Over the years how can the Hartlepool mail get get things so wrong. Yesterday morning Oates is resigning hours later he signs for Mansfield. We are told Carson is returning only for him to sign for Dundee United. Better to write nothing than this fantasy garbage or get yourselves a more reliable source.

Think the source for Oates re-signing was Dave Challinor. Look at his comments on the OS - he's obviously really pissed off with Rhys and practically accuses him of acting in an underhand way (though his agent was more likely the one doing the double dealing).

If you look at the first post on the Carson thread, the story that he was signing for Pools came from the72 website, not the Mail...

Not suggesting the Fail hasn't got plenty wrong on it's own account over the years!

The rumour for Carson originated from Twitter from a general transfer rumour page. For me it always seemed unlikely.

The Mail are a horrible, horrible paper though. From the bombardment of adverts online to the completely unrelated nonsense inside the actual paper. And even when you get to the articles they're awful, TOP 10 NIGHT CLUB PICTURES FROM 2005!

How about Top 10 Things The Mail Said Would Happen That Didn't?

The circulation of printed copies of local papers is miniscule these days and the online ads are what just about keeps them going. They'll be history soon enough and then we'll be totally reliant on Twitter and other social media for 'news' about little clubs like HUFC.

think the mail is no worse than the other local papers that are actually left. actually a good news story is when they get something right.

True, and that's certainly the case online where "clickbait" articles have became the norm.

We could do with a local Paper. They don’t even have a bleeding office in the town, they left the town years ago. It’s an expensive advertising sheet.

Challinor was the source for the Oates re-signing comment and has also confirmed that an offer was made to Carson.

Challinor really should get himself a better source…

It's amazing how it's changed. As a kid the Mail was in every house, every day. Anyone getting in trouble and in court for instance would know that the whole town would be aware of it. Now, I'd be surprised if they sold more than a couple of thousand a day.

could not wait to buy one every time i came back up to the town. only time i read a copy now is if someone had left there,s in a cafe or somewhere.

When I was a young lad coming in on the TMS with my mates to see Pools there was half an hour or so to kill at the bus station before the next bus back home. Most times we could buy a Green 'Un before the bus left to check the results in the other games. It was almost as much fun as being at the match.

those certainly where the days. everyone did the football pools, half time score boards, watching the teleprinter and the results coming in, buying the pink or green un depending where you lived to check the results yet again and league tables. then for me after i moved hoping to get into an ex LNER carriage home and a steam engine pulling it. in the early 60,s pools would occasionally win just to make life seem worthwhile in your kids eyes and mind.