Founded: 1881
Nicknames: The Pool, The Monkey Hangers
Home Kit: O’NEILLS Blue and white stripes, blue shorts, blue socks
Away Kit: O’NEILLS Red and black stripes, black shorts, black socks

Born out of West Hartlepool Amateurs in 1881, the fledgling club graced the amateur game with reasonable success, before a name change led Hartlepool United to be formed as a professional outfit in 1908. In August 1921, the Durham club played their first ever League game and came away with a 2-0 win over Wrexham.

The interesting nickname ‘The Monkey Hangers’ derives back from the Napoleonic Wars. A shipwreck washed up on the shore of Hartlepool with the soul survivor that of a monkey, dressed in French naval uniform for the crew’s entertainment. Unable to communicate (for obvious reasons) the locals, who had never seen a monkey or a Frenchman before, hanged the monkey on suspicion of being a French spy and today a mural to the Monkey is located on the marina. United’s mascot is also called H’Angus the Monkey

In 1965 a young managerial duo of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor took the reins at Victoria Park and stayed for two years before famously moving to the midlands with Derby County. During the rest of the 20^th Century, Hartlepool’s on-pitch antics were rather uneventful. After several ownership switchers, the turn of the century brought hope into the Hartlepool fanbase. The future of Four play-off campaigns in five years were accompanied with a 21 game unbeaten streak, earning then Boss Chris Turner the Manager of the Month. Despite being knocking on the door of the second tier for much of the decade, Pools were relegated to League Two in 2006.

Despite a swift return to League One, United failed to challenge for promotion again, dropping into League Two in 2014, then into non-league in 2017, for the first time in 97 years. Last season though, the play-off hoodoo was over for Hartlepool. A penalty shootout victory over Torquay United at Ashton Gate ensured Pools’ revival to the Football League, and they’ll be confident to challenge the better sides in the division next season.

Northampton 1 Walsall 1 – Papa Johns Troph

Defender Dominic Revan, on-loan from Aston Villa, made his Northampton Town debut as boss Jon Brady made seven changes for the Papa John’s Trophy fixture against Walsall.

On a blustery night at Sixfields the Saddlers, managed by one-time Cobblers player Matt Taylor, scored an early goal, Emmanuel Osadebe slotting home after being played in by Brendan Kiernan.

Dylan Connolly had his appeal for a penalty turned down after a challenge by Alfie Bates saw the winger go down in the area before George Miller, under pressure from Revan, saw a shot saved by Jonny Maxted.

Mitch Pinnock curled a free-kick just over the bar, Jordan Flores had a shot blocked and Kion Etete headed wide as the Cobblers pressed in vain for an equaliser before half-time.

Connolly and Pinnock combined to set up a chance for Etete at the start of the second half but the on-loan Spurs striker was denied by a good save from Jack Rose. The Saddlers keeper was also tested by Pinnock and Flores saw an effort deflected behind before Brady made a triple change, bringing on Max Dyche, Shaun McWilliams and Benny Ashley-Seal.

The Cobblers were awarded a penalty when Etete was brought down by Manny Monthe and Dylan Connolly stepped up to score from the spot, sending Rose the wrong way. Tyrese Shade then had a chance to restore the visitors lead but failed to find the target after being played in on goal one-on-one with Maxted.

Etete was denied a late winner when Rose saved with his legs and as in the Cobblers first group game against Forest Green Rovers there was to be a penalty shoot-out to determine which side would pick up an additional point.

Tranmere 2 Salford 0- Leauge Two

Pools win on penalties and claim two points in a wet and windy Papa Johns tie.blob:https://cobblerspast.com/24999428-b5aa-4f5c-980b-917268c73ad7

Pools dominated the opening of the first half and had a golden opportunity just three minutes in. Mark Cullen raced through one on one but had his effort saved in what should have seen Pools ahead.

Pools were rewarded for their good start as Cook gained himself some space on the right hand side with some clever footwork. He then gave the ball to Maty Daly who smashed home to make it 1-0 to Dave Challinor men.

Pools continued on the front foot and continued to deliver the ball into the box. Twenty five minutes gone and Cullen had an acrobatic effort blocked.

Thirty two minutes gone and completely against the run of play, Morecambe were level. One throw in and McLaughlin was in, he lobbed Mitchell and levelled the game with a really smart finish. Ferguson was chasing back but unable to keep the ball out of play.

Morecambe very suddenly grew into the game and just six minutes later, Ayunga found himself inside the area, trying to recover, Ogle pulled on his shirt and the referee gave the penalty. Jones stepped up and calmly placed the ball past Mitchell to put the Shrimps ahead.

Pools started the second half the stronger side. After 53 minutes, Pools had a corner ball which fell to Byrne at the backpost who somehow missed from around three yards out.

Will Goodwin continued to have luck down the right handside with a few testing balls into the area but Morecambe continued to defend their lead.

Pools’ persistence paid off after 84 minutes with Dave Challinors side getting back into the game! The substitute Luke Molyneux ran towards the Shrimps defence, slid the ball across and Daly was there once again to smash the ball home for his and Pools’ second.

In the last seconds of the game, Molyneux created danger again as he slid the ball into Fondop, who was then taken down and the referee gave the penalty! Molyneux stepped up and hit the cross-bar.

The game went to penalties! Daly, Molyneux, Ferguson and Crawford all scored for Pools with Morecambe missing two. Pools win and take two points!

SAT 27 FEB 2016 LEAGUE TWO Hartlepool United 0 The Cobblers 0

Northampton Town’s run of 10 successive wins was brought to a halt by struggling Hartlepool United.

Hartlepool’s Luke James fired the game’s first chance wide, as they took the fight to the League Two leaders.

Northampton had to rely on committed defending to keep the hosts at bay, with James and Billy Paynter having efforts blocked.

Paynter went close to winning the game when his effort deflected wide but Northampton held on for a point.

Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder tells BBC Radio Northampton:

“You have to give Hartlepool a load of credit because we are there to be shot at.

“To win 10 games of football at any level is an unbelievable achievement.

“It was a tough afternoon and I thought a draw was a fair result and we move on to the next game.

“We’ve picked up four points from our last two games and everyone knows if you keep doing that you will go up and probably win the league.”

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	F	A
67	28	15	24	99	89

He has had 11 games this season, giving 23 yellows and 1 red so far. His last cobblers game was the 1-0 away defeat to Wimbledon last season.

Richard Bartlett and Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official : Ivan Stankovic

Hartlepool are unbeaten in four home games against Northampton in the Football League (W3 D1), with this their first since a goalless draw in February 2016.
Northampton have only lost one of their last five league meetings with Hartlepool (W3 D1), going down 1-0 in February 2015.
Hartlepool United have won more home points than any other side in League Two so far this season, with 13 of their 14 total points this term coming at Victoria Park.
Only Forest Green Rovers (2) and Tranmere Rovers (2) have conceded fewer away goals in League Two this season than Northampton (3)..