Hartlepool an amazing 6-1 1st leg win, which Clough said was, 'Not too bad really'. A 1-0 loss in Luton wasnt of course enough for them, and in the final Hartlepool's opponents would be Bristol City.

City had won both the meetings in the League, but in Cardiff in front of 40,000 people it was a whole different ball game. A Mickey Bell own goal after just four minutes seem to deflate the Bristol side as a brace from Tó and another from Flynn sent Hartlepool in at the break 4-0 up. The second half was a non event, and even though Barry Roche threw the ball into the net with two minutes to play - his second own goal of the season - it was way to late and after flirting with relegation, Hartlepool had ended up being promoted. Arent the play offs a great idea!

With £1M to spend, thanks in the main to the great FA Cup run, Clough will no doubt strengthen a squad that having struggled for so long, will surely find the higher division a bridge way too far. Of course, thats always assuming Clough stays and doesnt bugger off to, oh lets see, Derby

Mike..

Bah, people leaving me behind already

Well done on a back-door promotion though

shannon2007

Thanks

tbh I've always thought the play offs were silly, but hey you cant refuse to play in them

shannon2007

The Squad 2005-2006

During the summer there were a few changes to the squad line up, mainly on the way in. Jim Provett had left in March to Hull for £14,000, and in the summer Konstantopoulos, Darrell Clarke and Tinkler had all been allowed to leave, their contracts having expired and not being good enough to be granted a new one. Michael Barron was sold to Scunthorpe for £3000.

Goalkeepers

Barry Roche (23) had had a decent enough season, but he would have to fight for his place with the arrival in the summer of 24 year old Cypriot keeper Constantinos Koumas from APOEL for £150,000. Twenty six year old Swede, Ola Tidman had arrived from Sheffield Wednesday in March as a replacement for Provett, but has yet to make his debut.

Defence

The right back slot was filled adequately by Joel Kitamirike, with Jack Ross proving a reasonably decent back up along with the departed Barron. During the summer, 28 year old Mark McGregor was brought in from Blackpool for £50,000 to add some depth.

Hugh Robertson had held the left back spot for most of the season, and had been a key figure in the promotion push. Alan Morgan, signed in January and John Brackstone had back up him adequately when needed and no new signings were deemed nessecary for this position.

The centre of the defence had perhaps been one of the weaker areas of the team. Matthew Clarke had done fairly well, but Simon Downer, Chris Westwood and Michael Nelson had seemed to struggle at times. Mark McGregor could of course now play here, and the signing of 31 year old Ian Pearce for £24,000 from Fulham was sure to add the needed experience that would hopefully help keep the club up.

Midfield

The role in front of the back four was filled in well by both Cypriot Marinos Satias and Steven Adams depending on who was fit and both players were deemed good enough for the coming season.

Further forward, youngster Daniel Fox had done exceptionally well, and Mike Flynn had contrinuted 9 goals. Gavin Strachan had been adequate, but Tom Williamson's appearances had been few and far between. In the summer three new midfielders arrived in the shape of Cypriot duo [/b] Kyriakos Koursaros[/b] (26) from AEL for £100k, and Giorgos Georgiou (27) from Paphos for £75k, along with Andora's Richard Imbernon Rios (30) for a fee of £18,000 from Sant Julia.

Jon Paul McGovern and Matty Robson no longer seemed to fit the style Clough wanted and they could leave if bids came in.

Forwards

Mozambiquean Tó had proven a revelation up front, and its true that his 22 goals from 26 games went a long way to securing the promotion. Neither Adam Boyd with 7 goals from 27 matches nor Andy Smith with four goals from 16 matches had proven decent partners for Tó and so 21 year old Spaniard Cristian was brought in from Barcelona for £170,000. He seemed a player who would delight the fans and they couldnt wait to see how he went beside To.

Australian Joel Porter remains at the club, but he is another who simply isnt good enough and will play little part in Clough's plans.

retired_embartl

Congrats on the promotion Guess it's just wait and wait eh?

shannon2007

Aye, the Derby job looks safe for a while, unless Burley gets a better offer. But im happy to wait and try and build my rep really