To be where we are, considering the big traditional league clubs in the national league, Wrexham, Halifax, Cheaterfield, Stockport County etc, how many of those clubs would take 30 points in league 2 just over half way through the season, semi finalists in what is our comparative Cup competition and playing in the 4th round of FA cup in London. Come on, we are in great shape, considering where we were, we have to be proud, I am. I play 5 a side in Belfast twice a week and wear my Hartlepool top, everyone I know in Belfast knows I'm Hartlepool and take the piss and I've had little to shout about the last few years, now I have...I'm proud as. PTID

Apart from the Durham Senior Cup I don't think Pools were ever semi-finalists in anything before tonight. Certainly not in the 50 years I've been supporting them.

So I'm proud, pleased as punch and proper tickled pink!

Sunderland Ship Owners Cup

When you put it like that YES - DAMN PROUD !

the fact that we almost bottled a playoff space last year to be playing Crystal Palace in their own back yard in the 4th round is unreal - anything can happen in Football and it just shows. What a great start for Pools its been back in the League. The cup run money will probably shape our whole season next year id hope. Be the difference in a promotion push if the money is put back into the team.

We had our reserves in The Ship Owners Cup and I watched us win it at the Vic some time in the early 70s. Dunno if we won it more than once.

Good to put things into perspective.
When I first started supporting Pools with any income from player sales (Terry Bell, Bill Green) you accepted the money was keeping the club alive on a day to day basis, never crossed our minds we could afford to hang on to them, it was hand to mouth, but that was the norm then, surviving.

One of our less popular former Chairman said "We are a shop window club." I still think this is true and it isn't just about money. If a young Pools player heard Man U were interested in them, why would they want to stay at Pools? We all know this in our heart of hearts but we still keep the faith because few things in life feel better than a Pools win.

If anybody had said to me last January that, in twelve months time, we would be in league two, the semis of the Pizza Pot and the fourth round of the FA Cup having taken on six league one clubs and a championship club on the way and preparing to take on a premiership club, I would have put them down to be inhabitants of the funny farm.
Sure we should be proud and grateful to the man who snatched us from oblivion and got us in that position.
What has been achieved by Raj Singh in so short a time is nothing short of phenomenal.

Aslong as we keep producing talent and shipping them off for profits like Brad Young - the clubs alive and healthy and staying in the League - long live the shop window. For we will see and it will happen that the mighty millionaire playboy clubs farming their way into the leagues and above will one day bugger off and become nothing more than memories in their 100 or so fans (until the next thing comes along). Hartlepool utd how ever will still be here with hopefully and even mightier following !

just need to top this week off with a stella signing now!

I am chuffed.

Apologies for missing off the big one

well said derwent... could not agree more ...

"Sure we should be proud and grateful to the man who snatched us from oblivion and got us in that position.
What has been achieved by Raj Singh in so short a time is nothing short of phenomenal"

raj...the true messiah......

And let's not forget that we owed Sage £1.2million, most of which is probably still outstanding unless Raj has taken over some of it. Anybody have a clue to what is now owed, & to whom?

Forget the last bit, as I've just read the "So" thread

would not go as far as you and derwent, but the guy does not deserve all the shit he does get. doubt any owner gets 100 per cent support from the fans whoever they are.

It's fantastic to get this far in the Pizza Cup. It was a great atmosphere again and it was a proud moment

I was talking to a Rotherham fan last night and he was complaining about still being in the Pizza Cup. He wasn't happy with their general form and performances and blamed the Pizza cup run for that. I just shook my head and when he said "you need shake your head" I replied, "no you need to shake yours.

To a club like ours it's a big deal and it might just carry us through to a wonderful day out

Absolutely.

Hopefully their manager and players will feel the same way as him if they have to play Pools at the Vic in the semi-final.

Most important thing for us is a home draw no matter who we get.

Paul Warne wants to get promoted for sure but he also wants a trip to Wembley. I can't understand any fan who frowns on a competition that ends up with a day out at Wembley. I thought the fan was kidding but soon realised he was deadly serious. I've noticed Donny fans are getting a bit anxious and have lost their swagger, especially when I point out that we have a better performance against League one sides than them this season.

Donny fans should be worried - they have just signed a GK who couldnt get our not so consistent keeper out of the No.1 spot. Thought Mitchell would get more chances tbh and become our No.1.

anyways its the cash that means more than anything atm progressing in this cup - plus its nice to say again for the second season running we are in the Semis of something.

All credit due to Raj for saving the club, however things have now moved on and he should be spending on a decent signing as he promised with the budget held back from the summer and be a bit more transparent with his plans going forward or sell to someone with the money to do so.

Yeah things have moved on. We have competed admirably in two of our eligible cup competitions, gathering much need finances along the way.
Plans are being discussed for improving the ground, Arrangements are in place to reduce our debt and maintain future financial stability.
We have various sponsors and partners now in place where we were sparse previously.
We have new additions to behind the scenes staff with a view of maximising our income streams and developing new ones.
The club is actively exploring every avenue of player recruitment and retention and our results of those efforts can be judged on Tuesday next.
Attendances are up on recent years.
It is fairly transparent that the club has moved forward and is working through it's list of priorities.
Fans are clamouring for action in the player recruitment market but it has to be the right investment and not knee jerky. That knee Jerk attitude prior to this season hasn't served us well and we have to learn from that.
As for selling the club. The chairman has always indicated that any offer of purchase will be taken seriously and given full attention, as is any approach by potential investors.
The best way for anybody to get their ideas, beliefs and recommendations fulfilled is to buy the club and pursue same.
The rest of us are in the hands of whoever the owners are at any given time.
Abuse, criticism, demanding somebody else to spend their money as and how fans decree is, has been and always will be, a non starter.
That is the reality of the situation.

derwent....exquisite response.....k.o....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqegpn5evk

Who is this ‘ someone’ to sell to with the money to do so........ YOU!
The streets are heaving with itinerant millionaires looking to invest in lower league football teams, desperate to spray cash over every part of the club.