Hartlepool United crisis: Jeff Stelling welcomes Middlesbrough fans' support amid club's administration threat
The Pools president and Sky Sports anchorman admits it's great to see North-east football supporters uniting in a bid to save the club
By Jonathon Taylor
11 JAN 2018
Hartlepool United president and Sky Sports anchorman Jeff Stelling admits it's great to see North-east football supporters trying to unite in a bid to save the club.
Boro fans have been quick to show support for their under-fire neighbours amid claims that Pools may be just a fortnight away from a disastrous administration.
Back in 1986 when Ayresome Park was padlocked, Boro faced expulsion from the Football League if they did not fulfil their opening Division Three fixture against Port Vale and Hartlepool stepped in to allow the game to be staged at Victoria Park.
Now 32 years on, it is Hartlepool who face a race against time to avoid potential administration - and hoards of Boro fans have pledged to turn out for a “Save Pools Day” when Craig Harrison's side host Wrexham on 20 January.
That show of unity has been applauded by lifelong Pools fan Stelling, who hopes to see Victoria Park packed-out for next weekend's vital clash.
"As a fan it’s alarming, dismaying; it’s the worst thing that can happen to your football club,” Stelling told the Hartlepool Mail.
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“I have been going since the sixties. Of course there has been other crises but certainly in recent times this is the worst. I feel very much for the staff who work there.”
“It’s great that the supporters are rallying round. Anything they can do has got to be good.
“Let’s fill the ground as we did for the Doncaster game last season and get the same sort of atmosphere going as we did then.
“Let’s put some money into the coffers and get some points on he board. Both those are going to be important.”
There is a sizeable Boro contingent in the Pools ranks this season with ex-defender Harrison in charge, while he is assisted by former long-serving Hurworth coach Paul Jenkins and one-time Riverside regular Matthew Bates.
Fans hope to raise enough cash through “Save Pools Day” and a series of fund-raisers to keep the club going until the ongoing ownership issue can be resolved and new investment secured.
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