Well just shout to set off and I don't think I've ever had so many mixed emotions going into a pools match from nervousness as none of us want to go down excitement as there a small piece of my heart believes we might just sneak our way out of this to the usual well we've had all season and we're in this position because over the season we deserve to be there due all the things that been debated over the last few weeks. Don't really know what this posts about but just had to write something as I feel physically sick waiting for my lift.
Come on Pools 109 years means a you know...........

I can't think rationally about it all.

Going to work today and I'll be in a dazed, zombie mode all day.

Just for fucks sake lads step up and do it for yourselves, the club, the town and for us. Don't let me have to come home tonight to an 8 year old boy who is heartbroken and devastated by relegation.

But more over don't give that fat scouse prick the satisfaction of seeing us go down

Just about to set off myself.

Got that washing machine stomach thing going on.

I can't help but have hope. All the right words are coming from the players since fat Dave did one.

Please lads, just please.

I've never looked forward to a game less than this, I've been dreading it all week.

We need to embrace the nerves, fight for our lives and just hope!

The only good news is that Jones isn't picking the wrong team, playing the wrong tactics and eroding the confidence of the players.

The fans know most of the players can do better on their day - a few can do tons better than their recent performances. Not expecting anyone to hit top form like flicking a light switch, but if they play as a team and bust a gut for a result anything is possible.

I've got a rumbly tummy, butterflies an all that, but the PMA in me has hope since DJ left.

'We shall fight in Cheltenham, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our town whatever the cost may be. We shall fight at the Vic versus Donny, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!'.

This is the day I have thought about all my life, yet now it is here, I am not really that bothered. Obviously I want us to stay up, but the feeling is marginal, because I fear what will happen if we stay up, same again next season ? or maybe not, we could be relegated by April 2018. Whether we stay up or down, unless things change behind the scenes, a big clear out of players and a few signing of real quality, then I fear next weeks game v Donny could be my last.

Footballers of Hartlepool United expeditionary Force:

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the Jones defeatest machine, the elimination of Jones tyranny over oppressed peoples of Hartlepool, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 2017. Much has happened since the triumphs of 2005. The Pools have inflicted upon the Opposition great defeats in the past, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our faith has given us an overwhelming superiority in the determination and guile of the game, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of Hartlepool are marching together to victory.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

That's the spirit!!!!

It's Cheltenham not the Wehrmacht!
Their claim to fame is their Ladies College.

have you met the women from Cheltenham more SS than Wehrmacht!!!!

Yes, I married one.

With apologies to Henry V


We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed are lazy bastards
and shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon this fateful day.

Well that was the day that was I haven't read other comments so apologies for any repetition a bit more effort not too much quality can't see why last weeks chants were you're not fit to wear the shirts suddenly change into rapturous applause strange as I didn't see much improvement all I can say it is going to be a very sad day next Saturday 109 years for the club 39 years for me don't even want to think about the out pouring of emotions very very sad day apologies for any negativity

me since 1968....following my local club..proud despite everything ...remember always managers clough knowles turner wilson cooper... players pythian, bell, king ken ellis, bob newton, honour, allon, boydie, porter et al and richie....pinnacle cardiff....now this...just feel very sad and angry that after nearly a century as football league club it has come to this

Kindred spirit here people. My apologies for my various bunker ramblings. My defence is only like yours in that I care. Very saddened it has come to this. What a long (or probably short) week this one will be. In my case I go back to 1965 when as a young lad of 12 suddenly whisked away from Cornwall to Peterlee to live my dad from Houghton-Le-Spring and Sunderland through and through did his best to get me to follow but his mistake was to take me to Pools at the time Brian Clough took over and it was then I became proud to become an honorary Poolie. Back in Cornwall now and had a life of army, travelling and constant jibes, jokes and jeering as soon as I mentioned what football team I support. Jeff Stelling has in recent years eased the pain because he is so well known by other fans including all the plastics and taunts have turned to surprise and even some "good on yer's". I love Hartlepool, both towns, the football club, the people, all my old drinking haunts, the old steel works where I did a bit and this is just a pouring from the heart like you lot I suppose. Its unthinkable that it's all come down to this one game. In the old days and almost it seemed annual re-election battles there was always the feeling that our big mates in the old first and second division ie Arsenal, Sunderland etc would vote us back in. Now as we totter on the precipice I keep thinking of our old scouse rivals Tranny Rovers and Wrexham, and more sadly Barrow, Darlo and Stockport. As someone on here said recently that they look at Tranmere Rovers and all the points they have amassed and still they didn't go up automatically. Sorry to bore, but I remember seeing Barrow play at Aldershot Town in 1972, their last season in the football league. How sad I felt for them when Hereford fucking united replaced them and older Poolies will know that there was talk at that time of Hereford wanting Pools' place in the league despite their denial. The lesson which only Pools' fans and not the players seemed to have grasped is these various clubs have shown the future for them. I think it was 1997 when Donny went bust and again I had great sympathy because they were one of our rivals of old. Now come this Saturday and, well we all know how things have turned out. Obviously no sympathy for these "dirty Yorkshire bastards" this Saturday, as we fondly used to chant when they and others got a decision against us. Best wishes to all Poolies everywhere and for giving me something in my life which was good, wholesome and worthwhile. I raised two sons now in their early 30s and late 20s who are Poolie supporters and will watch with probable sadness this weekend on a pub screen down here. Thank you Gary Coxhall. One day you might realise what its all about. Go fuck off back to wherever and watch Saafend or somebody. On the other hand don't. Give our Phill a break and don't fuck them over as well. Rant over and thanks.

A good read that!!!!